Does Turkey Give Dogs Diarrhea?

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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.

For many families, turkey is a staple during the holiday season. After enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving or Christmas feast, it can be tempting to share some tasty turkey meat and scraps with your furry friend. However, you may notice your dog develops diarrhea after eating turkey. So, does turkey give dogs diarrhea? Let’s take a closer look.

Why Turkey May Cause Diarrhea in Dogs

There are a few reasons why turkey could cause diarrhea in dogs:

Seasonings and Oils

Turkey served at holiday meals is often seasoned with onions, garlic, herbs like sage, and oil or butter. Onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Too much fat from oils and butter can also lead to stomach upset. The additional seasonings and spices used on the turkey can further irritate your dog’s digestive tract.

Rich Meat

Turkey meat itself is very rich. Feeding your dog fatty scraps of turkey skin or meat after a meal can overwhelm your dog’s digestive system and cause diarrhea.

Abrupt Diet Change

Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can disrupt their digestive tract. If your dog is used to eating dog food and you suddenly give them a large helping of turkey, their stomach may react negatively.

Bones

Cooked turkey bones easily splinter and can cause injuries or blockages if swallowed This can also lead to diarrhea.

Allergies

Some dogs may have food allergies to poultry. This could cause diarrhea after eating turkey.

Signs Your Dog Has Diarrhea from Turkey

Here are some signs your dog may have diarrhea from eating turkey:

Loose, watery stools
Urgent need to go outside
Accidents in the house
Excessive gas or flatulence
Lack of appetite
Vomiting
Dehydration

Diarrhea usually develops within a few hours of your dog eating turkey. Look for these symptoms to know if turkey is the likely culprit.

Dangers of Turkey-Induced Diarrhea

Diarrhea seems like an inconvenience, but it can quickly turn serious. Dehydration from fluid loss is a major risk. Diarrhea can also progress to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, where your dog’s stools contain blood.

Additionally, diarrhea can cause electrolyte imbalances. These imbalances interfere with proper muscle and nerve function. In severe cases, diarrhea can even cause seizures.

What to Do If Your Dog Has Diarrhea

If you suspect turkey caused your dog to develop diarrhea, here are some steps to take:

Withhold food: Give your dog’s gastrointestinal tract a rest by not feeding them for 6-12 hours. Offer small amounts of water frequently to prevent dehydration.
Consider a bland diet: Once the fast is over, feed your dog a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for a few days until stools return to normal.
Visit your vet: If diarrhea is severe, bloody, or persists more than 24 hours, take your dog to the vet right away. They can provide anti-diarrheal medication, intravenous fluids, or other treatments.
Prevent dehydration: Offer your dog ice cubes, low-sodium chicken broth, or hydration supplements to replenish fluids.

With prompt care, cases of holiday diarrhea often resolve on their own. But don’t hesitate to call your vet if you have any concerns.

How to Prevent Turkey-Induced Diarrhea

You can take steps to reduce the chances of diarrhea if you plan on giving your dog turkey:

Remove all bones, skin, fat, and seasonings before feeding turkey to your dog. This eliminates most irritants and toxins.
Introduce new foods like turkey gradually over several days instead of all at once. Mix a small bit with your dog’s regular food.
Limit turkey to just a few small pieces. Feeding too much can overwhelm your dog’s stomach.
Opt for plain boiled turkey breast with no seasonings. The less enriched meat is easier to digest.
Consult your vet about appropriate holiday foods and portions for your individual dog. Some dogs have more sensitive stomachs.

Following these guidelines will allow your dog to enjoy a little holiday turkey without disrupting their digestive tract!

When to Avoid Turkey Entirely

While most dogs can handle small amounts of plain turkey meat, there are some cases where it is better to avoid it altogether:

Dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues
Dogs with frequent diarrhea or sensitive stomachs
Dogs with food allergies to poultry
Small breed dogs with delicate digestive systems
Puppies still transitioning to solid foods

For these dogs, it is safest to refrain from turkey and stick to their regular diet. Check with your vet for personalized recommendations.

During the holidays, many dog owners want to share a taste of the festivities with their pets. However, rich and seasoned turkey often leads to diarrhea in dogs. To prevent this, only feed your dog unseasoned turkey meat in small quantities. If diarrhea still develops, withhold food temporarily and have your vet examine your dog if symptoms persist. With some care and planning, your dog can safely partake in the Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey!

does turkey give dogs diarrhea

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 Dogs Eat Turkey?

Whether or not dogs can eat turkey depends on how the turkey is cooked. Turkey is not inherently toxic to dogs. It’s used as an ingredient in many commercial dog foods, and is rich in protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous. When turkey is cooked plain—in other words, without added salt, fat, or seasonings—turkey can be a wholesome part of a homemade dog food diet under the guidance of your veterinarian.

does turkey give dogs diarrhea

That said, the turkey we eat on Thanksgiving platters is rarely cooked “plain.” We rub our birds with butter or oil, and season them with all sorts of combinations of salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. Many cooks opt to stuff their turkey with onions, garlic, apples, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and more. To people eating the meal, all of these flavors, aromas, and textures can be delicious. For our dogs, some of these seemingly healthy ingredients can actually be toxic (ie, onions). Even if some common Thanksgiving ingredients aren’t exactly toxic to dogs, they can still be a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset or pancreatitis. (And just so there’s no confusion: onions are toxic to dogs.)

Does turkey meat give dogs diarrhea?

FAQ

Is turkey hard on dogs stomach?

Turkey skin is very high in fat and along with obvious fatty pieces of meat, can cause issues for our dogs if they eat these parts of the turkey. High amounts of fat can cause tummy upsets and discomfort.

What foods cause diarrhea in dogs?

Milk and Other Dairy Products Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems for your pup. They can also trigger food allergies, which can cause them to itch.

Is turkey easily digestible for dogs?

Turkey can even be good for dogs: it’s an easy protein for dogs to digest and can be a great source of vitamin B2 and essential minerals like phosphorus. But some types of turkey can be bad for dogs, so keep reading to find out how to safely feed turkey meat to your pup.

What is better for dogs, chicken or turkey?

High protein, low fat, and low calories make turkey stand out for less active or overweight dogs. Turkey is rich in nutrients, helps build muscle mass, and can be good alternative for dogs with chicken or other protein allergies. Just like chicken and duck, turkey is a highly digestible meat.

Can dogs eat turkey?

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.

Can one eat turkey sandwich with diarrhea?

Ideally, you should avoid processed and very fatty foods, such as ready-made sauces, fried foods and sausages, as well as foods that can cause the production of gases. During diarrhea it is important to prioritize easily digestible foods, lean meats, such as chicken and fish; and peeled fruits, which will help with digestion, control the volume of bowel movements and relieve stomach pain.

Is Thanksgiving turkey bad for dogs?

No, Thanksgiving turkey is not bad for dogs. In fact, it can be a healthy addition to their diet in moderation. Turkey provides essential proteins and amino acids that are beneficial for canine health. However, it should always be served plain without added seasonings or oils as these can cause digestive issues.

Can doggos eat turkey?

While table scraps aren’t always the best nutritional option for doggos, JustFoodForDogs was founded upon the knowledge that many whole, delicious “people foods” can benefit humans and canines alike. One such food is turkey.