If you share your home with a four-legged friend of the feline variety, you might occasionally catch them eyeing up your snacks.
Quick Overview: Can Cats Eat Turkey?
Toxic: No 
Commonly Allergenic: Yes 
Species Appropriate: No 
How Often to Feed: Occasional 
How Much to Feed: Supplemental
Summary of Content
Cats can eat turkey as long as it is fully cooked and given to them in moderation, without any seasoning or bones.
Most pet parents know foods like chocolate and grapes are toxic to cats, and you might think twice about giving really fatty foods like fried chicken, doughnuts, or cream cakes! But what if the snack you’re eating is pretty healthy and nontoxic; can you share it with your purry pal?
Turkey is an example of a food that is pretty healthy for humans and nontoxic to cats, so perhaps your cat could have some turkey? Well, you’re right, cats can eat turkey, but there are a few things you should be aware of before you offer your cat a bite of your turkey lunch meat sandwich!
Can Cats Eat Turkey Liver? A Comprehensive Guide
As cat owners one of the most common questions we grapple with is what human foods are safe for our feline friends. Cats are obligate carnivores and require a high-protein diet rich in animal products. While commercial cat food is formulated to meet their nutritional needs many cat parents wonder whether treats like turkey liver are healthy supplements or should be avoided. In this comprehensive 1899 word guide, I’ll explore whether cats can eat turkey liver, the benefits and risks, and how to safely incorporate it into their diet.
Turkey Liver Nutrition for Cats
Turkey liver is packed with nutrients that support overall feline health. Some of the key benefits include:
-
Animal Protein: Cats need high levels of animal-based protein for energy, muscle growth, and organ function. Turkey liver provides high-quality, bioavailable protein.
-
Taurine: This essential amino acid supports eye, heart, and brain health in cats. Turkey liver contains high levels of taurine.
-
Vitamin B: Turkey liver contains vitamin B12 for immune and digestive health and B6 to regulate blood sugar.
-
Minerals: It provides key minerals like selenium to reduce shedding and zinc for immune health.
-
Prebiotics: Supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
When consumed in moderation, incorporating turkey liver into your cat’s diet can provide a boost of vital nutrients.
Potential Benefits of Turkey Liver
The nutrients and compounds found in turkey liver can provide the following health benefits:
-
Improved Vision: Taurine is critical for eye health and preventing vision loss in cats.
-
Heart Health: The amino acids in turkey liver support cardiovascular health.
-
Healthy Skin and Coat: The zinc and vitamin A promote skin and coat health.
-
Brain Function: Taurine and B vitamins help cognitive function and memory.
-
Immune Health: Selenium, zinc, vitamin B12 boost the immune system.
-
Digestive Health: Prebiotics and vitamin B12 aid digestion.
For senior cats or those with certain health conditions, the nutrients in turkey liver can be particularly beneficial. Always consult your veterinarian before supplementing with new foods.
Risks and Precautions
While turkey liver provides valuable nutrients, there are some precautions to keep in mind:
-
Vitamin A Toxicity: Turkey liver is very high in vitamin A, so overfeeding can lead to hypervitaminosis A. This can cause bone deformities, fractures, and central nervous system disorders. Moderate portions are key.
-
Fat Content: The fat content in turkey liver may cause gastrointestinal upset in some cats.
-
Raw Meat Dangers: Raw turkey liver can contain Salmonella, E. coli, and other bacteria harmful to cats. Always cook thoroughly before feeding.
-
Nutritional Imbalances: Over-reliance on turkey liver could lead to nutritional deficits or imbalances long-term.
-
Pancreatitis: The high fat content could potentially trigger pancreatitis in prone cats.
To mitigate these risks, turkey liver should only be fed occasionally in limited quantities. Work closely with your vet on appropriate portion sizes for your cat.
How Much Turkey Liver Can Cats Eat?
There are no definitive guidelines on exact amounts of turkey liver for cats. The optimal quantity depends on your cat’s size, age, and overall health. As a general rule of thumb:
-
Start with just 1-2 teaspoons of cooked turkey liver.
-
Feed treats like turkey liver no more than once or twice a week.
-
For a 3-5 lb cat, feed up to 1 oz turkey liver per week. Larger cats can have slightly more.
-
Monitor your cat’s weight and health closely. Reduce portions if they gain weight or have digestive upset.
-
Never exceed more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric needs from treats like turkey liver.
Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the ideal turkey liver dosage for your individual cat. When in doubt, err on the side of less rather than overfeeding organ meats.
Can Cats Eat Raw Turkey Liver?
Raw turkey liver is not recommended for cats. Potential risks of raw turkey liver include:
-
Bacterial Infections: Raw meat can harbor Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and other problematic bacteria. Cooked meat kills these harmful pathogens.
-
Parasites: Raw liver may contain Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can infect cats (and humans!). Thorough cooking neutralizes this parasite.
-
Food Poisoning: Just like humans, raw meat spoilage and toxicity can make cats sick. Cook thoroughly to at least 165°F.
-
Choking Hazard: Some cats may try to swallow larger chunks of raw liver whole, risking choking. Cooking makes it safer to consume.
For optimal safety and digestibility, turkey liver should always be thoroughly cooked before feeding to cats. Bake, broil, or pan-fry to at least 165°F internal temperature.
How to Cook Turkey Liver for Cats
When preparing turkey liver for your cat, follow these tips:
-
Choose fresh, high-quality turkey liver whenever possible. Avoid pre-packaged livers.
-
Wash the liver thoroughly before cooking to remove any contaminants.
-
Trim off any excess fat, membranes or connective tissue.
-
Cut the liver into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
-
Bake, broil, or pan-fry the liver pieces over medium-high heat until cooked through.
-
Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. Cut a piece open to check doneness.
-
Remove all bones if including bone-in turkey livers. Bones can splinter and pose a choking risk.
-
Allow the liver to cool completely before serving. Refrigerate unused portions.
Avoid any seasonings, salt, onions, garlic, or other flavorings. While delicious for humans, spices and herbs can be toxic for cats. Plain, unseasoned cooked turkey liver is safest.
Transitioning Your Cat to Turkey Liver
When introducing any new food, take it slowly:
-
Start with tiny bite-sized pieces mixed into your cat’s regular meals.
-
Gradually increase the amount every few days as you monitor for tolerability.
-
If your cat has an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea, stop feeding the new food and talk to your vet.
-
Transition high-risk cats like seniors or those with illnesses most cautiously to avoid GI problems.
-
Feed turkey liver separately from other new proteins to pinpoint causes if any reactions occur.
-
Limit treats like turkey liver to no more than 10% of total daily calories.
With patience and proper precautions, many cats can enjoy turkey liver as an occasional protein-packed treat!
Healthier Alternatives to Turkey Liver
Some cat owners avoid turkey liver due to concerns over vitamin A toxicity or the high fat content. Healthier alternatives with similar nutritional benefits include:
-
Chicken or beef kidney: Also provides taurine and B vitamins.
-
Chicken hearts or gizzards: Lean protein options.
-
Small oily fish like sardines: Provides omega-3s.
-
Mealworms or crickets: Natural source of taurine.
-
Beef, chicken, or pork: Lean cooked meat.
-
Low-sodium chicken/turkey baby food: Provides taurine.
-
Taurine supplements: If deficient, under veterinary direction.
As always, check with your vet before significantly altering your cat’s diet or adding supplements.
The Verdict: Occasional Turkey Liver is OK
In conclusion, incorporating the occasional small serving of cooked turkey liver can provide cats with a nutritious boost of protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, moderation is key, as excess intake poses risks. Work with your veterinarian to determine appropriate portion sizes and frequency based on your cat’s health profile and nutritional requirements. By being informed about the benefits and risks, cat owners can safely feed limited turkey liver as a special feline treat. Does your cat go crazy for turkey liver too? Let us know in the comments!
Is Turkey Bad for Cats?
Turkey is safe for cats to eat as long as it is cooked without seasoning, fats, and oils. Too much salt is bad for your cat, and pepper or chili might upset their stomach, so it’s best to avoid any seasoning or sauces at all.
Boiling or grilling turkey and removing the skin will keep the fat content down to avoid causing your cat a painful episode of pancreatitis.
You should also make sure any turkey you give to your cat is just the meat. Deli turkey and turkey lunch meat are fine, but if you offer the meat from a whole cooked turkey, remove any turkey bones. Turkey necks and turkey giblets can also be a choking hazard or cause a gut blockage, so stick to the breast meat.
You might be tempted to cook a whole dish for your cat, perhaps using turkey liver or turning the turkey breast into a mild curry or casserole.
However, turkey liver is likely to be too rich for your cat and might lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis. Ingredients like onions and garlic are toxic to cats, so offering plain turkey is much safer.
If you’re looking for a safe and nutritious human food treat for your cat, look no further than turkey. Just make sure that you only give a small amount and follow the above guidelines to keep your kitty safe and healthy.
How Often Can a Cat Eat Turkey?
The mainstay of a cat’s diet should be their nutritionally complete cat food. Whether it’s wet, dry, or a bit of both, complete cat food is finely tuned to contain the balance of nutrients that your cat needs to keep looking and feeling their best.
So, the last thing you want to do as a pet parent is upset this balance with too many treats! Of course, you might think turkey won’t do much harm because it’s healthy, but even healthy foods taking the place of specialist cat food could lead to nutritional deficiencies or make your cat unwell.
So, it’s best to stick to the rule of thumb that treats and tidbits shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your cat’s total food intake. As long as your cat doesn’t get much in the way of other treats, you could offer them a small amount of turkey breast once or twice a week.
Can Cats Eat Turkey? (2019)
FAQ
Can I give cooked liver to my cat?
Why can’t cats eat liver?
What kind of liver is good for cats?
Is turkey safe for cats to eat?
Can cats eat turkey liver?
Raw meat, including turkey liver, poses several health risks for cats. The first concern is the presence of bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. These bacteria can cause serious gastrointestinal issues in cats, including vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. In severe cases, these infections can even be life-threatening.
Can I eat poultry with fatty liver?
Yes you can. A priori, for healthy patients, no food is absolutely contraindicated, with a healthy life being more associated with balance, consistency of healthy habits and moderation in choices than the withdrawal of one or another specific food. For patients who have a health condition, specific diets can help, for example, patients with hepatic steatosis, popularly recognized as fatty liver, benefit from reduced consumption of red meat, processed meats, fatty cheeses, simple carbohydrates, bacon, oil, fried foods, mayonnaise, lard, butter, among other foods rich in fat, all associated with regular physical activity. The consumption of poultry, which are lean meats with high biological value, should be encouraged.
Can feeding raw turkey liver to my Cat cause health problems?
Can feeding raw turkey liver to my cat cause any health problems? Feeding cats raw turkey liver can provide various benefits, such as being rich in nutrients and helping support overall feline health.
Can cats eat turkey?
However, cats should only be allowed turkey as an occasional treat to prevent weight gain, which can lead to the development of quality-of-life diminishing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Also, they should only be given turkey prepared without harmful ingredients such as garlic and onions. Can I Share My Turkey Dinner With My Cat?