Are Raw Turkey Necks Good For Dogs?

Turkey necks have become a popular treat for dogs in recent years. Many pet owners like to feed raw turkey necks as part of a raw diet or as an occasional chew treat. But are raw turkey necks really safe and healthy for dogs? There are pros and cons to feeding any raw meaty bone to dogs that need careful consideration. This article provides a detailed guide to the benefits and risks of feeding raw turkey necks to help you make an informed decision.

What are Raw Turkey Necks?

Raw turkey necks are the whole neck of a turkey including the vertebrae, connective tissue, cartilage, lean meat, skin, and soft bone Turkey necks are larger than chicken necks and so are often better suited to medium, large, and giant breed dogs

Raw turkey necks can be purchased fresh from butchers, frozen from supermarkets, or online. It’s important turkey necks are always fed raw and never cooked Cooking turkey necks makes the bones brittle and more likely to splinter, posing a serious health hazard

Potential Benefits of Feeding Raw Turkey Necks

There are several potential benefits associated with giving dogs raw turkey necks:

Natural Source of Protein

Turkey necks provide dogs with a natural source of high-quality protein. Protein supports healthy muscle growth and maintenance in dogs of all life stages. The amino acids in protein are also essential for metabolic function.

Promotes Dental Health

The act of chewing on raw turkey necks may help reduce plaque and tartar build-up. This provides a natural way to care for your dog’s teeth. Always supervise chewing to avoid swallowed bones.

Provides Mental Enrichment

Chewing turkey necks provides mental stimulation which many dogs enjoy. It allows them to exhibit natural chewing behaviors. This is especially beneficial for dogs prone to boredom.

Natural Source of Chondroitin and Glucosamine

Turkey necks contain natural chondroitin and glucosamine, compounds found in joint supplements. This may support joint health, but levels are likely too low to treat arthritis.

Promotes Satiety

The protein, fat and chewing action may help dogs feel more satisfied compared to other treats. This enables turkey necks to be used for enriching food-dispensing toys.

Potential Risks of Feeding Raw Turkey Necks

However, there are also some potential risks to be aware of when feeding raw turkey necks to dogs:

Choking Hazard

Bones pose a choking risk, especially for aggressive chewers. Always supervise your dog when providing any chew with bone content. Don’t provide turkey necks if your dog is a gulper.

Can Cause Obstructions

Raw bones can cause obstructions or perforations if they splinter and puncture the gastrointestinal tract. This requires emergency surgery. Monitor stools for bone fragments.

Contaminated with Bacteria

Raw turkey may contain pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. This poses a risk to dogs (and humans). Handle raw food safely and supervise chewing.

High in Calories

Turkey necks are relatively high in calories. Limit portions to avoid weight gain in predisposed dogs. They are too high calorie as a daily treat.

Can Cause Digestive Upset

Any new food can cause diarrhea or vomiting in sensitive dogs. Introduce slowly. Don’t feed turkey necks if your dog has a sensitive stomach.

Not Suitable for All Dogs

Turkry necks are inappropriate for puppies and small dogs. They are also risky for aggressive chewers and dogs with metabolic conditions.

Feeding Guidelines for Raw Turkey Necks

If you do choose to feed your dog raw turkey necks, follow these tips:

Introduce slowly. Start with a small portion to monitor for any digestive upset.
Only feed raw, never cooked. Cooked bones splinter, causing internal punctures.
Supervise at all times. This prevents hazardous situations like choking. Remove when the bone is small.
Avoid small, sharp fragments. These can lodge in your dog’s mouth or puncture internally.
Feed appropriate sizes for your dog. A good size match prevents choking.
Feed outside only. Raw turkey necks can be messy. Don’t allow indoor chewing.
Limit to one or two necks per week for dental benefits. More may cause weight gain.
Keep other chews like bully sticks available. Variety prevents boredom.
Monitor stool consistency. Constipation or bone fragments indicate too much bone content.
Handle safely to prevent bacterial risks. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.

Can Puppies Eat Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are not suitable or safe for puppies. The size, bone content, and bacterial risks make them inappropriate for growing dogs. Wait until your puppy is fully grown before introducing turkey necks.

Puppies have very specific nutritional requirements. Feeding turkey necks may lead to an imbalance in calcium and phosphorus ratios. This can negatively impact bone and joint development.

The small, sharp turkey bone fragments also pose a choking risk and internal puncture hazard for puppies. Their gastrointestinal tracts are much more delicate than adult dogs.

For puppies, stick with an age-appropriate commercial or raw diet. Only introduce turkey necks once your dog reaches adulthood, usually between 12-18 months.

Alternatives to Raw Turkey Necks for Dogs

If you decide raw turkey necks are not suitable for your dog, consider these safer alternatives:

Dehydrated turkey necks – Still provide dental benefits without the raw meat risks.
Raw chicken necks – Smaller and softer bones. Better for smaller dogs.
Bully sticks – Digestible chews that promote chewing. Avoid if your dog gulps treats.
Antlers or horns – Naturally shed antlers provide long-lasting chewing.
Cow ears – Contain minimal bone and are easier to digest than turkey necks.
Dental chews – Look for VOHC-approved products clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar.
Food-dispensing toys – Provide mental stimulation without dietary risks.

While some dogs can benefit from the dental cleaning and mental enrichment of raw turkey necks, they do come with some inherent risks. Make sure to supervise chewing at all times and introduce slowly to monitor for digestive upset. Only feed raw turkey necks occasionally and be very selective about which dogs these chews are appropriate for. When in doubt, safer chew alternatives are widely available.

Frequency of Entities:

Turkey necks: 28
Raw: 16
Benefits: 5
Risks: 6
Dogs: 43
Protein: 2
Dental health: 3
Mental enrichment: 3
Chondroitin: 1
Glucosamine: 1
Choking: 3
Obstructions: 2
Bacteria: 3
Calories: 2
Digestive upset: 2
Puppies: 5
Alternatives: 1
Chicken necks: 1
Bully sticks: 1
Antlers: 1
Horns: 1
Cow ears: 1
Dental chews: 1
Food-dispensing toys: 1

are raw turkey necks good for dogs

Can I feed it cooked? Are bones dangerous?

Cooked bones are dangerous as they can splinter and are very sharp. Raw meaty bones are pliable and soft and break easily at the joint. Your pet is meant to eat meat and bones in their raw form. Never feed cooked bones.

How should I add Raw Meaty Bones to my dog’s diet?

For Adult dogs and cats, you can offer raw meaty bones as an occasional treat in addition to their regular meals. We recommend starting with 1-2x per week.

If you have a puppy or kitten, we recommend booking a consultation to work out a custom feeding plan on how many and which bones to add to our signature meals on a daily basis.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Necks?

FAQ

Is it safe to feed a dog a raw turkey neck?

Raw or dehydrated turkey necks are not only safe for your dogs to eat, but they also offer many nutritional benefits to your canine’s diet, including: High quality protein. Glucosamine and chondroitin. Calcium, phosphorous, and other trace minerals.

Can dogs get salmonella from raw turkey neck?

Some dog owners will choose to feed their dogs raw meaty bones as part of their diet, and in consultation with their vet. Raw turkey necks are a common choice for this purpose, but any raw meaty bone carries with it a risk of exposure to bacteria like salmonella.

Are raw turkey bones OK 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 raw necks?

Some dogs may die if their chest is paralysed. Due to this information, we are recommending to all our clients not to feed any form of raw chicken, especially raw chicken necks. Cooked boneless chicken is okay. The chicken you feed is not absolutely fresh and uncontaminated.

Are raw turkey necks good for dogs?

Raw turkey necks have many benefits that can improve your dog’s health. Here’s a brief roundup about them. Raw turkey necks are full of beneficial nutrients. For example, they have a high protein content, which benefits animals’ health in many different ways.

What are the health benefits of ground turkey?

Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.

Do turkey necks make up 10 percent of Raw Dog Food?

Although raw meaty bones like turkey necks only make up 10% of raw dog food, they’re an essential component of it. Without them, raw dog food would not be balanced and would cause nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional Benefits of Raw Turkey Necks

Are raw turkey necks good for You?

Raw turkey necks are full of beneficial nutrients. For example, they have a high protein content, which benefits animals’ health in many different ways. It improves their muscle development, gives them healthy skin, and regulates hormones’ production, to name a few.