Can You Feed Turkey Necks to Dogs?

Turkey necks are a popular treat for dogs, but some pet owners wonder if they are safe. The answer is yes, you can feed turkey necks to dogs, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

What are Turkey Necks?

Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey, including the bones, cartilage, muscle meat, and connective tissue They make an enticing chew for dogs because they contain meat and fat dogs love. Turkey necks provide mental enrichment through chewing and contain nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin that support joint health

Benefits of Feeding Turkey Necks to Dogs

There are several benefits to giving your dog turkey necks:

Dental Health: The chewing action helps clean teeth and reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
Mental Stimulation Chewing satisfies a natural instinct and keeps dogs entertained It may help relieve anxiety or boredom.
Joint Support: Turkey necks provide natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, which support cartilage health. This makes turkey necks great for dogs with arthritis.
Weight Management: Turkey necks are low in calories compared to many commercial dog treats. The chewing action helps dogs feel satisfied.
Nutrition: Turkey necks provide protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Are Raw Turkey Necks Safe for Dogs?

Raw turkey necks are safe for most dogs. The bones are soft, pliable, and easily digestible. Cooked bones splinter and can puncture the digestive tract.

Dogs’ stomach acid helps kill bacteria like salmonella. But proper food handling and storage is still important. Wash hands and disinfect surfaces after handling raw turkey necks.

Tips for Feeding Turkey Necks

Follow these tips for safe turkey neck feeding:

Choose turkey necks free of sharp shattered bones or defects.
Pick an appropriate size for your dog. Large breeds can handle larger necks.
Always supervise dogs when eating turkey necks to prevent choking.
Start with partial necks to assess chewing ability, especially for elderly dogs.
Feed turkey necks frozen or partially frozen to dogs who gulp food. The cold slows eating.
Limit turkey necks for dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease, or weight issues. They are high in fat.
Store turkey necks frozen until ready to use and thaw in the refrigerator.
Remove turkey necks if they pose a choking risk. Do not leave unattended.

How Often Can Dogs Eat Turkey Necks?

There is no standard for how often dogs can eat turkey necks. The frequency depends on your dog’s size, activity level, metabolism, and overall diet. Here are some general guidelines:

Small dogs: 1-2 necks per week.
Medium dogs: 1-2 necks 2-3 times per week.
Large/active dogs: 1 neck daily.

Monitor your dog’s body condition and adjust as needed. Obese or inactive dogs may only need a neck 1-2 times weekly. Highly active dogs can often handle more.

Turkey Neck Alternatives

Some other bone-in chews to consider instead of turkey necks include:

Beef knuckle bones
Lamb necks
Pork necks
Duck necks
Chicken wings or necks
Recreational bones

For dogs that gulp food, try stuffing turkey necks into a Kong or bone holding toy. This encourages slower nibbling.

You can also feed part of a neck to start rather than the whole thing. Hold the neck yourself and let your dog gnaw it down.

Are Turkey Necks Right for Your Dog?

While most dogs can safely and happily enjoy turkey necks, they are not right for every pooch. Avoid turkey necks if your dog:

Is a young puppy still growing.
Has had obstructed bowels, constipation issues, or gastrointestinal surgery.
Is an aggressive chewer and hard gulper.
Doesn’t chew well due to dental issues or pain.
Is taking medications that thin the blood or affect clotting.

Talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog eating turkey necks or raw bones. They can help assess safety and make individualized recommendations. With some precautions, turkey necks make a nutritional treat that provides enjoyment and health benefits.

can you feed 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.

Where do you source from?

We partner with local farmers and distributors in California and pride ourselves on using meats, bones, and organs raised on pasture and grass-fed. Well never subject these fresh ingredients to HPP or pasteurization.

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

FAQ

Can my dog eat turkey neck?

In addition to protein, turkey necks are a great source of calcium. Calcium is a mineral that is vital for your dog’s overall health, particularly when it comes to their bones and teeth. When your dog consumes calcium, it is absorbed into their bloodstream and transported to their bones and teeth.

What is turkey neck syndrome in dogs?

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 raw turkey bones?

No, your dog shouldn’t eat turkey bones. The only exception is a raw turkey neck, which we will talk about below. Turkey bones are generally small enough to swallow and they snap easily. This makes them a choking hazard, and their sharp broken parts can injure your dog’s mouth, throat, and digestive tract.

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.