Turkey is a versatile meat that we use in everyday meals and it’s famous for its role in Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners around the world. You may have often wondered could you give your dog a little piece during dinner or a bit of the leftover turkey afterward. It poses the question to dog owners, can dogs eat turkey? In the past, we’ve answered similar questions, so go ahead and find out if dogs can eat cooked chicken, cooked pork and cooked beef.
The short answer is yes! Plain pieces of turkey meat offer many nutritional benefits to our canine friends. Turkey is a key ingredient in many dog foods. However, there are certain parts of the turkey and processed turkey products that we don’t feed to our dogs and we’ll discuss these in more detail below.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Breast? The Benefits and Potential Risks
Turkey is a lean, protein-packed meat that many dog owners like to share with their pups during the holidays. But is it really safe for dogs to eat turkey breast? While turkey can offer some nutritional benefits there are also a few potential risks to consider before feeding it to your furry friend. In this article we’ll take a closer look at whether dogs can eat turkey breast and how to do so safely.
The Benefits of Turkey for Dogs
When prepared properly, turkey breast can provide the following nutritional benefits for dogs:
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Protein. Turkey is a great source of high-quality protein. In fact, a 3 ounce serving of cooked turkey breast contains around 25 grams of protein. Protein is essential for building and maintaining lean muscle mass in dogs.
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Vitamin B6. Turkey breast is high in vitamin B6, an important vitamin for nerve function, energy metabolism and immune health in dogs. Vitamin B6 also helps dogs convert the protein they eat into energy.
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Niacin. Also known as vitamin B3, niacin supports skin and coat health in dogs. Turkey breast provides a healthy dose of niacin.
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Phosphorus. This mineral plays many important roles in dogs, including bone health and energy production. Turkey breast is a good source of phosphorus.
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Selenium. Turkey breast contains the antioxidant mineral selenium, which supports thyroid function and immune health in dogs.
So in moderation, plain cooked turkey breast can provide valuable nutrition for dogs. However, there are also some potential risks with feeding dogs turkey that need to be considered.
The Potential Risks of Feeding Turkey Breast to Dogs
While turkey breast offers nutritional benefits, it also carries some risks including:
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Bones. Turkey bones, including small bones in the breast, can splinter and cause choking hazards or damage the digestive tract. Never feed dogs turkey bones.
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Fatty skin. The fatty skin should not be fed to dogs as it can lead to pancreatitis. Stick to the lean meat only.
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Seasonings. Flavorings like garlic, onion, salt and other spices can be toxic for dogs and lead to an upset stomach. Only feed plain turkey meat.
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Allergies. Some dogs may have food allergies to poultry like turkey. Signs include itching, hair loss, ear infections and skin issues. Avoid turkey if your dog has a known poultry allergy.
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Raw meat hazards. Raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella and other bacteria that can make dogs sick. Always cook turkey thoroughly to a safe internal temperature.
So while turkey breast is safe for dogs in moderation, there are some important safety guidelines to follow.
Guidelines for Safely Feeding Turkey Breast to Dogs
If you want to share some tasty holiday turkey with your pup, here are some tips for doing so safely:
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Cook it thoroughly. Cook turkey breast to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any potential bacteria. Do not feed raw or undercooked turkey.
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Remove all bones. Carefully check the meat to remove any bones before feeding. Even small breast bones can pose a hazard.
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Avoid seasonings. Do not add any garlic, onion, salt, pepper or other flavorings which can harm dogs. Stick to plain meat.
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Cut into small pieces. Chop the turkey into bite-size pieces appropriate for your dog’s size to prevent choking.
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Limit portion size. Turkey should only make up a small portion of your dog’s diet. Feed just a few ounces at most.
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Monitor for allergies. When first introducing turkey, watch for any signs of allergic reaction and discontinue if they occur.
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Refrigerate promptly. Store any leftover turkey in the fridge and use within 2-3 days to prevent spoilage. Discard old turkey.
Following these simple guidelines will allow you to safely incorporate small amounts of turkey breast into your dog’s diet and provide the benefits of this nutritious meat as an occasional treat. Just be sure to avoid any pitfalls like bones, seasonings or overfeeding to keep your pup happy and healthy. And as always, check with your veterinarian about appropriate diet and portion sizes for your specific dog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs and Turkey Breast
Here are answers to some common questions dog owners have about feeding turkey breast to their pets:
Can I give my dog turkey everyday?
No, turkey should only be fed occasionally and in small portions as a treat. Too much turkey could lead to nutritional imbalances or obesity over time. Turkey breast should not make up the main component of a dog’s normal diet.
What part of turkey can dogs eat?
Dogs can eat lean, boneless, skinless turkey breast meat. Avoid feeding dogs any bones, fat, skin, or processed turkey like deli meat. Plain white or dark meat turkey breast is safest.
How much turkey should I give my dog?
As a general rule, treats like turkey should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. A few ounces of cooked turkey breast 2-3 times per week is a reasonable amount for most dogs. Very small dogs may only need 1-2 ounces. Check with your vet.
Can dogs eat raw turkey?
No, raw turkey may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella. Dogs should only eat turkey that has been thoroughly cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Never feed raw or undercooked turkey.
Can dogs eat turkey neck?
No, turkey necks present a choking risk for dogs due to their shape and small bones. Other turkey bones like legs and wings should also be avoided. Stick to boneless turkey breast meat only.
In conclusion, lean turkey breast meat that is cooked properly and given in moderation can make a healthy, protein-packed treat for dogs. Be sure to avoid any bones, skin, fat, seasonings or raw meat when feeding turkey to provide the benefits while minimizing the risks for your canine companion. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about incorporating turkey into your dog’s diet.
When to See a Vet
Your dog might eat a bit of fatty skin and be fine but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your dog has eaten fatty bits of skin, monitor closely for any signs of a tummy upset e.g. vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, reduced drinking, or sore tummy. See your vet for advice if you think your dog is unwell from eating this.
If your dog eats any quantity of bones, I would highly recommend a check-up with your veterinarian as soon as possible after the ingestion. Some dogs have eaten bones and been lucky but this is not the case for all dogs and some have become seriously unwell so it’s important to see your vet straight away. Processed turkey can contain lots of different seasonings and other meats so see your vet if you think your dog has eaten something harmful.
It’s important to note that some dogs will be much more sensitive to and likely to become unwell after eating processed meats, seasonings, fatty skin, etc. These may be dogs with sensitive tummies but they may also be dogs that have serious underlying health conditions e.g. diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, etc. and these dogs could become very unwell after eating certain foods. If your dog has an underlying health condition and has eaten something that may be harmful, don’t hesitate in calling your vet.
Turkey is healthy meat high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Plain unseasoned slices of turkey meat are a healthy food or treat for your dog. Avoid giving your dog turkey bones, skin and processed turkey products (sausages, lunch slices) as these may contain harmful additives and seasonings.
The Nutritional Benefits of Turkey for Dogs
First of all, let’s look at the nutritional statistics of turkey and see how beneficial it may be for our dogs.
Two slices of turkey (84 grams) with no skin contain;
- Calories: 117
- Protein: 24 grams
- Fat: 2 grams
- Carbs: 0 grams
Turkey is an important source of B vitamins (niacin, pyridoxine, B12) which are important for brain function and cell health. It’s also a good source of riboflavin, thiamine, selenium, zinc, and phosphorous. These vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy immune system and to support a healthy body.
From this, we can see that turkey is a nutritious food containing a lot of protein and plenty of vitamins and minerals that are needed to support body growth and health for our dogs.
Can dogs eat turkey breast steaks?
FAQ
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