It isnt a big mystery as to whether turkey is safe for dogs to eat or not. Spoiler alert: turkey is not only safe, but its a commonly used protein source in commercial dog foods. Throwing your dog bits of turkey while you prep dinner can be a perfectly healthy treat, but not all parts of the turkey are safe. So whats a dog-owning foodie to do?
Turkey heart is growing in popularity as a nutritious, lean treat for dogs. But is it actually good for your pup? Let’s take a look at the benefits and potential drawbacks of feeding your dog turkey heart
An Overview of Turkey Heart
Turkey heart is the actual heart muscle of a turkey Since it comes from an animal source, it is considered a rich source of high-quality protein for dogs
Turkey heart contains a number of beneficial nutrients including
- Protein – supports muscle growth and maintenance.
- Vitamin B6 and B12 – supports metabolism and cellular health.
- Iron – vital for oxygen transport in blood.
- Zinc – supports skin/coat health and immune system function.
- Taurine – an amino acid that supports heart health.
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids – helps reduce inflammation.
Compared to other types of meat, turkey heart is lower in fat and calories. It contains more protein per ounce than turkey breast or thigh meat. This makes it a lean source of animal protein.
The Benefits of Feeding Turkey Heart to Dogs
There are several reasons why turkey heart can be a healthy treat option for dogs:
1. Excellent Source of Lean Protein
Turkey heart is packed with highly bioavailable animal-based protein. Since dogs are primarily carnivorous pets, animal proteins like turkey heart help meet their unique nutritional needs.
The amino acids in turkey heart support the maintenance and growth of muscle mass. This makes it beneficial for active or growing dogs who need extra protein.
2. Strengthens the Cardiovascular System
One of the biggest benefits of turkey heart is the high levels of taurine. This amino acid is critical for heart health in both humans and dogs.
Taurine helps regulate heart rhythm, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Feeding turkey heart can help strengthen your dog’s cardiovascular system.
3. Boosts the Immune System
Turkey heart contains zinc, iron, selenium, and vitamins A and B. These nutrients support immune cell function and overall wellness.
The iron in turkey heart is especially important for oxygen transport in the blood. Adequate iron levels allow your dog’s immune cells to work efficiently.
4. Supports Healthy Skin and Coat
The omega fatty acids in turkey heart can help reduce inflammation that may underly skin problems like itching or hot spots. The zinc also supports skin and coat health.
If your dog has dry, irritated skin or a dull coat, turkey heart can help provide nutrients from within to restore skin and coat to optimal health.
Potential Concerns of Feeding Turkey Heart
While turkey heart does offer important benefits, there are a few things to keep in mind:
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Allergies – Some dogs may be allergic to turkey protein. Make sure to introduce slowly.
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Raw safety – Raw turkey may harbor harmful bacteria like salmonella. Cook thoroughly.
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Gastrointestinal upset – Too much organ meat at once can cause loose stools or vomiting. Transition slowly.
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Excess fat – The outer membrane of the heart contains a higher fat content. This part is best avoided.
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Heart health issues – Dogs with heart disease may need to avoid or limit turkey heart intake. Check with your vet.
As long as you introduce turkey heart slowly and in moderation, most healthy dogs can benefit from this nutritious organ meat treat.
Feeding Guidelines for Turkey Heart
When adding turkey heart to your dog’s diet, follow these tips:
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Purchase turkey hearts from reputable sources to avoid bacterial contamination.
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Cook turkey heart thoroughly to 160°F internal temperature before feeding.
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Introduce turkey heart slowly – start with just a few small bites per day.
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Cut turkey heart into small, pea-sized pieces for easier chewing and digestibility.
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Don’t exceed 10% of total daily calories from organ meats like turkey heart.
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Avoid feeding turkey heart excessively or free-choice. Treat as an occasional protein-dense treat.
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If you purchase raw frozen turkey heart, thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
Healthy Turkey Heart Treat Recipes for Dogs
Turkey heart can be incorporated into a variety of homemade dog treat recipes. Here are some tasty, nutritious options:
Baked Turkey Heart Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked, chopped turkey hearts
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix all ingredients together into dough.
- Roll out dough and cut into bite-sized treat shapes using cookie cutters.
- Bake for 20 minutes until crunchy.
- Cool and serve. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 week.
Frozen Turkey Heart Pupsicles
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked, chopped turkey hearts
- 1 banana
- 1 cup no-sugar-added applesauce
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
Instructions:
- Process all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
- Pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours until solid.
- Serve frozen for a cooling summer treat.
Is Turkey Heart Right for Your Dog?
When fed properly, turkey heart can offer valuable nutritional benefits to most dogs. It provides high-quality animal protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
However, dogs with poultry allergies, kidney issues, or certain heart conditions may need to avoid turkey heart. As always, check with your veterinarian about the appropriateness of new foods for your dog.
For dogs that can tolerate turkey, the heart is one of the most nutritious and protein-dense edible parts. In moderation, this lean and tasty organ meat treat can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
Turkey as a Protein Source
Turkey is a highly digestible protein source for dogs. It contains various macronutrients (that is, any nutritional component that is required in large amounts) like protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It also contains micronutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. While it is very similar in quality to chicken, turkey can contain slightly more concentrations of certain vitamins and minerals than chicken.
There is some thought among integrative practitioners that turkey is a cold protein while chicken is a hot protein. In integrative medicine terms, this essentially means turkey isnt as inflammatory as chicken. So if your dog suffers from an acute or chronic inflammatory condition, be it gastrointestinal upset, environmental allergies, etc. there are those that feel that turkey is a better protein than chicken as turkey wont exacerbate any inflammation already in the body. It should be noted, though, that chicken is the most common food allergen in dogs. Since chicken and turkey are so similar, depending on how sensitive your dogs immune system is, they may generalize their chicken allergy to turkey as well.
Parts That Are Safe for Dogs
White meat and dark meat are both safe and healthy for your dog. However, the white meat is leaner and is more protein-dense than the dark meat portions. So while both are safe and healthy, the white meat is considered to be ever so slightly healthier than the dark. Even healthier, though is something called turkey meal. This is created when fresh turkey is rendered (essentially a fancy cooking term for intentionally overcooking) to the point where most of the water is cooked off and what is left is something that is incredibly protein dense.
Oftentimes the turkey giblets, which can include the liver, kidneys, heart, gizzard, and neck, are included in store-bought turkeys. Most of these extras are perfectly safe for your dog to eat when fully cooked (so long as they wont be missed by any of your dinner guests). The only part that is not recommended for your dog is the neck as there are bones in that part. Even if you already feed your dog a raw meat diet, its not recommended to giving the giblets to your dog raw. Instead, wash them with water and then boil them for five to 10 minutes or sear them on the stove top for a few minutes on each side. As with any new food item, though, if you add in too much too fast you can cause a gastrointestinal flare up in your dog. So if you opt to give the turkey giblets to your dog, cut them into small pieces and portion them out as special treats over a few days.
Slow Cooker Dog Food Recipe | Turkey with Chicken Hearts and Gizzards
FAQ
Are turkey dogs heart healthy?
What is the best heart meat for dogs?
What hearts are best for dogs?
How to prepare turkey heart for dog?
Is Turkey heart good for dogs?
Understanding the nutritional benefits of turkey heart for dogs is important. It can help strengthen and support the heart muscle, which is essential for dogs with heart problems. Additionally, turkey heart is a great source of protein which is vital for muscle growth and repair. Commercial Dog Food Vs. Natural Source Beef Hearts Vs. Turkey Hearts
Are chicken hearts good for dogs?
Chicken hearts and turkey hearts are also both great sources of protein for dogs. Chicken hearts are slightly higher in calories and fat than turkey hearts. Both chicken and turkey hearts are rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins. However, turkey hearts are higher in zinc, while chicken hearts are higher in iron.
Is Turkey good for dogs?
Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist, Dr. Dan Su, MS, DVM, DACVIM-Nutrition, explains, “Turkey is a good source of lean protein, amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients.” Nutrients found in turkey include: Su recommends ground turkey as the easiest way to incorporate turkey into your dog’s diet.
Can dogs eat raw turkey heart?
Raw turkey heart can contain bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, which can cause illness in dogs. Cooked turkey heart is a safer option as the heat kills the bacteria. To reduce the risk of bacterial contamination, it is important to handle turkey heart properly.