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Thanksgiving, for most families in the United States, is all about the turkey. Hours go into the roasting and basting of the bird, and once the Thanksgiving feast is over, there are turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and turkey casseroles to make. With all of that leftover turkey, what about sharing some with our dogs, whether slipped surreptitiously under the table, or on a Thanksgiving “plate” of their own?
But can dogs eat turkey? Is turkey good for dogs? Are any risks to feeding dogs turkey? We’ll walk through everything you need to know about turkey for dogs, from the benefits to the risks.
Turkey is a lean protein that is often a staple at holiday meals. While you may want to share some of your holiday turkey with your furry friend, you need to be aware that turkey can cause digestive upset like diarrhea in dogs.
Why Can Turkey Cause Diarrhea?
There are a few reasons why turkey may cause diarrhea in dogs:
Fat Content
Turkey skin contains a high amount of fat. The dark meat also contains more fat than the white meat. Too much fat can cause pancreatitis which leads to diarrhea. The fat can also be difficult for some dogs to digest causing loose stools.
Seasonings
Turkey is often seasoned with onions garlic spices, herbs, oil, butter, and more. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs and can damage their red blood cells leading to anemia. Garlic and onion powder are also common seasonings and can cause the same issues.
The other herbs and spices used to flavor the turkey can also irritate a dog’s digestive system Things like pepper, sage, rosemary, thyme and more can cause stomach upset. Try to only feed your dog plain, unseasoned turkey meat
Abrupt Diet Change
If you only feed your dog turkey, a new protein and abrupt diet change could shock their system. Make sure to only feed small amounts of turkey with their regular dog food. Too much turkey at once, especially if your dog isn’t used to it, can definitely cause some diarrhea.
Spoiled Meat
Make sure any turkey you feed is fresh. Spoiled, rotten meat can have harmful bacteria that leads to food poisoning in dogs. This definitely causes diarrhea, vomiting and other issues.
Bones
Some people may feed their dogs raw turkey bones. Raw bones are ok for dogs to chew on, but cooked bones become brittle and can splinter. These bone shards can scrape or puncture your dog’s digestive tract. Never feed your dog cooked turkey bones.
Signs Your Dog Has Diarrhea from Turkey
If your dog develops diarrhea after eating turkey, you may see the following signs:
- Loose, watery stool
- Urgent need to go outside
- Stomach gurgling
- Gas
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
Diarrhea can happen shortly after eating the turkey or may take a full day to develop. The diarrhea may last for 1-2 days. As long as your dog is still acting normal otherwise and able to stay hydrated, mild diarrhea isn’t too much of a concern.
However, if it persists for more than 2 days, your dog is very lethargic, showing signs of dehydration, or there is blood in the stool, you need to call your veterinarian.
How to Treat Turkey-Induced Diarrhea
If your dog develops diarrhea after eating turkey, here are some tips for treating it:
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Withhold Food: Give your dog’s stomach a rest for at least 12-24 hours. After this fasting period, you can start introducing their normal food again in small amounts.
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Pumpkin: Add a few tablespoons of canned pure pumpkin to your dog’s meal. Pumpkin is high in fiber to firm up stools.
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Probiotics: Giving your dog a probiotic supplement can help replenish the healthy gut flora and digestion.
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Rice and Bone Broth: Cooked white rice mixed with bone broth can help bind your dog’s stools.
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Hydration: Make sure your dog is drinking water to avoid dehydration. You can also offer ice cubes.
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Over-the-Counter Antidiarrheal: You can purchase dog-safe OTC antidiarrheals that contain kaolin and pectin to firm up stools.
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Vet Visit: See your vet promptly if the diarrhea is severe, bloody, or your dog seems ill. Your vet can provide anti-vomiting medication, IV fluids, or prescription medication if needed.
How to Prevent Turkey-Related Diarrhea
Here are some tips to keep your dog safe if you want to share some of your holiday turkey:
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Only feed your dog plain, unseasoned, cooked turkey meat. No skin, fat, bones, or seasonings.
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Introduce new foods like turkey slowly and in very small amounts at first. Too much too fast can cause diarrhea.
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Make sure the turkey is fresh and properly stored at the right temperature. Don’t feed expired, rotten, or spoiled meat.
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Never feed your dog cooked turkey bones. Only raw, meaty bones are safe.
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Remove any stuffing, gravy, onion/garlic, or other ingredient that could be unhealthy. Only feed the plain meat.
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Keep holiday fatty foods like turkey skin, pan drippings, and gravy away from your dog. The fat content is unhealthy.
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Consider avoiding turkey if your dog has a sensitive stomach or has had reactions to poultry before. Try a bland diet after the holidays.
As long as you only feed small, infrequent amounts of plain turkey meat, it should not cause diarrhea in healthy dogs. However, some dogs may be sensitive. Know the signs of diarrhea and stop feeding turkey if your dog has an upset stomach. With some care and monitoring, both you and your dog can safely enjoy a holiday turkey dinner.
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Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Whether or not dogs can eat turkey depends on how the turkey is cooked. Turkey is not inherently toxic to dogs. It’s used as an ingredient in many commercial dog foods, and is rich in protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous. When turkey is cooked plain—in other words, without added salt, fat, or seasonings—turkey can be a wholesome part of a homemade dog food diet under the guidance of your veterinarian.
That said, the turkey we eat on Thanksgiving platters is rarely cooked “plain.” We rub our birds with butter or oil, and season them with all sorts of combinations of salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. Many cooks opt to stuff their turkey with onions, garlic, apples, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and more. To people eating the meal, all of these flavors, aromas, and textures can be delicious. For our dogs, some of these seemingly healthy ingredients can actually be toxic (ie, onions). Even if some common Thanksgiving ingredients aren’t exactly toxic to dogs, they can still be a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset or pancreatitis. (And just so there’s no confusion: onions are toxic to dogs.)
Choosing The Right Breed
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Thanksgiving, for most families in the United States, is all about the turkey. Hours go into the roasting and basting of the bird, and once the Thanksgiving feast is over, there are turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and turkey casseroles to make. With all of that leftover turkey, what about sharing some with our dogs, whether slipped surreptitiously under the table, or on a Thanksgiving “plate” of their own?
But can dogs eat turkey? Is turkey good for dogs? Are any risks to feeding dogs turkey? We’ll walk through everything you need to know about turkey for dogs, from the benefits to the risks.
Does turkey meat give dogs diarrhea?
FAQ
Can turkey give a dog diarrhea?
Is turkey hard on dogs stomach?
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Can turkey cause loose bowels?