can my dog have turkey neck – THEKITCHENTODAY

Can My Dog Have Turkey Neck?

Turkey necks are a popular treat for dogs, but many pet owners wonder – can my dog have turkey neck? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of feeding turkey necks to dogs.

What Are Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey including the bones, cartilage, muscles and connective tissues. They are considered a byproduct of the poultry industry and not intended for human consumption.

Turkey necks provide an excellent source of protein, minerals like calcium and phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, and more. The bones are also softer than many other bones, making them enticing for dogs to chew.

Potential Benefits of Turkey Necks for Dogs

There are several potential benefits of giving your dog turkey necks:

Dental health The chewing action may help remove plaque and tartar buildup This can support better dental health.
Mental stimulation Turkey necks provide enrichment by satisfying your dog’s natural instinct to chew It gives them something productive to focus their chewing and helps relieve boredom or stress.
Joint health: Turkey necks contain glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds used in joint supplements. While the amounts are likely too low to treat arthritis, it may support joint health in healthy dogs.

Are Turkey Necks Safe for Dogs?

While turkey necks can provide benefits, they do come with some risks to be aware of:

Choking hazards: Dogs that gulp their food may choke on turkey necks or obstruct their throat/esophagus.
Intestinal blockages: The bones may clump together and cause a blockage requiring emergency surgery.
Bacterial contamination: Raw meat carries risks of Salmonella, E. coli, and other dangerous bacteria.
Broken teeth: Aggressive chewers may damage their teeth on the bones.
Constipation: The high bone content can lead to constipation.

So while turkey necks can be fed safely with precautions, there are definite risks to keep in mind. Some vets recommend avoiding bones altogether.

Tips for Feeding Turkey Necks Safely

If you do choose to feed your dog turkey necks, follow these tips to reduce risks:

Supervise your dog while they chew on the neck. This allows you to monitor them and intervene if any issues arise.
Only feed raw, never cooked. Cooked bones splinter easily and can puncture the gastrointestinal tract.
Introduce slowly if your dog is not used to eating bones. Start with softer bones like chicken necks before progressing to turkey necks.
Feed an appropriate sized neck for your dog’s size. Giant breeds can handle larger necks than small breeds.
Feed outside or on an easy-to-clean surface. Raw meat spreads bacteria easily. Disinfect any surfaces afterwards.
Never feed to puppies, who have different nutritional needs. Stick to a high-quality commercial puppy food.
Ask your vet first if your dog has any health conditions. Turkey necks may not be appropriate for dogs with kidney disease, pancreatitis, obesity, or other illnesses.

How Often Can Dogs Have Turkey Necks?

There is no set formula for how often you can give your dog turkey necks. It depends on your individual dog’s size, caloric needs, chewing habits, and more.

For a generally healthy medium-sized dog, feeding one turkey neck 1-2 times per week is appropriate in most cases. Small dogs or those who gulp their food may only handle a neck every 2-3 weeks.

Monitor your dog’s body condition and adjust accordingly. Obese dogs should not receive turkey necks often due to the high calories. For dogs who chew aggressively, limit to once a month or less frequently to avoid dental damage.

Turkey necks should always be an occasional treat, not a daily occurrence or meal replacement. Feeding too frequently increases risks of digestive upsets.

Can Puppies Have Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are not recommended for puppies under one year old. The bones present a choking risk, and puppy diets need careful calcium/phosphorus ratios for proper bone development.

Stick to high-quality commercial puppy foods and treats designed for growing dogs. Once your puppy reaches adulthood, you can try introducing turkey necks slowly.

Alternatives to Turkey Necks for Dogs

If you decide turkey necks are not the best option for your dog, consider these safer alternatives:

Dental chews – Look for VOHC accepted products proven to reduce tartar.
Chew toys – Nylon bones and rubber chew toys provide chewing satisfaction without risks.
Baby carrots or apple slices – Low-calorie crunchy treats for dental health.
Chicken necks or wings – Smaller bones for smaller dog breeds.
Bully sticks – Digestible chewing option, though still high in calories.

Can my dog have turkey necks? In most cases, yes – in moderation. Turkey necks can provide dental, mental, and joint health benefits. However, there are also risks like choking, blockages, and bacteria to consider. Use precautions and limit turkey necks to occasional treats rather than daily meals. Monitor your individual dog’s tolerance carefully and adjust as needed. For higher risk dogs, safer chew alternatives are available. Discuss any diet changes with your veterinarian, especially for puppies or dogs with health conditions. With sensible precautions and limits, turkey necks can be a tasty, beneficial treat for many dogs.

can my dog have turkey neck

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.

What are Raw Meaty Bones (RMB)?

Dogs and Cats have a nutritional requirement for calcium. Raw edible bone provides this essential mineral in a raw diet. Raw Meaty Bones are all-natural, soft, pliable bones your pet can crunch, tear through and eat. Raw Meaty bones are also rich in phosphorus, amino acids, protein, essential fatty acids, fiber, enzymes, and antioxidants. They’re great for pets with sensitive stomachs and food allergies as a single-ingredient treat. Our signature raw meal blends contain ground-up raw meaty bones mixed in. Some examples include Chicken necks, feet, Pork riblets, and Duck wings.

You can hand-feed RMB using a paper towel to encourage slower eating if necessary. It is perfectly safe and healthy for your pet to enjoy appropriately sized, non-weight-bearing raw bones. In fact, feeding RMBs provides jaw exercise, mental stimulation, and natural teeth cleaning. For teething puppies and kittens, RMBs are a great alternative to furniture and shoes!

Unless your pet has an underlying condition that prevents them from being able to chew bones (missing/fractured teeth, gulper feeding style), whole raw meaty bones are an excellent addition for them regardless of their primary source of food.

General RMB Diet Requirements based on age:

Kitten and Puppies- 17%

*Very small kittens and puppies may require ground bone until their jaws are strong

*Kittens get their adult teeth around 6 months and can move to larger bones

How to Make Turkey Neck Dog Treats – ONLY TWO STEPS! | Raw Feeding Dogs

FAQ

Can I give my dog a turkey neck?

All in all, turkey necks can certainly be a nutritious treat for dogs when prepared and fed with caution. However, carefully consider the potential risks, such as choking hazards, digestive blockages, and bacterial contamination.

Why does my dog suddenly have turkey neck?

This rare genetic disorder is known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome but is also known as cutaneous asthenia. It’s a connective tissue disease where the skin is exceedingly extensible causing visible sagging around the neck, shoulder, and back area along with other signs such as joint laxity and ocular abnormalities.

Can dogs eat neck bone meat?

Beef neck bones are generally safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are properly cooked and served in appropriate portions. Cooking the bones helps soften them and reduces the risk of splintering, which can be harmful to dogs.

Is turkey neck broth good for dogs?

Don’t throw away your turkey neck this holiday season! Use it to make Turkey Neck Bone Broth for Dogs! This broth is packed with nutrients and can be the perfect topper to any meal!