Who remembers the Bumpus hounds from “A Christmas Story”? Pretty funny when they break in the house and steal the Thanksgiving turkey, right? Well, as long as it isn’t your turkey.
Actually, it really isn’t funny for those dogs at all. You should never let your dog eat turkey bones or other leftovers. This Thanksgiving, let’s keep both our turkey and our dogs safe with these tips.
As the holidays roll around, many pet owners wonder if they can share that tasty turkey leg with their canine companion. While dogs love meaty bones, turkey leg bones can actually be quite dangerous. This article will explore the risks of feeding dogs turkey leg bones and offer some safer alternatives to satisfy your pup’s chewing urges.
The Dangers of Turkey Leg Bones
Turkey leg bones pose a few key dangers
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They can splinter and cause damage When cooked, turkey bones become dry and brittle They can easily splinter into sharp fragments when chewed by a dog. These bone shards can wreak havoc in your dog’s mouth and digestive tract, potentially causing injuries, obstructions, and perforations.
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They can cause choking. Some dogs will try to swallow larger pieces of turkey bones whole. These chunks can become lodged in the esophagus, leading to choking and life-threatening blockages.
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They are high in fat. Turkey skin and meat contain a lot of fat. Too much fatty food can lead to pancreatitis and other digestive issues in dogs.
So while your dog may love to gnaw away at that tasty turkey leg, it’s simply not worth the risk. Stick to dog-safe bones and chews to avoid a holiday health crisis.
Signs of Trouble After Eating Turkey Bones
If your dog already snagged some forbidden turkey bones before you could intervene, watch for these signs of distress:
- Gagging, drooling, vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Visible discomfort
- Blood in stool or black, tarry stools
- Straining to pass stool
Any of these symptoms warrant an immediate call to your veterinarian. Turkey bones can cause serious damage within hours of ingestion, so quick action is key.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Turkey Bones
Here are the steps to take if your dog scarfs down some problematic turkey bones:
1. Stay calm. While difficult, avoiding panic helps you respond appropriately.
2. Do not induce vomiting. Bones can damage the esophagus on the way back up. Only do this if directly instructed by your vet.
3. Contact your vet ASAP. Explain the situation and follow your vet’s recommendations. They may request you come in immediately for x-rays to locate the bones.
4. Monitor your dog closely. Note any symptoms or changes in behavior. Alert your vet if your dog shows signs of distress.
5. Book a vet visit. Even if your dog seems fine at first, make an appointment to ensure the bones have passed safely.
Swift action and vigilant monitoring give your dog the best chance of recovery. While most dogs pass bones without issue, it’s always wise to err on the side of caution with something as high-risk as turkey bones. Better safe than sorry.
Safer Alternatives to Turkey Bones
The good news is there are plenty of safer options to satisfy your dog’s chewing urges. Here are some bone-free alternatives to consider instead of turkey bones:
- Rubber chew toys – Easy to clean, digestible, and come in fun shapes
- Dental chews – Made to scrape tartar while eaten
- Bully sticks – Long-lasting, fully digestible beef chews
- Kongs – Stuff with peanut butter or treats; provides mental stimulation
- Rope toys – Flossy texture cleans teeth
- Edible chews – Formulated for safety, like rawhide alternatives
For even more excitement, you can stuff a Kong or chewable toy with frozen wet dog food, low-fat peanut butter, or pumpkin puree. This transforms an ordinary chew into a challenging puzzle toy.
Remember to supervise your dog with any chew toy to prevent choking hazards or ingesting large pieces. But these safer alternatives help divert your dog’s chewing urges without the risks of turkey bones.
Preventing Turkey Bone Snacking
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to dogs and turkey bones. Here are some tips to avoid turkey bone temptation:
- Store bones away in trash bags where your dog can’t access them.
- Keep your dog in another room during meal prep and eating.
- Train your dog on the “leave it” command to ignore food temptations.
- Teach your dog to “drop it” in case they grab a turkey bone.
- Clear away plates promptly after holiday meals.
- Take trash out frequently to limit counter surfing opportunities.
With vigilance and some training, you can help prevent this scary scenario altogether. Focus on safe, healthy chews that make both you and your dog happy.
The Takeaway: Avoid Turkey Bones for Dogs
Can My Dog Eat Turkey Bones?
Cooked bones from any animal should never be given to your dog, but especially turkey bones or chicken bones. 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.
Why Can’t My Dog Eat Turkey Bones?
When a dog chews on bones, there are a few different things that can happen.
Bones, especially cooked bones, turkey bones, and chicken bones, can break into very sharp pieces. Those sharp pieces can stab your dog in the mouth, the throat, the stomach, or even the intestines. This can cause severe pain for your dog, and potentially an emergency with a very sick dog if the intestines get holes poked in them.
Bone pieces can get stuck in your dog’s stomach or intestines, causing a blockage that may need surgery to resolve. Or they can make your dog severely constipated. (Nobody likes a constipated dog…)
If the bones do make it all the way through, sharp bone pieces can cause pain and bleeding when they are passed out with the stool.
Other types of bones can get stuck on your dog’s lower jaw, in their mouth, or in their throat, needing anesthesia and sometimes surgery to remove.
Can dogs eat a turkey leg bone?
FAQ
Can a dog eat a turkey leg bone?
Can dogs chew on turkey neck bones?
Can dog stomach acid dissolve bone?
Can dogs eat raw turkey bones?
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. Talk with your vet about using raw meaty turkey bones for your dog to learn more about possible risks and benefits.
Are turkey bones bad for dogs?
Unlike some other treats, these bones can splinter and cause significant damage to your dog’s internal organs. Cooked turkey bones can easily splinter, and these sharp fragments can cause damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, and intestines. Swallowing bone pieces can lead to blockages or even tear the delicate lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Can dogs eat raw meaty bones?
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.
Can dogs eat raw chicken bones?
The answer is yes, as long as the bones are raw. Raw bones, in general, are usually a good option for pups to have, but turkey and chicken bones (as well as other types of poultry) still tend to be thinner and splinter easier. So if you do share some raw bone with your dog, it’s important that you supervise them closely when they’re eating.