Can Dogs Eat the Turkey Neck?

Come Thanksgiving, you may find yourself with leftover turkey necks and wonder if you can share them with your canine companion. Turkey necks can make nutritious and enjoyable treats for dogs. However, there are also potential risks to consider before feeding turkey necks to dogs.

What Exactly is the Turkey Neck?

The turkey neck contains the spine trachea muscle meat, and connective tissue of the turkey. Turkey necks are larger and meatier than chicken or duck necks. A typical turkey neck may be 10-12 inches long and weigh over 1 pound.

Turkey necks are considered a byproduct of the poultry industry, as the necks are not used for human consumption. You can purchase raw, frozen, or dried turkey necks marketed as dog treats.

Potential Benefits of Feeding Turkey Necks

There are some potential benefits to feeding your dog turkey necks in moderation:

Nutritious protein and fat Turkey necks provide high-quality protein and fat to support your dog’s health The meat contains essential amino acids
Natural source of glucosamine: Turkey necks contain natural glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which supports hip and joint health.
Promotes dental health: Chewing meat and bone may help reduce plaque and tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth.
Mental stimulation: Gnawing on a turkey neck provides mental enrichment and satisfies your dog’s instinct to chew.
Long-lasting treat: A turkey neck can keep your dog happily occupied with chewing for 20-30 minutes or longer.

Potential Risks of Feeding Turkey Necks

However, there are also potential risks to consider before feeding your dog turkey necks:

Choking hazard: Turkey necks contain small bones that could become lodged in your dog’s throat.
GI obstruction: Swallowed bones may cause an intestinal blockage requiring emergency surgery.
High in fat: Turkey meat has a high fat content, which could lead to pancreatitis in some dogs.
Raw meat hazards: Pathogens like salmonella in raw turkey can make your dog sick.
Cooked bone dangers: Cooked bones splinter easily and can puncture the GI tract.
Calorie overload: Too many turkey necks may lead to weight gain in some dogs.
Not for puppies: Turkey necks are unsafe for puppies due to their small size and developing digestive system.

So while turkey necks can provide benefits, they do come with considerable risks to be aware of.

Is It Safe to Give Your Dog the Turkey Neck?

The safety of feeding your dog turkey necks depends on several factors:

Size of Your Dog

Turkey necks may be too large and high in bone content for smaller breed dogs to safely chew and digest. Medium, large and giant breed adult dogs are better suited to handle turkey necks.

Your Dog’s Chewing Habits

Dogs that chew slowly and thoroughly will benefit the most from turkey necks. Dogs that tend to gulp their food are at greater risk of choking on bones or experiencing an intestinal obstruction.

Preparation and Portion Control

Only feed raw turkey necks, as cooked bones splinter easily. Limit portion to one turkey neck per day or less, to prevent nutritional imbalance. Watch your dog to ensure safe chewing.

Health Status of Your Dog

Avoid turkey necks if your dog has a sensitive stomach, is overweight, or has a medical condition like diabetes, kidney disease, or pancreatitis. Check with your vet first if your dog has any health concerns.

Feeding Guidelines for Turkey Necks

If you choose to feed your dog a turkey neck, follow these tips:

Select an appropriate sized neck for your dog’s breed size. Larger breeds can handle more turkey meat and bone.
Feed raw only. Never give your dog cooked turkey necks or bones.
Introduce slowly and watch for signs of digestion issues.
Hold the neck for very aggressive chewers.
Limit to one turkey neck 1-2 times per week at most.
Supervise continuously to monitor chewing safety.
Prevent fighting between dogs if feeding turkey necks to multiple dogs.
Wash hands and prep surfaces to prevent bacteria contamination.

Safer Alternatives to Turkey Necks

If turkey necks don’t seem like the best option for your dog, consider these safer alternatives:

Raw meaty bones such as lamb necks provide dental benefits with less fat.
Bully sticks offer a high-protein chewing option without the bone hazards.
Antlers or water buffalo horns give dogs a satisfying chew.
Rubber chew toys provide a safer chewing outlet.
Dental treats and chews clean teeth without bone risks. Look for VOHC approved options.
Food puzzle toys provide mental stimulation without calories or choking hazards.

Should You Give Your Dog the Turkey Neck?

While turkey necks can provide some benefits for dogs, the potential health risks mean they may not be the best choice as a regular treat. Use extreme caution if feeding turkey necks and supervise your dog the entire time. For some dogs, a chew toy or dental chew is a safer choice.

Talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about feeding turkey necks to your dog. They can help you determine if turkey necks are appropriate based on your dog’s size, age, chewing habits and medical history. With some dogs, avoiding turkey necks altogether is the smartest option.

can dogs eat the turkey neck

Is Pure Life Raw made with human-grade ingredients?

We always source the best quality human-grade ingredients. Seriously, our pets eat better than us.

Check out our comprehensive FAQ here.

We partner with local farmers and distributors in California and pride ourselves on using meats, bones, and organs raised on pasture and grass-fed. Well never subject these fresh ingredients to HPP or pasteurization.

Can I feed Raw Meaty Bones if I don’t feed a raw diet?

Absolutely! Any quantity of fresh food is better than none at all.

Raw Meaty Bones are a great option for a fresh weekly treat to provide mental and physical stimulation, power-packed nutrients, and teeth and gum cleaning.

How to Make Turkey Neck Dog Treats – ONLY TWO STEPS! | Raw Feeding Dogs

FAQ

Can dogs eat the cooked turkey neck?

Yes, dogs can have turkey necks. They are very healthy. If you are cooking the turkey neck ensure to scrap off the meat and never serve the cooked bones to your dog. You can use the bones to make a bone broth.

What part of turkey can dogs not eat?

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.

Is turkey neck safe to eat?

If you’ve ever had turkey necks before, you’ll know that they can sometimes be a little bit tough if you don’t cook them correctly. If you deep fry them, then it’s usually no problem and they’ll be delicious! However, if you stew, or braise them, then the key is a long cooking time with lots of liquid.

Is it safe for dogs to eat neck bones?

Yes, dogs can eat pork neck bones as long as they are cooked properly and served in moderation. Raw pork bones can be hazardous to your dog’s health as they can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries. Therefore, it is crucial to cook the pork neck bones thoroughly before feeding them to your dog.

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.

Can dogs eat turkey necks on Thanksgiving?

To cook turkey necks for your dog, you can boil them in water for about 30 minutes or until they are fully cooked. Make sure to remove any excess fat or skin before feeding them to your dog. Can Dogs Eat People Food, Like Turkey Necks on Thanksgiving?

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!

Are turkey necks bad for dogs?

Additionally, turkey necks are rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are both known to support the joint health and mobility of dogs. Turkey necks are also healthy, fully digestible chews, supporting canine gum and dental health. Aren’t Poultry Bones Dangerous for Dogs?