There is much debate about the safety of giving dogs ‘real’ bones like those from a turkey. While bone-shaped biscuits may be a household staple for your best friend, we did some research as to the benefits and risks of feeding your pup a turkey bone. Here’s what you need to know before you throw a dog a bone.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many dog owners wonder if they can share a tasty turkey leg bone with their furry friend. While dogs love to gnaw on bones, turkey bones can be dangerous if given to dogs. In this article, we’ll explore the surprising truth about turkey leg bones for dogs and provide tips to keep your pup safe.
Why Are Turkey Bones Dangerous for Dogs?
Turkey bones pose a significant choking hazard and can cause serious digestive issues, Here’s why
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Cooked turkey bones splinter easily. Cooking causes bones to become brittle and dry. When chewed, they can fracture into sharp shards that can puncture the mouth, throat, stomach or intestines.
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Raw turkey bones are also dangerous. While less likely to splinter, raw turkey bones can still fracture into pieces. They also carry bacteria like Salmonella.
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Sharp fragments can lead to injuries or blockages. Bone pieces are jagged and can scrape or lacerate the digestive tract. They can also get stuck in the throat stomach or intestines, potentially requiring emergency surgery.
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Size of the bone matters. Large turkey leg bones are too big for most dogs to chew and pose a major choking risk. But even smaller bones can splinter.
Signs of Trouble After Eating Turkey Bones
If your dog accidentally swallows a turkey bone. watch for these signs of distress
- Choking, gagging or pawing at the mouth
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Strange behaviors like restlessness or anxiety
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Constipation or inability to pass stool
If you observe any of these symptoms, contact your vet right away. Timely treatment is crucial with a turkey bone obstruction.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Turkey Bone
First and foremost, never induce vomiting if your dog ate a bone. Bones can damage the esophagus coming back up. Instead, call your vet for advice. They may recommend:
- Monitoring your dog closely for signs of distress.
- Feeding a fiber supplement like canned pumpkin to allow the bone to safely pass through.
- X-rays to locate the bone and check for damage.
- Endoscopy to retrieve the stuck bone.
- IV fluids and pain medication.
- Surgery to remove an intestinal obstruction.
With prompt veterinary care, many dogs recover well after eating turkey bones. But prevention is the best policy.
Safer Alternatives to Turkey Bones for Dogs
Rather than putting your dog at risk with poultry bones, consider these safe alternatives:
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Dog chew toys. High quality rubber or nylon chews provide chewing satisfaction without breaking into pieces.
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Recreational raw bones. Raw beef or bison bones don’t splinter like poultry bones. Opt for large knuckle or femur bones.
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Edible dog bones. Products like Himalayan dog chews provide the chewing fun of a bone but are fully digestible.
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Dental sticks. Look for an oral care chew made specifically for dogs. These clean teeth and freshen breath.
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Frozen stuffed Kongs. Fill a Kong toy with peanut butter or wet food and freeze – provides hours of distraction!
Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe from Turkey Bones
Here are some helpful tips to keep your pooch from getting into turkey trouble:
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Store turkey carefully out of reach, even after the meat is gone. Dogs can sniff out bones long after a meal.
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Never leave leftover turkey unattended on the table or counter. Dogs are master food thieves!
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Dispose of turkey carcasses securely in a tightly closed bin. Your trash could become your dog’s treasure.
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Train your dog to “leave it” and “drop it” so you can stop bone snatching.
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Crate your dog in a separate room during holiday meals with tempting turkey bones.
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Share a small amount of boneless turkey meat instead of bones. Removing skin and seasoning is safest.
The Bottom Line on Turkey Bones for Dogs
While giving your dog a holiday turkey bone may seem like a nice gesture, it poses a significant risk of choking, gastrointestinal injury or expensive surgery. No bone is worth endangering your beloved pup! For safe chewing fun, choose an alternative dog-friendly chew toy or treat. With a little training and preparation, you and your dog can enjoy a bone-free Thanksgiving.
Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?
First things first, it’s important that you don’t ever feed cooked turkey bones to a dog. No matter how tempting it might be to let them have a little taste of that delicious holiday feast, cooked bones are dangerous for dogs. They can splinter and cause many problems, including injuries to the pup’s mouth and teeth, as well as intestinal blockages and gastric upset.
Injuries like broken teeth, cuts to the dog’s mouth, damage to the jaw, or bones lodged in the stomach may require surgery to repair. This is why it is important that you avoid giving your pup cooked bones. These injuries can be painful, expensive, and even in some cases, fatal. So, when it comes to cooked turkey bones and your pup, just say no (and don’t worry, we’ll remind you throughout the course of this blog post)!
Can dogs eat raw turkey bones?
After reading all of these potential consequences, you’re probably wondering if your pup can even have turkey bones at all. The answer is yes, as long as the bones are raw. Raw bones, in general, are usually a good option for pups to have, but turkey and chicken bones (as well as other types of poultry) still tend to be thinner and splinter easier. So if you do share some raw bone with your dog, it’s important that you supervise them closely when they’re eating.
Raw bones and meat can come with additional risks for foodborne illness. Most healthy dogs should be able to handle raw bones. But, if you have an elderly or immunocompromised dog, check with your vet before feeding anything raw. Remember to clean your dog’s dish and any cutting boards, knives, and food prep areas that came in contact with raw meat or bone to avoid the spread of bacteria and foodborne illnesses.
Can dogs eat a turkey leg bone?
FAQ
Can my dog eat a turkey leg bone?
Can I give my dog a leg bone?
How to cook turkey legs for dogs?
Can dogs eat turkey leg bones?
Dogs can eat turkey leg bones but they should be eaten raw. I know, it directly contradicts my advice about cooking turkey flesh. The thing is that when bones are cooked (as they are for your Thanksgiving turkey) they become brittle.
What happens if a dog eats a turkey bone?
Here are some of the potential risks and consequences of a dog eating a turkey bone: Mouth and tongue injuries: Bones can be fairly sharp. They can cut a dog’s mouth, causing bleeding and pain. While this isn’t always serious, it can sometimes lead to infections. Choking: If the bone gets stuck in your dog’s throat, it can cause choking.
What should I do if my dog eats a turkey leg?
When done eating, collect whatever is left of the turkey leg including extra bits all over the dishwasher—This way keeping Fido safe from potential worms caused by rotting bird meat. Also keep away bones inside a lidded trash can placed out-of-reach for dogs until garbage day arrives!
Can a dog eat a turkey leg after Thanksgiving?
The easiest would be to throw your dog a turkey leg straight after your Thanksgiving meal. But with the skin still on and the bone having been cooked, that option comes with risks. The next easiest option would be to break a leg off your turkey before you put it in the oven and feed it to your dog raw.