NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be okay for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.
You may be wondering if you can share some turkey from your sandwich or delicious turkey dinner with your canine. Or what about a slice of turkey lunch meat?
Turkey in and of itself is fine for dogs and quite healthy, but there are some stipulations.
Here’s some info on whether you should feed your dog turkey—whether it’s a turkey leg, breast meat, jerky, or ground turkey—plus potential benefits and hazards to look out for.
Turkey is a lean protein that is low in fat and high in essential nutrients. Many pet owners wonder if it’s safe to feed their dog white turkey meat. The answer is yes, dogs can eat white turkey meat in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
An Overview of Turkey for Dogs
Turkey is commonly used as an ingredient in many commercial dog foods. It provides protein vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for dogs.
Some key facts about turkey for dogs:
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Turkey is a good source of protein. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass, supporting immune function, and providing energy.
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Turkey is lower in fat than dark poultry meat. Too much fat can lead to obesity and other health issues in dogs.
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White turkey meat contains less fat than dark turkey meat. The white meat is a leaner option.
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Turkey contains vitamins B6 and B12, riboflavin, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus – nutrients that support a dog’s health
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Fresh, unseasoned turkey has a high water content that helps keep dogs hydrated.
So high-quality turkey meat, without skin or seasoned, can be a nutritious addition to a dog’s diet in moderation.
Can Dogs Eat White Turkey Meat?
Yes, it is safe for dogs to eat white turkey meat in small amounts as an occasional treat. White turkey meat refers to breast meat, which is lean and contains less fat than dark meat.
There are some guidelines to follow when feeding white turkey meat to dogs:
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Serve it cooked, never raw. Thoroughly cooking turkey kills any potential bacteria like salmonella.
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Only feed your dog boneless, skinless white turkey meat. Bones can splinter and cause choking hazards or internal punctures. Skin is high in fat.
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Avoid seasoned turkey or turkey with gravy, which often contain onion and garlic – toxins for dogs. Plain white meat is best.
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Only feed small pieces of turkey and monitor your dog closely as they eat it. Large chunks could lead to choking.
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Introduce new foods slowly. If your dog has a sensitivity, a small serving allows you to watch for any intestinal upset.
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Don’t only feed your dog turkey. A balanced diet should include protein, carbohydrates, fruits/veggies, and healthy fats. Turkey works as an occasional protein source.
Following these tips will allow your dog to get the benefits of white turkey meat safely. It provides lean protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, and other nutrients dogs need.
Benefits of White Turkey Meat for Dogs
Feeding white turkey meat offers several benefits for dogs:
Excellent Source of Lean Protein
Protein is crucial for building and maintaining muscle mass, supporting immunity, supplying energy, and keeping dogs feeling full. The AKC recommends that adult dogs get at least 18% of their diet from high-quality protein sources.
Turkey is an excellent protein option that is lower in fat than other meats like beef or lamb. The white meat contains less fat than dark poultry meat. Dogs can better digest white meat protein than red meat protein as well.
Rich in B Vitamins
Turkey contains higher levels of B vitamins than many other meats. It provides thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), and vitamins B6 and B12.
These B vitamins support nervous system health, help convert food into energy, and assist with creating red blood cells in dogs. Vitamin B6 benefits heart health too.
Provides Phosphorus
Phosphorus works closely with calcium to help form strong bones and teeth in dogs. It also aids kidney function. Turkey is rich in bioavailable phosphorus.
Low Fat Option
Too much dietary fat can lead to obesity and pancreatitis in dogs. White turkey meat is one of the leanest protein options, with less than 1 gram of fat per serving. It can be fed to dogs without worry of weight gain or excess fat intake.
Hydrating
Fresh turkey has a high moisture content, so it helps contribute water to your dog’s diet. This supports hydration and urinary tract health.
As long as it is cooked, skinless, unseasoned, and fed properly in small amounts, turkey white meat makes a nutritious occasional addition to a dog’s diet. It provides high-quality protein, B vitamins, phosphorus and other key nutrients for dogs.
Potential Risks of Feeding Dogs Turkey
While turkey meat is safe and even healthy for dogs in moderation, there are some potential risks with certain types of turkey preparation and feeding.
Bones
Turkey bones should never be fed to dogs, whether raw or cooked. Cooked bones easily splinter and can cause internal puncture wounds, choking hazards, and serious damage to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract.
Raw turkey bones are also unsafe. They can fracture into shards when chewed and injure dogs internally.
Fatty Skin
The skin of turkey often contains a lot of fat. Too much fat at once risks upsetting your dog’s stomach or triggering pancreatitis. Avoid feeding skin to keep the fat content low.
Seasonings
Seasoned turkey or gravy can contain onions, garlic, spices, herbs, and other flavorings that are toxic to dogs. Only plain white meat with no additives should be fed.
Improper Cooking
Raw or undercooked turkey puts dogs at risk for contracting salmonella or other bacteria-related illnesses. Cook turkey thoroughly to at least 165°F internal temperature.
Portion Size
Too much turkey could lead to weight gain or vomiting/diarrhea if dogs eat it too quickly. Stick to small, bite-sized pieces and monitor your dog as they eat it.
Allergies
While rare, some dogs may be allergic to turkey. Look for signs like itching, gastrointestinal upset, hot spots on the skin, etc. Discontinue feeding if you suspect an allergy.
As long as you avoid these potential hazards by feeding only prepared plain white meat in small amounts, dogs can enjoy turkey safely and gain nutritional benefits from it. Monitor your dog closely anytime you offer new foods.
FAQs About White Turkey Meat for Dogs
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about feeding white turkey meat to dogs:
How much turkey can I feed my dog?
Only small amounts of turkey should be fed – a few thin slices or chunks a couple times per week at most. Too much turkey could lead to nutritional imbalance, weight gain, or digestive issues.
Is ground turkey safe for dogs?
Plain lean ground turkey, with no seasonings or additives, is fine for dogs in moderation. Check the ingredients label to verify there are no onions, garlic, salt, etc. Cook it thoroughly and feed bits warmed up in the microwave to avoid cold stomach upset.
Can I give my dog turkey cold cuts?
No, avoid feeding processed turkey like lunch meats, cold cuts, smoked turkey, etc. These are high in sodium, nitrates, nitrites, and other additives that are unsafe for dogs. Only cooked unseasoned white meat should be fed.
Can I feed my dog canned turkey dog food?
Yes, as long as the formula is designed for dogs with no onion, garlic, or other toxic ingredients. Stick to reputable commercial dog food brands. This can be a convenient way to provide more turkey nutrition.
How should I prepare turkey for my dog?
Cook boneless, skinless turkey breast or tenderloins until no pink remains and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cut into bite-sized pieces when cooled. Warm them up in the microwave before feeding to avoid any stomach upset from cold food.
Can puppies eat turkey?
Turkey is fine as an occasional treat for puppies over 12 weeks old. But their main diet should be a high-quality commercial puppy food formulated specifically for growth and development. Check with your vet before introducing any new proteins.
Does Turkey Make Dogs Sleepy?
You may have heard the myth about turkey making humans—or dogs—sleepy. But this isn’t the case. Although there is a nutrient in turkey called tryptophan that aids in good sleep and a good mood, turkey contains such a small amount that you would never eat enough in one sitting—or even one day—for it to influence your energy level. And the same goes for your pup.
Is Turkey Bad for Dogs?
Turkey isn’t bad for dogs when prepared and served correctly. It’s a lean, healthy animal protein that’s often a main ingredient in dog food recipes, and it can be given to your dog as a treat.
However, we tend to add all sorts of ingredients, seasonings, preservatives, and other additives to turkey that makes it unhealthy and sometimes unsafe for dogs.
If you’d like to feed a little turkey to your pup, follow these guidelines:
- Avoid the fatty parts
- Cook the meat fully
- Don’t add extra ingredients
- Always remove all the bones