Is Turkey Bad For Dogs? The Truth About Feeding Turkey To Your Dog

Turkey is a staple during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. As you carve up the bird and prepare those leftovers, your dog is likely eying up the turkey from under the table, hoping for a taste. But is turkey bad for dogs? Can dogs eat turkey or should you resist those pleading puppy dog eyes?

The answer isn’t quite as simple as yes or no There are a few factors to consider before determining if turkey is bad for your dog

Can Dogs Eat Turkey?

Plain, unseasoned, cooked turkey meat without any bones, fat, or skin can be a healthy treat for dogs in small quantities. Many commercial dog foods and treats even contain turkey as an ingredient. Ground turkey can also make a nutritious addition to your dog’s regular meals.

So turkey meat itself is not inherently bad for dogs. In fact it provides lean protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, there are some preparations of turkey that can cause problems.

Is Turkey Skin Bad For Dogs?

The skin on turkey contains a high amount of fat. Too much fat at once can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis causes the pancreas to become inflamed and swollen, resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration, and other serious complications.

So it’s best to play it safe and only feed your dog turkey meat without any skin attached.

Are Turkey Bones Bad For Dogs?

While dogs love to gnaw on bones, poultry bones like turkey can easily splinter and cause injuries or internal damage. Turkey bones pose risks including:

• Mouth and throat injuries
• Choking hazards
• Intestinal blockages or obstructions
• Internal puncture wounds
• Constipation or difficulty defecating

Some of these conditions may require emergency veterinary care. So turkey bones should always be avoided.

Is Seasoned Turkey Bad For Dogs?

Any seasoned turkey meat or gravy should be off limits. Herbs and spices commonly used for cooking turkey such as garlic, onions, sage, rosemary can be toxic for dogs if consumed in large quantities.

Even small amounts of onion or garlic can cause oxidative damage to your dog’s red blood cells leading to anemia.

Salt and butter added to turkey can also cause gastrointestinal issues in dogs including vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.

So avoid feeding your dog any turkey with added seasonings, marinades, gravy, or other non-plain preparations.

Is Deli Turkey Bad For Dogs?

Sliced turkey from the deli counter, turkey hot dogs, smoked turkey, and any other processed turkey contain very high amounts of sodium. Too much sodium can cause excessive thirst and urination, gastrointestinal upset, and even sodium ion poisoning in dogs.

Deli meats also commonly contain preservatives like nitrites and nitrates which are converted into toxic compounds in your dog’s digestive system.

Even in very small amounts, processed turkey can be bad for your dog’s health and should be avoided.

Can Dogs Eat Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey?

With all those considerations around what types of turkey can be bad for dogs, your leftover holiday turkey is probably off limits to sharing with your pup.

Leftover turkey likely has skin, bones, seasoning, gravy, etc that could cause problems. Not to mention all the other dangerous human foods like onions and garlic that are part of Thanksgiving dinner.

If you really want to share a taste of turkey with your dog, best to stick to a small portion of plain white meat with zero bones, skin, fat or seasoning. But your safest bet is to avoid feeding turkey scraps after Thanksgiving dinner.

Signs Your Dog May Have Eaten Unsafe Turkey

If you suspect your dog snuck some turkey bones, skin or other unsafe turkey parts, watch for these signs of trouble:

• Excessive thirst or urination
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation or straining to defecate
• Bloody stool
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain or distension

Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms after your dog ate turkey. Timely treatment can help prevent serious complications.

Can Puppies Eat Turkey?

Puppies under 1 year have developing digestive systems. Too much fat, seasoning or sodium can cause upset. Their small size also makes them more prone to blockages and injuries if they swallow bones or bone fragments.

It’s best to avoid turkey altogether for puppies and feed them puppy-formulated diets made for their nutritional needs. Once your puppy is older, you can introduce small bits of plain cooked turkey meat occasionally as a treat.

Healthier Ways To Feed Turkey To Your Dog

If you want your dog to enjoy the flavor of turkey without the risks, try these safer options:

• Turkey dog food or treats: Commercial dog food and treats made with turkey offer the flavor dogs love while also being balanced and safe.

• Plain cooked turkey meat: Unseasoned, skinless, boneless turkey meat is okay for dogs in moderation. Keep portions small.

• Ground turkey: Add a spoonful of bland ground turkey to your dog’s regular food for extra protein.

• Freeze plain turkey broth: Freeze turkey broth in an ice cube tray for a tasty snack dogs can lick safely.

• Hide pills in turkey: Use a shred of plain turkey to conceal medications in a “pill pocket” for easy dosing.

Monitor your dog for any signs of an upset stomach when introducing new foods. But overall turkey can be part of a healthy diet for dogs when fed properly!

Key Takeaways on Turkey and Dogs

To recap, here are some key points to remember:

• Plain, unseasoned, boneless, skinless cooked turkey meat is okay for dogs in small amounts.

• Avoid feeding dogs any turkey bones, skin, or fat due to choking hazards and pancreatitis risks.

• Seasoned turkey, deli meats, and other processed turkey products should not be fed to dogs.

• Introduce new foods like turkey slowly and monitor for any digestive upsets.

• Puppy stomachs are too sensitive for turkey – wait until your dog is older before feeding.

• Look for alternatives like turkey dog food or turkey broth ice cubes to give your dog turkey flavor safely.

So be mindful about preparation when considering treating your dog to turkey. While not all turkey is necessarily bad for dogs, there are some important safety precautions to take. Use common sense and your dog can enjoy a bit of this festive fowl!