Whenever you tuck into a turkey sandwich, your meat-loving feline is probably keen for a bite, and turkey casseroles or soups are just as intriguing. But can cats eat turkey safely?
Chances are you’ve already seen turkey listed as an ingredient in cat food, so you probably suspect the answer is “yes”. But things get a bit more complicated if you’re thinking about offering your cat turkey that is intended for humans. Keep reading to find out when turkey is not a good idea for our furry four-legged friends. In This Article
As cat owners we always want to provide our feline friends with tasty nutritious treats. Around the holidays, when whole turkeys are being cooked, the giblets (liver, heart, gizzard, etc.) are often set aside. You may be wondering if these turkey parts can be served to cats. The short answer is yes, cats can eat raw turkey giblets, but there are some important things to know before feeding them to your cat. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding raw turkey giblets to cats.
What Are Turkey Giblets?
Turkey giblets refer to the edible organs of the turkey typically packaged inside the bird’s cavity. The most common giblets are:
- Liver: Rich in vitamin A and protein
- Heart: High in iron, B vitamins, zinc, and coenzyme Q10
- Gizzard: Excellent source of vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and manganese
- Neck: Contains bone, cartilage, and lean meat
Other less common giblets include the kidneys, pancreas, glands, and lungs. Together, the giblets provide a highly nutritious package of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Benefits of Turkey Giblets for Cats
Feeding raw turkey giblets to cats can provide the following health benefits
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High-quality protein: Giblets contain lots of highly bioavailable protein to support muscle growth and maintenance. Cats need a diet high in protein.
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Vital nutrients: Giblets supply vitamins A, B, iron, zinc, manganese, and other key vitamins and minerals cats need.
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Moisture: The giblets provide moisture to support hydration. Cats generally don’t drink enough water.
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Dental health: Chewing raw giblets helps clean cats’ teeth and gums. Dental disease is very common in cats.
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Weight control: Giblets are low in carbohydrates and fat when trimmed. They can aid weight management in cats.
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Natural diet: Raw giblets mimic the natural feline diet and allow cats to use their instincts.
Overall, turkey giblets make an excellent supplemental food as part of a balanced raw or homemade diet. They provide nutritional variety and appeal to cats’ natural tastes.
Choosing Turkey Giblets for Cats
When selecting turkey giblets to feed your cat, follow these guidelines:
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Freshness: Only feed giblets that look and smell fresh. Discard any with an off odor.
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Organic/free-range: Choose organic, free-range, or pasture-raised turkeys when possible for higher quality.
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Unseasoned: Do not feed giblets seasoned with onions, garlic, salt, pepper, or other spices.
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No additives: Avoid enhanced or injected turkeys with added flavors, tenderizers, etc.
Stick to fresh, all-natural turkey giblets. This helps ensure safety and nutritional value.
How to Prepare Raw Turkey Giblets
Proper handling of raw giblets is crucial. Here are some tips for safe preparation:
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Refrigerate giblets immediately after purchasing turkey. Cook within 1-2 days.
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Thaw frozen giblets gradually in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
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Rinse giblets under cool running water before serving. Pat dry with paper towels.
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Trim off any excess fat, membranes, or connective tissue.
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Chop giblets into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your cat to safely chew and swallow.
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Wash hands, utensils, surfaces thoroughly after handling raw giblets to prevent bacterial contamination.
Following cold storage, thawing, washing, trimming, and chopping guidelines reduces risk of foodborne illness from raw giblets.
Feeding Guidelines and Tips
When introducing and serving raw turkey giblets to your cat, keep these feeding tips in mind:
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Start with small amounts and discontinue if your cat has an adverse reaction.
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Introduce new giblets one at a time to identify any intolerances.
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Combine giblets with your cat’s regular food at first to aid transition.
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Limit giblets to less than 10% of your cat’s total daily diet. Too much organ meat can cause GI upset.
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Supervise your cat when eating to monitor chewing and prevent choking.
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Refrigerate uneaten giblets promptly and discard after 2-3 days to prevent spoilage.
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Don’t rely on giblets as a sole or primary food source for cats. Feed commercial cat food as well to balance the diet.
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Consult your veterinarian, especially if your cat has health conditions or a sensitive stomach.
By starting slowly, monitoring portions, and combining giblets with regular cat foods, you can safely integrate this healthy supplemental food.
Possible Risks and Precautions
It’s important to be aware of a few potential risks when feeding raw turkey giblets to cats:
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Bacteria: Raw meat carries a risk of Salmonella, E. coli, and other bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Take care when handling and storing.
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Bones: Bone splinters from the neck or other giblets can puncture the gastrointestinal tract. Chop bone-in giblets finely.
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Choking: If gulped down in large chunks, giblets may become lodged in the esophagus, causing choking. Always supervise your cat.
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Vitamin A toxicity: Excessive turkey liver can cause hypervitaminosis A. Follow the 10% diet guideline.
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Allergies or intolerance: Some cats may be allergic or intolerant to certain giblets. Discontinue feeding if you notice symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
While most cats can safely eat raw turkey giblets, take some basic precautions and see your veterinarian if any concerning symptoms develop after feeding.
Answers to Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about feeding raw turkey giblets to cats:
Can cats eat raw turkey giblets everyday?
Feeding small amounts of giblets daily is fine as an occasional treat. But giblets should not make up the bulk of the everyday diet. Feed a nutritionally balanced commercial or homemade cat food as the staple diet instead.
What turkey giblets can cats eat?
Cats can eat the liver, heart, gizzard, and neck giblets. Other giblets like kidneys may also be fed, but avoid the lungs. Don’t feed seasoned or enhanced giblets.
Is it OK to give cats raw turkey bones?
Raw turkey bones generally don’t splinter easily and are safe for cats to eat. But supervise your cat to make sure they chew the bones thoroughly rather than swallowing large chunks.
Can cats eat cooked turkey giblets?
It’s best to feed turkey giblets raw. Cooking can diminish some of the nutrient levels. Additionally, cooked bones tend to splinter more easily and pose a greater risk.
How long can cats eat leftover raw turkey?
Leftover raw turkey giblets should be promptly refrigerated and consumed within 2-3 days. Discard any giblets that look or smell bad. Don’t feed turkey giblets that have been left out for longer.
The Bottom Line
In moderation, raw turkey giblets can provide great health benefits as part of your cat’s diet. Choose fresh giblets, handle them safely, trim excess fat, and introduce them slowly along with your cat’s normal food. Use the 10% diet guideline, chop into bite-size pieces, supervise your cat, and refrigerate leftovers promptly. With some common sense precautions, most cats can enjoy turkey giblets as a tasty, nutritious Thanksgiving treat!
What to avoid when feeding your cat turkey
Cats can eat turkey, but there are a few instances when feeding turkey to your pet can lead to health problems.
Don’t let your cat have too much turkey skin
Although cats can eat turkey, the skin of this meat is high in fat, and so it should be either avoided or offered in very small quantities as it can result in digestive upset. Also, if your cat is obese, or has underlying health issues, it’s best to avoid foods that are high in fat altogether.