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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.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course—delicious food. As you prepare your holiday feast, your pup may look longingly at the giant turkey on the table, begging for a taste. But is it safe for dogs to indulge in Thanksgiving turkey? Here’s what veterinarians and experts say.
The Short Answer
Yes dogs can eat plain, unseasoned turkey meat in small amounts on Thanksgiving. However you should never feed dogs turkey bones, skin, fat, or seasoned meat, which can cause pancreatitis and other health issues. Stick to a few bites of plain meat only.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Meat?
Turkey meat without skin, bones, or seasoning is safe for dogs to eat. Many commercial dog foods actually contain turkey as a lean protein source.
Veterinarian Dr. Gary Ochoa says, “Turkey meat, without any seasoning or preparation, can be an occasional treat for dogs during the holidays.”
Just be sure to only feed cooked, plain, white turkey meat. Avoid any meat that has been seasoned, contains bones, skin, or excess fat.
Dangers of Thanksgiving Turkey for Dogs
While plain turkey meat is fine, there are a few dangers of feeding dogs certain turkey parts:
Bones
Never feed dogs cooked turkey bones. Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause serious internal injury if swallowed.
Veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson warns, “Poultry bones are hollow and dangerous. They can easily splinter and cause harm to your pet’s mouth, throat or intestines.”
Skin
Turkey skin is too fatty for dogs and may cause pancreatitis. The juices and oils can also upset your dog’s stomach.
Seasonings
Avoid seasoned turkey or gravy, which contain onions, garlic, butter, and other ingredients that are toxic or dangerous for dogs.
Fatty Meat
The darker turkey meat often has more fat content. Too much can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. Stick to lean light meat only.
Dog-Safe Thanksgiving Foods
While turkey meat is okay for dogs, limit portions. Here are some other dog-safe options for Thanksgiving:
- Plain sweet potatoes
- Green beans without salt or butter
- Plain pumpkin puree
- Apples without seeds or core
- Plain white potatoes without butter or salt
- Cranberries (limit due to sugar)
Always check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog, especially if they have allergies or dietary issues.
Thanksgiving Turkey Feeding Tips
If you want to share a small bit of turkey meat with your pup, follow these tips:
- Only feed cooked, plain white meat without bones, skin, or fat
- Never season the meat or feed turkey gravy
- Only provide a few small bites
- Introduce new foods slowly
- Make sure your dog finishes their own dog food first
- Don’t allow turkey “people food” treats regularly or make a habit of it
While turkey meat is relatively safe for dogs, moderation is key. As always, check with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog and holiday foods. They can provide personalized advice on your pup’s diet.
The Takeaway
Plain, unseasoned, cooked turkey meat is okay for dogs to eat in small amounts as an occasional holiday treat. But do not feed dogs any turkey bones, skin, fats/oils, or seasoned meat, which can be dangerous. For a safe Thanksgiving, stick to just a few bites of plain white meat minus the delicious skin and gravy. As with any human foods, feed turkey sparingly.
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.)
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 Thanksgiving turkey?
FAQ
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