It isnt a big mystery as to whether turkey is safe for dogs to eat or not. Spoiler alert: turkey is not only safe, but its a commonly used protein source in commercial dog foods. Throwing your dog bits of turkey while you prep dinner can be a perfectly healthy treat, but not all parts of the turkey are safe. So whats a dog-owning foodie to do?
Around the holidays, turkey necks can be a tasty treat for our canine companions. But is it safe for dogs to eat cooked turkey necks? Let’s explore the potential benefits and risks.
An Overview of Turkey Necks for Dogs
Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey including vertebrae, muscle meat, cartilage, and connective tissue They can be an enjoyable chew treat for dogs while providing mental stimulation
Turkey necks are naturally high in glucosamine and chondroitin which supports joint health. The act of chewing may also help reduce plaque and tartar buildup
However, there are some notable risks with feeding turkey necks:
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Can present a choking hazard if not chewed properly
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May cause gastrointestinal obstruction or constipation
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Raw turkey necks present a bacteria risk including salmonella
So what happens when you cook turkey necks instead of feeding them raw? Does cooking make them safer?
Potential Dangers of Cooked Turkey Necks
It’s crucial to never feed dogs turkey necks that have been cooked. The high temperatures of cooking cause the bones to become brittle and prone to splintering.
Consuming cooked bones can lead to:
- Fractured teeth
- Painful cuts and lesions in the mouth, throat, and digestive tract
- Intestinal perforation or blockage requiring emergency surgery
Even if a cooked neck bone does not immediately splinter, the hardened consistency is difficult for dogs to digest. Sharp bone fragments can get lodged in the stomach or intestines.
So while the bacteria risk is reduced with cooking, the physical dangers to your dog’s health actually increase.
Alternatives to Cooked Turkey Necks
If you want to give your dog a tasty turkey-flavored treat, consider these safe alternatives to cooked turkey necks:
Turkey Dog Chews
- 100% digestible with no bones
- Long-lasting chew time
- Variety of flavors like pumpkin, sweet potato, bacon
Dehydrated Turkey Necks
- Air dried, not cooked
- Natural cartilage and connective tissue
- Rich in chondroitin and glucosamine
Frozen Raw Turkey Necks
- Uncooked bones remain soft
- Supervise to monitor chewing
- Defrost slowly in fridge before feeding
Plain Turkey Meat
- Cooked white breast meat, no bones
- Shredded or diced for easy eating
- Avoid seasoning/onions which can be toxic to dogs
Benefits of Alternatives to Cooked Necks
By choosing a safer turkey-based treat, you avoid the risks of cooked bones but can still provide the benefits:
- Appealing meaty flavor dogs love
- Aids in reducing tartar buildup
- Provides mental stimulation through chewing
- Contains nutrients like protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin
Your dog gets to enjoy a tasty turkey treat without you having to worry about potential bone fragments causing harm.
Make the Switch from Cooked Necks
While cooked turkey necks smell tempting, resist the urge to toss your dog a post-holiday nibble. The health dangers far outweigh any possible benefits.
By taking the time to supervise and monitor your dog with raw turkey necks, only feeding them occasionally, and avoiding any cooked bones, you can safely provide this popular chew treat.
But for a risk-free way to give your dog a taste of turkey this season, switch to high quality chews or dehydrated necks. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your pup is chewing safely.
FAQs on Cooked Turkey Necks for Dogs
Still have some questions about the risks of cooked turkey necks? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Why can’t I feed my dog cooked turkey necks?
The high heat of cooking causes the bones to harden and become brittle. This leads to an increased risk of splintering and bone fragments that can damage the mouth, digestive tract, and intestines.
What could happen if my dog eats cooked turkey bones?
Potential emergency issues include choking, obstructed intestines, perforated stomach/intestines, and lacerations of the mouth or throat. Surgery may be required.
Are smoked turkey necks bad for dogs too?
Yes, any type of cooked turkey neck, including smoked, roasted, or baked, poses a significant risk to dogs due to bone splintering.
Can’t I just remove the meat and give the bones?
While this reduces the choking hazard slightly, it does not make the cooked bones safer to consume. The bones still present a splintering and obstruction risk.
Why are raw turkey necks considered safer?
Raw bones are more pliable, softer, and less likely to splinter into sharp fragments. Dogs are able to crush and digest them properly. But supervise carefully!
What natural turkey treats can I give my dog instead?
Try alternatives like dehydrated turkey necks, turkey chews, or plain cooked turkey meat with no bones, onions, or seasoning. Always monitor your dog during chewing.
The bottom line? Resist giving your dog any turkey bones or necks that have been cooked. The health risks are substantial. With so many safer options available, you can still give your dog delicious turkey treats without endangering their health.
Turkey as a Protein Source
Turkey is a highly digestible protein source for dogs. It contains various macronutrients (that is, any nutritional component that is required in large amounts) like protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It also contains micronutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. While it is very similar in quality to chicken, turkey can contain slightly more concentrations of certain vitamins and minerals than chicken.
There is some thought among integrative practitioners that turkey is a cold protein while chicken is a hot protein. In integrative medicine terms, this essentially means turkey isnt as inflammatory as chicken. So if your dog suffers from an acute or chronic inflammatory condition, be it gastrointestinal upset, environmental allergies, etc. there are those that feel that turkey is a better protein than chicken as turkey wont exacerbate any inflammation already in the body. It should be noted, though, that chicken is the most common food allergen in dogs. Since chicken and turkey are so similar, depending on how sensitive your dogs immune system is, they may generalize their chicken allergy to turkey as well.
Parts That Are Safe for Dogs
White meat and dark meat are both safe and healthy for your dog. However, the white meat is leaner and is more protein-dense than the dark meat portions. So while both are safe and healthy, the white meat is considered to be ever so slightly healthier than the dark. Even healthier, though is something called turkey meal. This is created when fresh turkey is rendered (essentially a fancy cooking term for intentionally overcooking) to the point where most of the water is cooked off and what is left is something that is incredibly protein dense.
Oftentimes the turkey giblets, which can include the liver, kidneys, heart, gizzard, and neck, are included in store-bought turkeys. Most of these extras are perfectly safe for your dog to eat when fully cooked (so long as they wont be missed by any of your dinner guests). The only part that is not recommended for your dog is the neck as there are bones in that part. Even if you already feed your dog a raw meat diet, its not recommended to giving the giblets to your dog raw. Instead, wash them with water and then boil them for five to 10 minutes or sear them on the stove top for a few minutes on each side. As with any new food item, though, if you add in too much too fast you can cause a gastrointestinal flare up in your dog. So if you opt to give the turkey giblets to your dog, cut them into small pieces and portion them out as special treats over a few days.