Can Dogs Have Turkey Neck Bones? A Complete Guide for Dog Owners

As hard as it might be to refuse those puppy dog eyes, it’s important to know which parts of the turkey are safe for a dog before sharing any. Have no fear, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) is here to help.

With the holiday season upon us, it is good to know which parts of the turkey are safe for a dog. If your dog is like most members of the canine species, he is probably at your side from the time the turkey goes in the oven to the moment you put away the last of the leftovers.

Turkey necks have become a popular treat for dogs in recent years. They’re an affordable, tasty chew that provides nutritional benefits. However, there are also potential risks with feeding turkey necks to dogs. As a dog owner, it’s important to understand both the pros and cons before deciding if turkey necks are right for your pet. This complete guide provides everything you need to know about feeding turkey necks to dogs.

What are Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey including the bones cartilage, muscle meat and skin. They are an oval-shaped chew measuring around 10-12 inches long. Turkey necks are larger than chicken necks so may be better suited for medium, large, or giant breed dogs.

Turkey necks are considered a by-product of the poultry industry, as they are not intended for human consumption. They can be purchased fresh or frozen from some butchers, at the supermarket, or from raw pet food suppliers.

Benefits of Turkey Necks for Dogs

There are several potential benefits to feeding your dog turkey necks:

Nutrition – Turkey necks provide protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iron. The bone and cartilage also contain glucosamine and chondroitin which support joint health.
Dental Health – Gnawing on the turkey neck helps scrape away tartar and plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth, This may help reduce dental disease
Mental Stimulation – Working through a turkey neck provides mental enrichment and satisfies your dog’s natural urge to chew. This is beneficial for anxious or bored dogs.
Affordable – Turkey necks are relatively low-cost, especially when purchased in bulk This makes them a budget-friendly treat option

Risks of Turkey Necks for Dogs

However, there are also some potential risks with feeding turkey necks that should be considered:

Choking Hazard – Pieces of turkey neck can break off and pose a choking risk, especially for aggressive chewers. Always supervise your dog when feeding turkey necks.
GI Obstruction – Swallowed turkey neck bones can cause obstructions or lacerations in the esophagus, stomach or intestines.
Broken Teeth – Turkey necks have hard bones that may lead to fractured teeth if your dog tries to chomp down. This risk may be elevated in older dogs.
High Fat – The skin on turkey necks significantly increases the fat content. This can lead to pancreatitis in prone dogs.
Bacteria – Raw turkey necks may contain pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella. Strict hygiene practices are required when handling.

So while turkey necks can provide benefits, they also pose risks that require caution. Weigh up these pros and cons carefully for your individual dog.

Are Turkey Necks Safe for Puppies?

Turkey necks can be fed to puppies in moderation. Focus on size-appropriate necks and always supervise chewing. The chewing action is great for puppy teething. However, puppy teeth are not fully developed so turkey necks pose a higher choking and tooth fracture risk compared to adult dogs.

If introducing turkey necks to a puppy, hold off until at least 12 weeks of age when their immunity, teeth, and chewing skills are more developed. Then start with only 5-10 minutes of supervised chewing once or twice a week. Increase time and frequency slowly as your puppy learns to chew safely.

Are Turkey Necks Safe for Older Dogs?

Older dogs often have weaker teeth and jaws along with a higher risk of digestive issues. For these reasons, most veterinarians recommend avoiding turkey necks for senior dogs over around 7-10 years of age. The hard chewing places too much mechanical stress on compromised teeth. And swallowing larger pieces increases obstruction risks.

There are some safer alternatives to provide dental benefits without the same degree of risk such as dried chicken breast, rubber toys, or dental treats. Focus on softer foods that are easy to pick up and chew for elderly doggy diets.

Raw vs Cooked Turkey Necks – Which is Better?

Raw turkey necks are generally recommended over cooked. Cooking causes the bones to become brittle and more likely to splinter. Raw bones retain some flexibility and are less likely to chip into sharp fragments.

However, raw turkey does come with a risk of bacterial contamination that cooking helps destroy. Weigh up the pros and cons of each for your individual dog:

Raw Turkey Necks

Pros:

Bones retain flexibility
Preserves natural enzymes

Cons:

Risk of bacteria
Can go rancid if thawed and refrozen

Cooked Turkey Necks

Pros:

Destroys pathogenic bacteria
Longer shelf life

Cons:

Bones become brittle and may splinter
Loss of some nutrients through cooking

If choosing to feed cooked turkey necks, prepare them at a low temperature over an extended time, such as in a slow cooker or sous vide. Avoid boiling or high heat which causes more brittle bones.

How to Choose the Right Size Turkey Neck

Choosing an appropriate sized turkey neck for your dog is important to prevent choking. Check the neck width in relation to your dog’s muzzle size. A good rule of thumb is to start with a neck about as wide as your dog’s mouth.

For small dogs, select turkey necks around 1 inch diameter. Medium dogs can handle 2-3 inch necks. For large breeds, pick necks that are 3-4 inches wide. Giant breeds can manage full 6 inch turkey necks.

You can also ask your butcher for “puppy turkey necks” which are downsized versions for smaller dogs. When in doubt, err on the side of a slightly smaller neck.

How Often Can Dogs Have Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks should only be fed occasionally as a treat, not daily. Aim for no more than 2-3 times a week for most dogs. Puppies and small dogs may only manage once weekly.

When introducing turkey necks, start with just 10-15 minutes of chewing time before taking the remainder away. Monitor for signs of digestive upset. Increase duration and frequency slowly as your dog’s tolerance allows.

Don’t exceed one turkey neck per day. The rich nutrition means excessive intake can cause gastrointestinal problems. Also limit portion if your dog needs to lose weight.

Tips for Safe Feeding of Turkey Necks

Follow these tips for safe turkey neck feeding:

Choose an appropriate size neck for your dog
Always supervise chewing time
Feed raw not cooked for bone flexibility
Introduce slowly and monitor stool consistency
Handle raw turkey necks hygienically
Don’t allow aggressive chewing that could fracture teeth
Remove the neck if your dog tries to swallow large chunks
Never leave a dog alone with any chew treat or bone

Alternatives to Turkey Necks for Dogs

If the risks of turkey necks seem too high for your dog, some safer alternatives provide similar benefits:

Recreational Bones – Sterilized bones such as marrow bones. Avoid weight-bearing bones of large mammals like cows.
Bully Sticks – A digestible chew made from bull pizzles.
Antlers – Naturally shed deer, elk or moose antlers. Opt for split versions rather than whole.
Dental Chews – Look for VOHC approved treats made to reduce tartar.
Frozen Carrot Sticks – Provides a healthier lower-calorie chewing option.

Discuss any dental chew options with your vet, especially for dogs with dietary restrictions or dental issues.

Turkey necks can offer nutritional value along with dental cleaning benefits. However, the risks mean caution and supervision are required when feeding them to dogs. Consider your individual dog’s size, age, chewing habits and digestion before introducing turkey necks. Weigh up the pros and cons carefully first. When in doubt, there are alternatives that provide chewing enrichment with less risk of choking or digestive issues.

can dogs have turkey neck bones

Turkey as a Safe Protein for Dogs

In general, turkey is a great source of protein for dogs that also gives them access to important vitamins and minerals and overall nutritional benefits they need. Since it is an easy meat for dogs to digest, turkey is usually a great option for dogs. If your dog suffers from an inflammatory condition, turkey is considered a better protein choice than chicken. Chicken is a very common food allergy for dogs. If your dog suffers from this poultry allergy, you might want to consult your veterinarian about whether or not turkey is a good choice.

The Safest Parts of the Bird

While both white and dark meat portions of a turkey are safe for a dog to eat, white meat tends to be a better protein source. If you want to feed your dog a small amount of turkey to satisfy their craving without giving them too many extra calories, stick to the white meat pieces. The giblets (or the liver, kidneys, heart, and gizzard) are also safe for pups to eat, just make sure to cut them up into easily chewable pieces. Avoid feeding your dog the neck, though, as the bones inside could be dangerous.

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FAQ

Can dogs have cooked turkey neck bones?

Yes, dogs can have turkey necks. They are very healthy. If you are cooking the turkey neck ensure to scrap off the meat and never serve the cooked bones to your dog. You can use the bones to make a bone broth.

Which turkey bones are safe for dogs?

Cooked bones can splinter and cause severe internal damage to dogs. Turkey bones from table scraps are absolutely off-limits, along with any other cooked bones. Raw bones pose potential risks, and should only be consumed under careful observation. Dogs may enjoy consuming turkey necks or larger bones.

Can dogs eat cooked neck bones?

Friend, the concern with feeding dogs bones is that they can become obstructed or perforate the gastrointestinal tract for this reason we recommend not to feed dogs bones. I would not recommend you feed your dog cooked beef neck bones. Try something like bully sticks that are digestible.

What is turkey neck syndrome in dogs?

This rare genetic disorder is known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome but is also known as cutaneous asthenia. It’s a connective tissue disease where the skin is exceedingly extensible, causing visible sagging around the neck, shoulder, and back area, along with other signs such as joint laxity and ocular abnormalities.