Can Dogs Have Boiled Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks have become a popular treat for dogs in recent years, Their meaty texture and cartilage provide a satisfying chew, But is it safe to give your dog boiled turkey necks? This article will examine the risks and benefits to help you decide

The Short Answer

No, dogs should never eat boiled, cooked, or roasted turkey necks, only raw. The high temperatures cause the bones to become brittle and prone to splintering. These bone shards can then puncture the mouth, throat, or intestines. This poses a serious choking risk and can require emergency surgery.

While raw turkey necks may be cautiously fed in moderation, cooked necks of any kind must always be avoided. The dangers when cooked simply outweigh any possible benefits.

Why Are Cooked Turkey Necks Dangerous?

Here are the main reasons vets warn against feeding cooked poultry bones:

• Extremely brittle – Cooking causes bones to lose their flexible collagen and become hard and brittle. They easily shard into sharp fragments.

• Can puncture throat/intestines – These bone fragments are razor-sharp and can lacerate the mouth throat, stomach or intestinal tract.

• Choking hazard – The bone shards can become lodged in the mouth, throat or airway, leading to choking.

• Can cause obstructions – The fragments can clump together and cause partial or complete blockages in the intestines. This requires emergency surgery.

• Misshapen – The bones can partially dissolve and reform into odd barbed shapes during the cooking process. This increases the danger.

Simply put, bones are too hard and sharp when cooked. They lose their somewhat pliable nature and become rigid fragments. Turkey necks are particularly small and easy to swallow, further raising the risks.

What About Boiling or Simmering Turkey Necks?

Some people believe boiling bones makes them safe because it softens them. However, this isn’t really true.

While extended boiling may start to break down the collagen, it doesn’t change the structure much. The bone remains overly hard and brittle. Splintering still occurs.

Simmering for flavor when making broth also leaves bones dangerously cooked. Never feed these leftover bones after using in stock.

Bottom line – boiling, simmering or any type of cooking makes turkey necks far too risky to give dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Necks?

Raw turkey necks do lower the risks somewhat compared to cooked. Some key considerations:

• Raw bones generally contain more flexible collagen and tend to bend rather than shatter.

• Chewing stimulates saliva enzymes that help soften food before swallowing.

• The meat also provides a protective buffer between bones and throat/intestines.

However, raw turkey necks still come with quite a few warnings:

• Supervise continually to monitor any choking or distress signals.

• Only feed large or giant breed adult dogs. Not for small dogs or puppies.

• Introduce slowly as digestive upset is common at first.

• Stop immediately if you notice vomiting, constipation or other signs of problems.

• Carry risk of salmonella – wash hands/bowls thoroughly.

Overall, most vets recommend avoiding raw turkey necks. The multitude of risks outweigh any benefits to dental health or mental stimulation. But a few vets give cautious approval under strict supervision. Know the hazards and make an informed decision.

Signs of Trouble To Watch For

After eating any turkey neck, watch for the following symptoms:

• Drooling more than usual
• Gagging or trouble swallowing
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Constipation
• Diarrhea or dark tarry stool
• Visible blood in stool or vomit
• Distended abdomen or bloating
• Whining or restlessness
• Straining or inability to defecate

If you notice any of these warning signs, call your vet right away for guidance. Prompt medical attention is crucial. Do not wait and hope symptoms resolve on their own.

What To Do if Your Dog Eats Cooked Turkey Bones

If your dog accidentally eats cooked turkey bones, here are some tips:

• Check immediately if choking – follow first aid steps if needed.

• Contact your vet. Based on symptoms, they may advise monitoring at home or coming in.

• Look for signs of distress, lethargy, vomiting, constipation, etc. over the next 2-3 days.

• Examine stools for bone fragments passing through.

• Feed bread or rice to help bones pass more easily. But ask your vet first.

• Seek emergency vet assistance if you notice symptoms of obstruction, perforation or acute distress.

While some dogs may pass turkey bones uneventfully, the hazards are too high to take a wait-and-see approach. Get veterinary guidance right away.

Can Turkey Bones Be Crushed or Ground?

Owners sometimes wonder if crushing or grinding turkey bones into smaller pieces reduces the risks enough to allow feeding. The answer is still no.

Even ground into tiny chunks, cooked bone remnants retain their brittle, dagger-like structure on a microscopic level. These micro-shards can still puncture intestines or embed in the gut lining.

So while whole turkey bones are obviously more hazardous, crushing or grinding cooked bones doesn’t make them safe. They still pose too much risk to give dogs under any circumstances.

What About Smoked Turkey Necks or Drumsticks?

The smoking process helps add flavor. But similar to boiling, it doesn’t alter the bone composition enough to make it safe.

Hot smoked turkey (cooked with smoke at high temps) has the same hazards as fully cooked necks. The bones become overly brittle and prone to splintering. Do not feed hot smoked products.

Cold smoked turkey (smoked raw) has less risk than cooked. But it still contains harmful bacteria like salmonella. Overall, it’s best to avoid smoked turkey bones or meat too.

Are There Any Cooked Turkey Bones That Are Safe?

The only cooked poultry bones most vets consider remotely safe are large sturdy round bones like chicken thighs or drumsticks. The thick layer of cartilage and fat helps cushion the bone.

But even these come with some choking risks and are very high in fat. Dogs focused on licking the fat may accidentally swallow larger shards. Supervision is still advised.

All other cooked poultry bones, especially small delicate ones like necks, wings or ribs, should never be fed under any circumstances. The hazards overwhelmingly outweigh any benefits.

Alternative Treats to Raw Turkey Necks

If you want to avoid the risks of turkey necks, here are some safer options to try:

• Bully sticks – Digestible protein source for chewing
• Antlers or horns – Naturally shed; good for aggressive chewers
• Nylon chews – Help clean teeth and satisfy chewing urge
• Cow hooves – Natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin
• Stuffed frozen Kongs – Provides extended chewing time
• Carrots or apples – Low calorie dental cleaning
• Peanut butter – Added banning flavor; soothes anxious dogs
• Dental treats – Reduces plaque and tartar
• Chew toys – Soothe teething discomfort for puppies

Monitor your dog with any new chew toy or treat option to ensure it’s a good fit.

Key Takeaways on Cooked Turkey Necks for Dogs

• Never feed dogs cooked, boiled, roasted or smoked turkey necks or any cooked poultry bones.

• The brittle bones pose dangers of choking, lacerations, obstructions, and perforations.

• Raw turkey necks may be fed occasionally under close supervision to some large breed dogs. Still high risk.

• Any symptoms of distress after eating turkey necks requires immediate veterinary attention.

• Alternative chews like bully sticks avoid the risks while satisfying chewing.

Boiled or cooked turkey necks are simply too hazardous to give dogs as a chew treat. Take a pass on poultry bones. There are much safer options to keep your dog happy.