can you have turkey bones to dogs

Can You Give Your Dog Turkey Bones? The Risks and Benefits Explained

Many dog owners have leftover turkey bones after a meal and wonder if they can share them with their canine companions. While dogs are known for being able to eat almost anything, turkey bones require caution. This article will examine the risks and benefits of feeding dogs turkey bones to help you make an informed decision.

Cooked vs. Raw Turkey Bones

There are significant differences between cooked and raw turkey bones that impact their safety for dogs. Raw bones still contain moisture and are somewhat flexible. Chewing raw bones can help clean dogs’ teeth and exercise their jaws. However, raw turkey bones can sometimes splinter and block or puncture a dog’s digestive tract. Raw bones may also carry bacteria like Salmonella.

On the other hand, cooking causes turkey bones to become brittle and dry. The brittle bones easily shatter into small sharp fragments that can damage a dog’s mouth, throat and stomach. Jagged bone pieces may become embedded in the tongue or gums or get caught in the throat, potentially choking the dog. The fragments are also a hazard if swallowed, since they can pierce internal organs or cause intestinal obstructions.

Overall, both raw and cooked turkey bones come with potentially serious risks and provide little nutritional value. Most veterinarians recommend avoiding giving dogs any turkey bones.

Signs of Trouble After Eating Turkey Bones

If your dog managed to eat some turkey bones before you could stop them, watch for these common signs of distress:

• Choking, gagging, or coughing
• Attempting to vomit without bringing anything up
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Straining but inability to pass stool
• Black, tarry stools
• Vomiting blood
• Abdominal pain and distension

Any of these require an immediate trip to the veterinarian, as they indicate a bone fragment is stuck or internal injury has occurred. Time is of the essence in these cases to avoid lasting damage or even death. Your vet will examine your dog and may need to perform imaging tests or surgery to remove foreign material.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Turkey Bones

Act quickly if you discover your dog has eaten turkey bones to try preventing issues:

• Do not induce vomiting, as bones can further injure your dog coming back up.

• Carefully check your dog’s mouth and throat for any remaining bones and remove them.

• Feed several small meals of moist, soft food like canned pumpkin or mashed potatoes to cushion remaining bones as they pass through.

• Monitor for signs of distress over the next 2-3 days until all bones have passed.

Preventing Turkey Bone Ingestion

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to dogs and turkey bones. Here are some tips:

• Never purposefully feed turkey bones to your dog as treats or supplements.

• Remove plates and bones immediately after holiday meals so dogs cannot access them.

• Dispose of bones, carcasses, and scraps in sealed trash bags in lidded cans dogs cannot get into.

• Train your dog using positive reinforcement not to steal food or rummage for scraps.

• Keep dogs separated from trash areas when unsupervised. Use baby gates, crates, or closed doors to restrict access.

• Monitor dogs outside in case they find discarded bones on the ground.

Alternatives to Turkey Bones

Luckily, there are many safer bone alternatives to provide chewing enjoyment and dental health. Consider these options:

• Raw meaty bones from non-poultry sources like lamb, beef, or pork. Always supervise to avoid choking.

• Processed bones and chews designed for canine consumption, often made from ingredients like chicken cartilage.

• Synthetic Nylabones or Gumabones made from nylon or rubber.

• Raw, frozen, or dehydrated single-ingredient bones from companies like Oma’s Pride or Northwest Naturals.

• Non-bone chews like bully sticks, tendons, hooves, or antlers.

Avoid bones from fish, weight-bearing leg bones, and smoked bones, which all have their own safety concerns. When in doubt, check with your veterinarian for chewing recommendations tailored to your dog.

The Bottom Line

While the idea of sharing turkey leftovers with your dog may be tempting, turkey bones simply pose too many risks. From choking hazards to intestinal perforation, cooked and raw turkey bones can potentially seriously injure or kill a dog in the worst cases. Stick to more appropriate bones and chews that are designed to be as safe as possible. Your dog will still get to enjoy chewing, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re protecting their health. If they do manage to grab some forbidden turkey bones, call your vet right away for prompt treatment. With some care and prevention, you can both enjoy worry-free holidays together for years to come.