can dogs eat turkey drumstick bones

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Drumstick Bones? The Potential Dangers and Safer Alternatives

As the holidays roll around, many dog owners wonder if they can share turkey drumsticks with their furry friends While dogs love meaty bones, turkey drumsticks pose some serious risks that owners should consider. In this article, we’ll explore whether dogs can safely eat turkey drumstick bones, the potential dangers, and some safer bone alternatives to try instead

What Are Turkey Drumstick Bones?

Turkey drumsticks are the lower joint of a turkey’s leg. They consist of bone, cartilage, connective tissue, meat, and skin. The bone itself tends to be thick and dense compared to other bones. Once cooked, turkey drumsticks become fall-off-the-bone tender but the bone itself becomes hardened and brittle.

Potential Dangers of Feeding Dogs Turkey Bones

Cooked bones, including turkey drumsticks, are quite dangerous for dogs to eat. The high cooking temperatures cause the bones to dry out, making them far more likely to splinter or fracture when chewed by dogs. These fractured bones can then lodge in the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines.

Some potential risks of dogs eating turkey drumstick bones include:

• Mouth and throat injuries from sharp fragments
• Choking hazards from bones getting stuck in the esophagus
• Stomach and intestinal punctures or tears
• Blockages in the digestive tract
• Severe constipation and discomfort

Any size dog can experience these issues when eating brittle cooked bones like turkey drumsticks. However, smaller dogs face greater risks as even small bone fragments take up more space in their mouths and digestive tracts.

Signs of Trouble After Eating Turkey Bones

If your dog already consumed some turkey drumstick bones, watch for the following symptoms that may indicate an issue:

• Coughing, choking or gagging
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Difficulty defecating

Take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice any of these concerning signs after eating turkey bones. Timely treatment greatly improves the chances of recovery.

Safer Bone Alternatives for Dogs

The safest alternatives to turkey drumsticks and other cooked bones are edible chews made specifically for dogs. Here are some great options:

• Bully sticks – These dried bull penises offer long-lasting chewing satisfaction.

• Antlers or hooves – Naturally shed antlers and hooves are rigid and great for chewing.

• Dental chews – Special treats promote dental health through abrasive surfaces.

• Raw bones – Uncooked beef or bison bones are more flexible. Always supervise dogs with raw bones.

• Frozen bones – Freezing raw bones makes them last longer.

• Rubber chew toys – Non-consumable rubber toys provide hours of safe chewing.

• Rawhide – These treats should only be given under supervision.

• Recreational bones – These are bone-shaped dog treats with no actual bone.

• Frozen treats – Try freezing pumpkin, yogurt, or applesauce into a chewable format.

• Vegetable chews – Some dogs enjoy chewing carrots, sweet potatoes, or dried vegetables like zucchini slices.

Get in the habit of providing your dog with these healthy chewing alternatives instead of real bones obtained during meal preparation. This will help prevent any temptation to grab dangerous cooked bones from the trash or table. With so many great options out there, you can easily provide bones and chews that are appetizing yet safe.

Are Raw Turkey Bones Safe?

Raw turkey bones still come with some risk and are not completely safe for dogs to consume. Some concerns with raw turkey bones include:

• Choking hazards from improperly chewed bones
• Mouth injuries from bone shards
• Bone obstruction in the esophagus or intestines
• Foodborne illness if bones contain salmonella or other pathogens

Many vets recommend to avoid raw turkey and other poultry bones as well. Supervised recreational raw beef bones are a better option than any type of raw turkey bones.

Can Dogs Eat the Meat on Turkey Drumsticks?

The safest way to feed any type of poultry to dogs is to remove it entirely from the bone first. This allows your dog to enjoy the tasty meat while avoiding the dangers of the bones.

Both cooked and raw turkey meat is fine for dogs in moderation. Lean turkey meat is low in fat and provides a healthy source of protein. Some tips for preparing turkey for dogs include:

• Remove all skin, fat, bones, cartilage and connective tissue
• Chop or shred into bite-size pieces
• Mix with broth, vegetables, rice or pasta
• Refrigerate promptly for food safety
• Limit turkey to 10% or less of your dog’s total diet

What About Ground Turkey?

Ground turkey offers a lower choking risk than bone-in turkey for dogs. However, a few cautions still apply when feeding any ground meat:

• Always cook ground turkey thoroughly first
• Pick out any suspicious fragments that could be bone
• Avoid ground turkey with onions, garlic or toxic seasonings
• Prevent rapid gorging by using a slow feeder bowl

Ground turkey can be a regular part of a balanced homemade diet or added as a special protein boost to your dog’s regular commercial food.

Key Takeaways on Turkey Drumstick Bones for Dogs

Here are some key points to remember:

• Both raw and cooked turkey bones pose risks to dogs and should be avoided.

• Cooked turkey bones easily splinter and fracture into sharp fragments.

• Watch for signs of injuries, blockages, illness and discomfort after a dog eats turkey bones.

• Offer specially designed chewing treats and toys instead of real bones for safer enjoyment.

• Dogs can eat plain cooked or raw turkey meat after bones are fully removed.

• Monitor your dog closely if they do happen to ingest any turkey bones and contact your vet with any concerns.

While turkey drumsticks and other bones are tempting snacks, resist the urge to share them with dogs. With a little forethought, you can still provide lots of delicious turkey meat free from hazardous bones. Your dog will thank you for the tasty AND safe holiday meal.