Can I Give My Dog Turkey Neck?
Turkey necks have become a popular treat for dogs in recent years. They provide a meaty bone that many dogs love to chew on. However, there are some important things to consider before feeding turkey necks to your dog.
What are Turkey Necks?
Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey, including the vertebrae, muscle meat, cartilage, and connective tissue. They are an edible byproduct from turkey processed for human consumption. Turkey necks for dogs are usually sold raw and whole, but can also be found freeze dried as a safer alternative. A typical turkey neck weighs around 1/2 pound.
Potential Benefits of Turkey Necks for Dogs
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Meaty Treat – Turkey necks provide a good source of protein, fat, and nutrients for dogs. The bone adds calcium and phosphorus too.
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Dental Health – Chewing on turkey necks can help clean dogs’ teeth and reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
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Mental Enrichment – Gnawing on turkey necks provides mental stimulation and satisfies dogs’ natural desire to chew.
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Joint Health – Turkey necks contain glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds that support healthy joints. But the amount is likely too low to treat joint problems.
Potential Risks of Feeding Turkey Necks
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Choking Hazard – Gulping down large pieces can cause choking. Dogs who swallow turkey necks whole are at greatest risk.
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Gastrointestinal Obstruction – Turkey neck bones can cause blockages or perforations if they do not digest. Cooked bones splinter more easily.
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Bacteria – Raw turkey necks may contain Salmonella, E. coli and other harmful bacteria. Frozen turkey necks are safer.
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Constipation – The high bone content can lead to constipation or straining to pass stool.
Guidelines for Feeding Turkey Necks Safely
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Supervise your dog when eating turkey necks and remove it if they gulp pieces.
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Only feed raw or dehydrated turkey necks, never cooked. Cooked bones splinter easily.
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Feed an appropriate size neck for your dog’s size. Larger breeds can handle bigger necks.
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Limit turkey necks to one or two times a week to prevent weight gain or constipation issues.
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Feed turkey necks outside or on an easy to clean surface to avoid spreading bacteria indoors.
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Avoid turkey necks if your dog has diarrhea, constipation, is immunocompromised, or has had prior obstruction.
Talk to your veterinarian about the risks and benefits of turkey necks for your individual dog. While turkey necks can make a tasty treat, they are not without risks. Supervision and moderation is key when feeding turkey necks to dogs.
Can I feed Raw Meaty Bones if I don’t feed a raw diet?
Absolutely! Any quantity of fresh food is better than none at all.
Raw Meaty Bones are a great option for a fresh weekly treat to provide mental and physical stimulation, power-packed nutrients, and teeth and gum cleaning.
Can I feed it cooked? Are bones dangerous?
Cooked bones are dangerous as they can splinter and are very sharp. Raw meaty bones are pliable and soft and break easily at the joint. Your pet is meant to eat meat and bones in their raw form. Never feed cooked bones.
How to Make Turkey Neck Dog Treats – ONLY TWO STEPS! | Raw Feeding Dogs
Can dogs eat turkey necks on Thanksgiving?
To cook turkey necks for your dog, you can boil them in water for about 30 minutes or until they are fully cooked. Make sure to remove any excess fat or skin before feeding them to your dog. Can Dogs Eat People Food, Like Turkey Necks on Thanksgiving?
Can a dog eat too many turkey necks?
This condition can be caused when dogs eat TOO MANY turkey necks (and head meat), or only turkey necks for their raw meaty bone allowance. It still seems to be a rare occurrence that’s likely linked to a predisposition in some dogs towards hyperthyroidism.
Can a dog eat raw turkey necks?
If you choose to feed your dog a raw diet, you can give them raw turkey necks. However, if you prefer to feed your dog cooked food, you should fully cook the turkey necks before feeding them to your dog. To cook turkey necks for your dog, you can boil them in water for about 30 minutes or until they are fully cooked.
Are turkey necks good for dogs?
Turkey necks are high in protein which is essential for muscle development, healthy skin and coat, and the production of hormones and enzymes – just to name a few of its many functions! Growing puppies naturally have a higher requirement for protein than adult dogs, though highly active dogs may also benefit from extra protein in their diet.