Turkey necks have become a popular treat for dogs in recent years. Many pet owners choose to feed raw turkey necks as part of a raw diet or as an occasional snack But are raw turkey necks safe for dogs to eat? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of feeding raw turkey necks to dogs.
What are Turkey Necks?
Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey, containing bones, cartilage, muscles and connective tissue. They are larger than chicken necks and better suited for medium to large breed dogs. Turkey necks provide mental stimulation through chewing and contain nutrients like protein fat, calcium, and glucosamine. However, they also pose some risks that need consideration.
Potential Benefits of Feeding Raw Turkey Necks
Mental Stimulation and Stress Relief
Chewing provides mental enrichment and helps relieve boredom or anxiety. The turkey neck takes dogs around 20-30 minutes to consume, providing a positive outlet for natural chewing behaviors.
Supports Dental Health
The chewing action may help remove plaque and tartar to support dental health. However, there is limited evidence that proves this benefit conclusively.
Source of Protein and Fat
Turkey necks contain high levels of protein and fat – nutrients that support muscle growth, skin and coat health, hormone production, and provide energy. However, the quantities of fat make them high in calories.
Natural Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin
These compounds support joint health and mobility. But the levels present in turkey necks are unestablished, so supplements may be better for dogs with joint problems.
Contains Calcium and Other Minerals
Turkey necks provide calcium for healthy bones and teeth, as well as iron, zinc, copper, and selenium that support blood health, metabolism, and immune function.
Potential Risks of Feeding Raw Turkey Necks
Choking Hazard
Dogs that gulp their food may choke on turkey necks or large bone fragments. Supervision is a must when feeding any chew treat.
Digestive Upset
The high bone content puts some dogs at risk of constipation. Bone fragments may also cause obstructions or perforations in the gut.
Foodborne Illness
Salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria may be present on raw turkey necks and can infect dogs. Safe food handling is critical.
Not Suitable for Puppies
The calcium phosphorus ratio must be carefully controlled in growing puppies, so turkey necks should be avoided. Puppies may also choke on turkey necks.
Can Contribute to Obesity
Turkey necks are high in calories and fat. Overfeeding can quickly lead to weight gain in dogs prone to obesity.
May Transmit Bacteria to Humans
Even if dogs show no signs of illness, they can transmit bacteria like Salmonella to humans through contact. This poses risks especially for children and those with compromised immune systems.
Feeding Guidelines for Raw Turkey Necks
If you choose to feed raw turkey necks, follow these tips to reduce risks:
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Supervise your dog at all times during chewing.
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Feed turkey necks outdoors if possible to contain the mess. Disinfect surfaces after contact.
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Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw turkey necks.
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Introduce slowly and watch for signs of digestive upset.
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Feed larger turkey necks to medium, large, and giant breed dogs only.
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Feed no more than 1-2 necks per week as an occasional treat.
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Avoid feeding to overweight dogs or dogs with health conditions.
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Never feed turkey necks cooked. The high heat makes bones more brittle and prone to splintering.
Safer Alternatives to Raw Turkey Necks
If you decide the risks of raw turkey necks outweigh the benefits for your dog, consider these safer options:
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Dehydrated turkey necks – provide chewing benefits without the mess and bacteria risks of raw.
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Chicken necks – smaller and easier for small dogs to consume.
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Bully sticks – single ingredient chew that takes dogs longer to finish than turkey necks.
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Dental chews – reduce tartar buildup without the choking hazards. Look for VOHC approved products.
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Stuffable chew toys – provide mental stimulation and chewing satisfaction without ingestion risks.
The Bottom Line
While turkey necks can provide some benefits, they do pose real risks to dogs’ health that warrant careful consideration. Supervision, moderation, and common-sense precautions are a must. For dogs vulnerable to digestive upsets, obesity, or other conditions, safer chew alternatives are readily available. Discuss any diet changes, including the addition of novel proteins like turkey, with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has health problems. They can help you determine if turkey necks are a smart occasional treat choice or best avoided for your individual dog.
What is Turkey Neck ?
Turkey necks are comprised of muscle bone and connective tissue. Find more about it on the #feedreal dog food glossary, turkey neck.
air-dried in 100 hours
Real Dog Box’s Turkey Neck are freshly air-dried in San Diego.
The Real Dog Box kitchen is located in San Diego, CA. All of our food is sourced from American ranchers, farms, or distributors. We receive our meat in raw form, prepare them by hand and gently dry them in our patent-pending air driers. We pack and ship it all as soon as it is ready to make sure we are feeding your dog food as fresh as possible.
4 Reasons to Feed Turkey Neck
Can my dog eat Turkey Neck ?
It’s rare that dogs cannot consume turkey necks. However, if your dog is a gulper, they must learn how to properly chew bone-in foods to avoid swallowing too quickly and regurgitating this food. Senior dogs with poor dental health may have trouble with these as well, but you can soften these chews by soaking in warm water before feeding.
Why should I feed Turkey Neck ?
The bone-in chews are a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, great for joints, and provide a nice teeth cleaning session.
Can dogs have Turkey Neck allergies?
Dogs can have allergies or sensitivities to turkey, however it is uncommon. Many dogs that are sensitive to cooked turkey protein have no reaction to the raw or dried protein.
Mental enrichment Stuff in a chew holder or kong to slow down fast chewers. Freeze for a tasty treat and mental stimulation.
DIY meal Include in your dog’s raw diet as his 10% bone content.
100% turkey neck. Nothing else.
caloriescalories per bag not specified
Each bag is made from approximately 15 oz of raw turkey neck.
According to TCM, turkey is considered a WARM protein. Read more about TCM here.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Necks?
Can a dog eat raw turkey necks?
If you choose to feed your dog a raw diet, you can give them raw turkey necks. However, if you prefer to feed your dog cooked food, you should fully cook the turkey necks before feeding them to your dog. To cook turkey necks for your dog, you can boil them in water for about 30 minutes or until they are fully cooked.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
What can a dog eat if he has a turkey neck?
Chicken necks: If you have a small-breed dog, these treats offer similar benefits to turkey necks but are smaller in size. Dental chews: If keeping your pup’s teeth is your primary concern, the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VHOC) has an accepted list of products that have been proven to reduce plaque and tartar.
Can dogs eat turkey neck bones?
Turkey necks contain small pieces of bone which are a possible choking hazard in dogs. Though turkey neck bones tend to be softer and crumble when chewed properly, some dogs will gulp them down quickly and have even been known to swallow them whole!