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Thanksgiving, for most families in the United States, is all about the turkey. Hours go into the roasting and basting of the bird, and once the Thanksgiving feast is over, there are turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and turkey casseroles to make. With all of that leftover turkey, what about sharing some with our dogs, whether slipped surreptitiously under the table, or on a Thanksgiving “plate” of their own?
But can dogs eat turkey? Is turkey good for dogs? Are any risks to feeding dogs turkey? We’ll walk through everything you need to know about turkey for dogs, from the benefits to the risks.
Around the holidays, it’s tempting to want to share a tasty morsel of turkey with your pup. However, raw turkey can pose health risks for dogs due to bacteria like salmonella. While dogs can eat cooked turkey prepared properly, raw turkey should be off the menu Let’s take a closer look at the safety issues surrounding raw turkey for dogs.
Raw Turkey Risks
Feeding raw turkey to dogs can potentially expose them to harmful pathogens like salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli. Just like humans, dogs are susceptible to foodborne illnesses from contaminated raw meats and poultry.
Salmonella is one of the biggest concerns with raw turkey Dogs infected with salmonella may experience
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
In severe cases, salmonella poisoning can lead to serious conditions like sepsis and meningitis, especially in puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems.
Other bacteria found in raw turkey, while less common, can also cause gastrointestinal illness in dogs with symptoms like vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Raw turkey bones can also splinter and pose a potential choking hazard or intestinal obstruction risk.
Safer Alternatives to Raw Turkey for Dogs
While raw turkey is not recommended, there are safer ways dogs can eat turkey:
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Cooked turkey meat – Plain, cooked, boneless turkey meat is safe for dogs in small portions. Make sure any seasonings or oils are dog-safe.
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Turkey dog food – High-quality commercial dog foods may contain turkey as an ingredient. This turkey is cooked at safe temperatures.
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Turkey dog treats – Look for treats made from cooked turkey meat with minimal ingredients. Avoid heavily seasoned or processed turkey treats.
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Frozen or freeze-dried raw turkey – Some raw, gently processed frozen or freeze-dried raw turkey dog foods undergo treatment to kill pathogens prior to freezing. Check with your vet before feeding.
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Canned dog food with turkey – Canned foods labeled for dogs containing turkey must meet strict regulations for processing and quality control to be shelf-stable and sterilized.
As long as the turkey is fully cooked to 165°F with no bones, dogs can enjoy small amounts as an occasional treat. For optimal nutrition, rely on balanced commercial dog food and use turkey as a supplement only.
Tips on Preparing Safe Cooked Turkey for Dogs
If giving your dog cooked turkey meat, follow these tips for safety:
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Remove all skin, fat, and bones before cooking. These can cause pancreatitis and obstruct bowels.
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Cook turkey pieces or ground turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
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Chop or shred turkey into bite-size pieces when cool enough to handle safely. Avoid large chunks that could cause choking.
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Plain turkey works best. Avoid seasoned turkey or gravy, which have onions, garlic, salt, or other additives that may upset your dog’s stomach.
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Refrigerate any leftover turkey promptly and store for no longer than 2-3 days to prevent spoilage. Discard if smelling bad.
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Introduce new foods slowly. Feed a small portion at first and discontinue if your dog has signs of an upset stomach or allergic reaction.
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Give turkey sparingly in moderation along with your dog’s regular diet. Too much can lead to gastrointestinal upset or an unbalanced diet.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Raw Turkey
If your dog accidentally eats a piece of raw turkey, take these steps:
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Don’t panic but act quickly. Remove any remaining turkey to prevent further consumption.
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Contact your vet, especially if your dog seems ill or has a compromised immune system.
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Monitor for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, blood in stool, loss of appetite or lethargy over the next 5-7 days.
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Call your vet immediately if symptoms develop or you notice signs of distress. Prompt treatment is key with foodborne illness.
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Avoid giving any turkey or new foods for at least one week after symptoms resolve. Reintroduce slowly once recovered.
While most dogs will recover with rest and hydration, antibiotics or IV fluids may be needed for vulnerable dogs or severe cases. Seek emergency vet care for any bloody stool, difficulty breathing, or symptoms that persist beyond 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can puppies eat raw turkey?
No, raw turkey should be avoided for all dogs, but especially for puppies under one year old. Their immune systems are still developing, so foodborne illness risks are higher. Cook all turkey given to puppies.
What turkey bones are safe for dogs?
No turkey bones are considered safe. All raw poultry bones, including turkey, pose risks of fractures, choking, and bowel obstructions or perforations. Cooked bones splinter into shards that can also injure dogs internally.
Can dogs eat raw turkey necks or giblets?
No, dogs should not consume any raw turkey including necks, giblets like livers or gizzards, or any other raw parts besides meat. Cook any turkey parts to a safe internal temperature before giving to dogs.
Can I give my dog smoked turkey lunchmeat?
Avoid feeding dogs any processed lunchmeat regularly as it contains lots of sodium. Small pieces very occasionally are OK, but not as a significant part of their diet. Plain roasted turkey lunchmeat is somewhat safer than smoked or cured meats if given sparingly.
What if my dog ate a turkey bone but seems fine?
If your dog ate a turkey bone recently, monitor closely for signs of distress, vomiting, or constipation over the next 4-5 days as bone fragments can cause delayed issues. Contact your vet if you notice any symptoms.
The Takeaway
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Turkey
If you decide to feed your dog turkey, keep these tips in mind.
- Remove turkey skin: Too much fat (from the skin itself, plus whatever butter or oil was used for roasting or frying) and seasonings are dangerous for dogs. High fat content can cause pancreatitis, while all the extra spices and seasonings can irritate your dog’s stomach.
- Only feed your dog turkey meat: Pick through whatever meat portion you’re offering your dog to ensure none of the roasting aromatics are mixed in. Onions are toxic to dogs, and garlic can be toxic in large quantities.
- Feed your dog small portions of turkey meat: Talk to your vet about adding occasional food scraps into your dog’s diet before deciding to feed them turkey, especially if your dog has a preexisting health condition, like diabetes. Keeping portions small, and more like a treat, helps healthy dogs avoid any stomach upset from eating different foods than they’re used to.
- No cooked turkey bones: Make sure whatever portion of turkey you decide to feed your dog contains just meat, and that there are no cooked turkey bones mixed in or still attached.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Whether or not dogs can eat turkey depends on how the turkey is cooked. Turkey is not inherently toxic to dogs. It’s used as an ingredient in many commercial dog foods, and is rich in protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous. When turkey is cooked plain—in other words, without added salt, fat, or seasonings—turkey can be a wholesome part of a homemade dog food diet under the guidance of your veterinarian.
That said, the turkey we eat on Thanksgiving platters is rarely cooked “plain.” We rub our birds with butter or oil, and season them with all sorts of combinations of salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. Many cooks opt to stuff their turkey with onions, garlic, apples, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and more. To people eating the meal, all of these flavors, aromas, and textures can be delicious. For our dogs, some of these seemingly healthy ingredients can actually be toxic (ie, onions). Even if some common Thanksgiving ingredients aren’t exactly toxic to dogs, they can still be a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset or pancreatitis. (And just so there’s no confusion: onions are toxic to dogs.)