Turkey is the pièce de résistance of a traditional Christmas dinner and a fitting feast for our feline companions. Not only is the meat packed with essential nutrients, but it’s also leaner than pork and less caloric than beef. But can cats eat turkey every day, or should they lay off the gobbler from time to time?
Let’s look into the biological value of turkey meat and find out which cuts work best with the feline diet. We’ll also throw in a few culinary tips on how to prepare a delicious turkey dinner for your pet and skip any harmful ingredients!
As cat owners, we want to give our furry friends tasty treats that they’ll enjoy And when we’re cooking up some delicious turkey for dinner, it’s natural to wonder if we can share a bite with Kitty too The short answer is yes, cats can eat turkey meat – but there are some important things to keep in mind.
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding turkey to cats. We’ll look at the benefits of turkey for cats talk about how to serve it safely, and discuss how much turkey cats can eat.
Why Is Turkey Good for Cats?
Turkey is a healthy source of protein for cats. Since cats are obligate carnivores, animal-based proteins like turkey are essential in their diet.
Some of the benefits of turkey for cats include:
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High in protein: Turkey is packed with protein that provides amino acids cats need. The protein in turkey helps maintain muscle mass.
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Low fat: Turkey is a lean meat that is low in fat compared to other meats. This makes it less likely to cause tummy upset.
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Rich in nutrients: Turkey contains vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, selenium, phosphorus and zinc. These support overall health.
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Low calorie: Calories in turkey are lower than other meats. It’s a smart choice for weight control.
So turkey can be an excellent occasional treat for cats. In moderation, it provides healthy protein kitty craves without excess calories or fat.
Can Cats Eat Raw Turkey?
It’s best to avoid giving cats raw turkey. Raw meats carry a risk of harbouring dangerous bacteria like Salmonella. Cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F kills any harmful bacteria present.
Feeding raw turkey also increases the risk of your cat transmitting bacteria to you or family members. Stick with cooked turkey to avoid putting your cat or human family at risk of food poisoning.
How to Serve Turkey Safely
When sharing turkey with your cat, follow these tips for safety:
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Choose plain, unseasoned turkey. Seasonings and spices can upset your cat’s tummy.
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Remove all bones before serving. Bones can splinter and cause choking or internal injury.
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Cook turkey thoroughly to 165°F. Be sure to check the innermost part for doneness.
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Discard any turkey skin or fatty pieces. Too much fat causes digestive upset.
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Refrigerate promptly. Don’t leave turkey out more than 2 hours.
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Wash hands, prep area and utensils after handling raw turkey.
Following basic food safety guidelines prevents bacteria from multiplying. Your vet can provide more tips for safe food handling and storage.
Can Cats Eat Deli Turkey?
It’s best to avoid feeding your cat deli turkey. Deli meats contain much higher sodium levels than plain turkey. Too much salt can cause excessive thirst, vomiting and even sodium ion poisoning in cats.
Deli turkey may also have seasonings, preservatives or spices added. These additives can upset your cat’s stomach. It’s safest to stick to plain cooked turkey with no extras.
What About Turkey Bones and Skin?
Never feed your cat turkey bones. Bones can easily splinter and cause oral lacerations or get lodged in the digestive tract.
Turkey skin is very fatty. Too much can lead to pancreatitis which is painful and dangerous. Limit skin to tiny amounts or avoid it altogether if your cat has weight issues.
Can Cats Eat Ground Turkey?
Ground turkey is fine for cats as long as it’s cooked plain with no seasonings. Look for lean ground turkey with a fat content around 10%.
To serve, cook a small tablespoon sized portion. Mix some in with their regular cat food or offer pieces as training treats.
Limit high-fat meats like regular ground turkey without trimming fat. Too much dietary fat isn’t healthy long-term.
How Much Turkey Can Cats Eat?
Turkey should only be given occasionally as a treat. As a general guideline, treats should total no more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake.
For an average 10 lb cat eating about 240 calories per day, a turkey treat should be around 24 calories or less. A 1 oz serving of cooked turkey breast contains about 23 calories, making it the perfect snack-sized portion.
Overindulging in turkey can cause tummy upset, diarrhea or pancreatitis. Moderation is key when treating your cat.
Signs of Illness from Turkey
Contact your vet immediately if your cat shows these signs after eating turkey:
- Repeated vomiting
- Diarrhea lasting over 24 hours
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or weakness
- Dehydration – dry gums, lack of skin elasticity
Any change in normal behavior after a dietary change may indicate your cat ate something unsuitable or toxic. Don’t hesitate to call your vet if you have any concerns.
Turkey Cat Food Recipes
For a convenient way to add more turkey to your cat’s diet, look for commercial cat foods featuring turkey. Wet and dry cat foods with turkey deliver balanced nutrition in a flavour cats love.
Some tasty cat food recipes with turkey include:
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Purina Friskies Shreds with Turkey and Cheese in Sauce wet food
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Iams ProActive Health dry cat food with turkey as the #1 ingredient
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness turkey and chicken grill canned cat food
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Wellness CORE grain-free indoor turkey and chicken pate
Check the label to be sure turkey is included before purchasing. This makes it easy to add more turkey your cat will enjoy.
The Bottom Line
In moderate amounts, turkey can be a healthy treat for cats. Be sure to only feed fully cooked plain turkey with no bones, skin or seasonings. Though delicious, turkey should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s diet. Speak to your vet about any dietary changes to keep your cat happy and healthy. With some common sense precautions, both you and your cat can enjoy a taste of tasty turkey!
What makes Untamed different from other brands?
Untamed food is carefully manufactured to lock in the original bioavailability of the meat. Instead of using ultra-high-temperature processing, we gently steam each meal to keep the ingredients as fresh as possible.
Every Untamed meal is:
- Full of protein—The protein content in a single serving of Untamed food is twice the industry standard. We don’t use sugar, grain filers, meat derivatives, or vegetable protein to add bulk
- Made with whole meat—We use whole meat in our recipes, making sure each cut is of human-grade quality. Besides being delicious, each meal is naturally high in taurine and other essential nutrients
- Vet-formulated—Untamed recipes are vet-formulated to meet your cat’s unique biological needs. Besides being super nutritious, each meal is free of all known allergens and perfect for the more sensitive cat
- Ethically produced—We only use ethically reared ingredients in our meals, and all our packaging is 100% recyclable. Untamed is a Carbon Neutral Certified business with a passion for creating a better world for cats and humans
- Impossible to resist—Say goodbye to fussiness! We are confident our feline cordon bleu cuisine can turn the table on picky eaters and have them meowing for seconds
When can kittens eat turkey?
Before they’re around three weeks old, kittens can’t eat or digest solid food. You shouldn’t give them turkey, chicken, or any other meat until they start weaning, or you risk hurting them.
At first, newborn kittens should exclusively feed on their mother’s milk. If the cat mom isn’t present, they should be placed on a diet of kitten milk replacer formula (KMR) and water. KMR is specially designed to mimic the nutritional qualities of breast milk and is enough to sustain the kitten’s growth and daily weight gain. You shouldn’t give them cow milk as a substitute since most cats are lactose intolerant.
After a few weeks of a liquid-only diet, you can slowly introduce solids. You’ll know the kitten’s ready for weaning if:
- Their eyes are fully open
- They got their first set of teeth
- They can stand on their feet without any help
During this period, you can let them try turkey and other high-protein meat. Weaning kittens can handle variety in their diet as long as they get enough of the following nutrients:
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Nutrient |
Recommended amount |
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Protein |
Over 50% |
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Fat |
Up to 20% |
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Calcium |
Around 1.5% |
Ideally, you should feed them kitten-specific formulas that contain the recommended nutrient ratio and are safe for their sensitive stomachs. The products come in the same textures and flavours as adult cat food, with turkey being one of the most common ingredients.
Besides turkey-flavoured kitten food, you can also give them turkey meat as a treat, as long as it’s thoroughly cooked and unseasoned.
Can Cats Eat Turkey? (2019)
FAQ
Is turkey meat ok for cats?
Can cats eat deli turkey meat?
Which is better for cats, chicken or turkey?
Can I give my cat Thanksgiving turkey?
Can cats eat turkey?
It is highly unlikely that feeding a cat this amount of turkey will make them sleepy just from the tryptophan. It might be that your cat is just taking a nice nap on a full stomach after having a meal and then a little turkey snack. Should Cats Eat Raw or Cooked Turkey? Cats should always be fed cooked turkey.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Can cats eat low-fat ground turkey?
If you have low-fat ground turkey at home, there are a few easy ways to serve it to your cat. Ground turkey is high in fat, so limit the amount you give your pet. Look for products with the lowest possible fat percentage, usually around 10%. Make a tiny patty with plain ground turkey without salt, pepper, or other seasonings.