Can Dogs Eat Turkey Wings? Benefits and Potential Dangers

Around the holidays, it’s common for people to give their dogs a tasty turkey wing as a special treat. But is this actually safe for dogs to eat? Turkey wings can present certain risks that dog owners should be aware of. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of feeding dogs turkey wings and provide tips for safer consumption

What are Turkey Wings?

Turkey wings are the wing portions of a turkey, composed of bones, cartilage, skin, and meat. They are considered a dark meat and contain more fat than white breast meat. The bones are small but dense and the cartilage can be rubbery.

Potential Benefits of Turkey Wings for Dogs

There are some potential benefits associated with feeding your dog turkey wings in moderation:

Nutritious meat Turkey provides lean protein, vitamins, and minerals
Natural source of glucosamine Cartilage contains glucosamine which supports joint health.
Promotes dental health: Gnawing meat from bones helps scrape off plaque.
Enjoyable chew: Provides a tasty, satisfying chew.
Low calorie: Turkey is lower in fat than many meats. Good for weight control.

So turkey wings can provide nutritional value as part of a balanced raw or homemade cooked diet. But care must be taken with preparation and portion size.

Risks and Dangers of Turkey Wings for Dogs

Turkey wings do come with some risks to be aware of:

Choking hazard: Gulping large pieces of meat or bone can block airways.
Gastrointestinal obstruction: Bones can get lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines.
Bone splinters: Bones may break into sharp shards that damage the GI tract.
Perforations: Bones could potentially puncture the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
Pancreatitis: High fat content may trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.

So while turkey wings provide benefits, the bones present a definite choking and digestive obstruction risk.

Safety Tips for Feeding Turkey Wings

If you do choose to feed your dog turkey wings, follow these tips to reduce risks:

Hold the wing securely and let your dog nibble off small pieces of meat. Don’t let them gulp large chunks.
Remove skin and excess fat which can cause pancreatitis.
Cook wings thoroughly until meat is very tender and bones are soft. This reduces splintering risk.
Supervise your dog while eating to monitor choking or digestive issues.
Avoid giving to young puppies or dogs who gulp food. Select an alternative chew.
Don’t feed turkey wings more than once or twice a month.

With proper preparation and precautions, turkey wings can be an occasional tasty and nutritious snack. But the small bones still present hazards for some dogs. Safer options include deboned turkey meat, necks, or meaty turkey tails. As always, check with your veterinarian about appropriate food choices for your dog.

Signs of Trouble After Eating Turkey Wings

If your dog ate turkey wings, watch for these signs of trouble:

Difficulty breathing, panting or gagging may signal choking.
Repeated swallowing or retching could mean an obstruction.
Whining or restlessness can indicate discomfort.
Lethargy and lack of appetite can be signs of GI irritation or perforation.
Vomiting may occur as the body tries to expel an obstruction.
Black, tarry stool or bloody diarrhea could indicate an internal injury.

If you notice any of these symptoms within a day or two of eating turkey wings, get your dog to the vet right away. Time is critical with a suspected obstruction or perforation.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Turkey Bones

If your dog accidentally swallows a turkey bone:

Stay calm. Many bones will pass through without issue.
Check their stool for the next 3-4 days to see if the bone passes.
Monitor for signs of choking, obstruction, or damage.
Do NOT induce vomiting as bones could further injure throat or esophagus.
Call your vet if you notice any symptoms of distress.
Seek emergency vet care if your dog seems in pain, is vomiting, or has dark stools.

While turkey bones can sometimes pass through a dog’s digestive system without problem, it’s important to remain vigilant for signs of obstruction or other issues. Call your vet right away if your dog exhibits discomfort or other symptoms after swallowing turkey bones.

To sum up, dogs can eat turkey wings in moderation if the meat is removed from the bones and prepared safely. But the bones do present a real risk of choking, obstruction, and damage to the esophagus or intestines. Supervise closely, watch for any signs of distress, and consider safer chew alternatives for your dog. While an occasional cooked wing under close observation may be fine, turkey wings should not be a regular part of your dog’s diet. Monitor carefully afterward and always check with your veterinarian about appropriate foods for your dog.

can dogs have turkey wings

Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Legs

FAQ

Do turkey wing bones splinter?

Any kind of cooked bone will splinter when your dog chews on it. Turkey bones and chicken bones are especially brittle, and will break into small, sharp pieces when they are chewed. What starts out as a fun and delicious treat can quickly turn into a medical emergency.

Can I give my dog turkey drumsticks?

It is imperative to only give your dog raw turkey bones, as cooked bones are brittle and easily splinter when chewed. These sharp bone fragments are a choking hazard and may cause blockages or damage the digestive tract, resulting in an emergency trip to the vet.

Can dogs eat cooked wings?

Just be sure not to cook the raw chicken wings before serving them to your pooch. Cooked chicken could be a potential choking hazard to your dog as the softened bone may splinter and cause internal injury to the windpipe.

What parts of turkey can dogs eat?

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.

Can dogs eat turkey?

In the upcoming sections, we’ll delve into the nutritional benefits, potential risks, and best practices for incorporating turkey into your dog’s diet. Dogs can eat turkey in moderation, but it should be cooked plain without seasoning, bones, or excessive fat. Remove the skin and ensure it’s fully cooked to avoid any bacterial risks.

Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?

While dogs have a natural inclination to chew on bones, it’s essential to avoid giving them cooked turkey bones. Cooked bones can splinter, posing a significant risk of choking or causing internal injuries. Follow the guideline of bone removal when preparing turkey for your dog, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

Can dogs eat turkey necks?

So, we know that turkey meat, organs, and skin are good for dogs to eat, but what about turkey necks? Su says that, while some pet parents may give their dogs raw turkey necks as a treat, dogs should not get them because they contain bones, which can splinter or cause a blockage to the digestive tract.

Can dogs eat turkey skin?

While the skin of turkey may be flavorful, it’s often high in fat, and excessive fat intake poses health risks for dogs. Pancreatitis, a painful and potentially serious inflammation of the pancreas, can result from a diet rich in fatty foods.