Can I Give My Dog Raw Ground Turkey?

AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

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.

Raw turkey has become an increasingly popular food for dogs Many pet owners are interested in raw feeding, and turkey is a lean, protein-rich meat However, there are some important considerations when feeding raw turkey to dogs. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons, look at safety precautions, and provide tips for preparing and serving raw turkey to your dog.

The Benefits of Raw Turkey for Dogs

Feeding raw turkey has several potential benefits

Turkey is an excellent source of protein. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass, supporting immune function, and promoting general health and wellbeing in dogs.
Turkey contains important vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, and B vitamins. These nutrients support energy, metabolism, bone health, blood and oxygen flow, and more in dogs.
Raw turkey contains natural enzymes that may make it easier to digest than cooked turkey. Cooking denatures or destroys these enzymes.
Some pet owners and veterinarians believe raw food is healthier than processed kibble in general. Raw diets are thought to mimic the natural ancestral diet of dogs more closely.
Chewing raw turkey provides mental stimulation and satisfies dogs’ instinct to tear meat from bones. This may help prevent destructive chewing behaviors.
Raw feeding allows you to control exactly what goes into your dog’s diet. You can avoid unwanted additives found in some commercial dog foods.

Concerns About Raw Turkey for Dogs

While raw turkey has benefits, there are also some risks and things to be cautious about:

Bacteria. Raw meat carries a risk of bacteria like salmonella and listeria. Dogs are actually more resistant to bacteria from raw meat than humans, but problems can still occur. Good food handling practices are important.
Bones. Raw turkey bones can splinter and cause obstructions or perforations in the gastrointestinal tract. Bones should always be supervised when given.
Nutrient balance. Turkey alone is not a complete diet. A raw diet should include a variety of meats and organs to provide balanced nutrition.
Nutrient loss. Some nutrients like vitamin E and B vitamins are lost during freezing and thawing of raw turkey. Rotation and variety helps provide a complete nutritional profile.
Choking risk. Some dogs may try to swallow large pieces of turkey and be at risk for choking. Supervision is recommended.
Allergies. While rare, some dogs may have allergies to poultry. Diarrhea or skin irritation may occur.

With proper precautions, these risks can be minimized in healthy adult dogs. Puppies, seniors, pregnant females, and immunocompromised dogs may be at higher risk of complications. Check with your vet before feeding raw turkey to more vulnerable dogs.

Is Ground Turkey Better Than Whole?

Ground turkey is often safer and easier to feed than whole turkey. The ground meat has smaller, uniform pieces that reduce choking risk. Bones are also ground into small, soft fragments rather than large, hard pieces.

Ground turkey is safer for dogs with a tendency to gulp food. It’s also more convenient since you don’t have to cut pieces or separate bone and meat. Lean ground turkey provides the same nutritional benefits as whole turkey.

One thing to note is that commercial ground turkey is more likely to harbor bacteria compared to whole cuts. Extra food safety care should be taken with pre-ground meat.

Tips for Preparing and Serving Raw Turkey

If you want to feed your dog raw turkey, here are some tips for doing it safely:

Select high-quality turkey. Choose human-grade meat from reputable sources. Avoid pre-ground turkey from the grocery store due to higher bacterial loads.
Handle carefully. Keep raw turkey sealed until ready to serve. Wash hands and disinfect surfaces after handling. Defrost in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Remove skin and bones (or supervise closely). The skin, fat, and bones pose the most risks. Lean ground turkey or boneless cuts are safest.
Cut into bite-sized pieces. Cut meat into small pieces to reduce choking. About 1/2 to 1 inch pieces are ideal for medium or large dogs.
Avoid seasonings and cooking. Do not add any salt, spices, oils, or other flavorings. Cooked turkey loses many of the raw feeding benefits.
Serve in moderation. Feed raw turkey as no more than 50% of the total diet. Combine with other proteins and veggies for balanced nutrition.
Supervise mealtime. Watch your dog as they eat to be sure they are chewing thoroughly and not gulping large pieces.

Following basic food safety guidelines and supervising at mealtime will help make raw turkey a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. As with any new food, start with small amounts and discontinue feeding if any digestion or allergy issues develop. Most healthy dogs can benefit from lean, raw turkey in moderation as part of a varied raw or home-cooked diet.

can i give my dog raw ground turkey

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?

Cooked poultry bones are brittle. This, combined with their smaller size, makes them very dangerous for dogs. Veterinarians caution against feeding dogs cooked bones of any kind, including poultry bones, as they can cause the following problems:

Mouth and tongue injuries
Obstruction of the throat or intestinal tract
Choking
Possibly piercing stomach and intestine lining
Constipation
Rectal bleeding from sharp bone fragments
Blockages that require emergency surgery

Some dog owners will choose to feed their dogs raw meaty bones as part of their diet, and in consultation with their vet. Raw turkey necks are a common choice for this purpose, but any raw meaty bone carries with it a risk of exposure to bacteria like salmonella. Talk with your vet about using raw meaty turkey bones for your dog to learn more about possible risks and benefits.

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 I feed my dog ground turkey everyday?

FAQ

Can I give raw ground turkey to my dog?

Plain, unseasoned, boneless, skinless turkey is safe for cats and dogs in small amounts. While you can give raw turkey to your pets, you increase their risk of bacterial contamination, like contracting salmonella. Raw meat is also not recommended for puppies, dogs with cancer, and dogs with liver or kidney disease.

What if my dog ate raw turkey?

While cooked turkey is a lean and healthy protein for your dog, raw turkey can put your dog at risk of bacterial contamination such as salmonella. This bacteria often leads to gastrointestinal illness. A prolonged diet of raw meat can also lead to an unbalanced diet.

Is raw or cooked turkey better for dogs?

Dogs should not eat raw turkey as this can increase the likelihood of contracting a bacterial infection, like salmonella, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues. If you feed your dog turkey, it should be cooked well and, as we mentioned, should be plain.

What raw ground meat can dogs eat?

Yes. Beef mince is safe for dogs to eat and it has the same nutritional benefits as raw beef.

Can dogs eat raw turkey?

Raw meat is not recommended for puppies, dogs with liver or kidney failure, or dogs with cancer. Salmonella food poisoning is a risk for dogs that eat contaminated raw turkey. Symptoms may include: We’ve got tons of articles about which foods are safe or dangerous for your dog, from common snacks to fruits.

What are the health benefits of ground turkey?

Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.

Is ground turkey good for dogs?

Ground turkey is a good source of protein for dogs. Ground turkey is low in fat and calories. Ground turkey is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and niacin. Ground turkey can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. What is ground turkey? Ground turkey is a type of ground meat made from turkey.

Can a dog eat too much ground turkey?

You don’t want to include too much ground turkey in your dog’s diet, as it doesn’t contain every nutrient that your dog needs. Therefore, you need to consider your dog’s whole diet and make adjustments appropriately. Ground turkey can be a healthy supplement to many dogs’ diets.