Turkey necks have become a popular treat and addition to raw food diets for dogs But is turkey neck actually good for dogs? This complete guide will examine the potential benefits and risks to help you decide
An Overview of Turkey Necks for Dogs
Turkey necks are the neck of a turkey including the vertebrae, cartilage, muscle meat, and connective tissue. They can be fed raw or dehydrated as a treat or addition to a raw diet
Turkey necks provide a source of minerals like calcium and phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, and protein. The act of chewing may also help clean teeth and provide mental enrichment.
However, there are also potential risks like choking, intestinal obstruction, bacterial contamination with salmonella or E.coli, and the high fat and calorie content. Appropriate preparation and precautions are necessary when feeding turkey necks.
The Benefits of Turkey Necks for Dogs
A Natural Source of Key Nutrients
Turkey necks provide a wholefood source of important nutrients dogs need. This includes:
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High-Quality Protein: Turkey necks contain around 20% protein when fresh and up to 70% in dehydrated products. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles, organs, enzymes, hormones, and more.
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Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Naturally found in cartilage and connective tissue, these compounds support joint health and may help reduce arthritis symptoms.
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Calcium and Phosphorus: Vital minerals for healthy teeth and bones. The calcium to phosphorus ratio in turkey necks helps balance these minerals.
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Iron, Zinc, Selenium: Turkey necks provide a natural source of these essential trace minerals that support immune health, metabolism, DNA production, and more.
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B Vitamins: Especially high levels of vitamin B12 support red blood cell and protein production.
May Help Clean Teeth
The abrasive action of chewing on turkey necks may help remove plaque and tartar from teeth. This provides a natural way to care for dental health versus commercial dental treats or dental cleanings.
However, these dental benefits depend on the dog properly chewing the turkey neck. Dogs that gulp treats down will gain less dental benefit.
Provides Mental Enrichment
Chewing satisfies a natural instinct in dogs and provides mental stimulation. Having an appropriate chew outlet may reduce destructive chewing behaviors. The turkey neck will keep your dog happily occupied for 20-30 minutes.
The mental workout provided by chewing and gnawing may also help relieve stress and anxiety in some dogs.
Potential Risks of Turkey Necks for Dogs
While turkey necks can provide benefits, there are also several potential risks to consider:
Choking Hazard
The pieces of bone present a choking risk, especially for aggressive chewers. Supervise your dog when feeding any chews or treats like turkey necks.
Turkey necks may be better suited to medium, large, or giant breed dogs. Smaller chicken necks can be fed to small dogs.
Can Cause Blockages or Obstructions
Large chunks of turkey neck bones may cause a blockage or obstruction in the esophagus, stomach or intestines if swallowed. These require emergency veterinary treatment.
Contaminated with Bacteria
Both raw and dehydrated turkey necks can be contaminated with salmonella and E. coli bacteria. This causes a risk of food poisoning and transmission of bacteria through contact with dogs. Proper food handling and hygiene is essential.
High in Fat and Calories
Turkey necks are high in fat and calories, estimated around 130 calories for a dehydrated neck. Too many can quickly lead to weight gain in dogs. They should be fed occasionally, not daily.
Safely Feeding Turkey Necks to Dogs
If you choose to add turkey necks to your dog’s diet, follow these tips to reduce risks:
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Have your vet check your dog’s teeth and oral health before relying on any chews for dental benefits.
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Always supervise dogs when feeding turkey necks or any chews.
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Avoid turkey necks if your dog is an aggressive or voracious chewer. Opt for safer chews instead.
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Feed larger turkey necks to medium, large, or giant breed dogs. Smaller dogs can have chicken necks.
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Feed dehydrated or raw turkey necks. Never feed cooked bones which splinter.
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Limit turkey necks to one or two times weekly to prevent obesity.
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Practice safe food handling. Wash hands and disinfect surfaces after contact with raw turkey necks. Monitor your dog’s stool.
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Do not season or enhance turkey necks. Feed plain necks only.
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Avoid turkey necks for puppies as they have specific nutritional needs. Also avoid for dogs with kidney disease, pancreatitis, or other conditions unless approved by your vet.
Answering Common Questions on Turkey Necks
Are turkey necks good for dogs?
Turkey necks can provide nutritional benefits but also carry risks. With proper precautions and fed in moderation, turkey necks can be a healthy treat for most dogs. Consult your vet if unsure.
Can turkey necks be dangerous?
Yes, turkey necks do pose some risks of choking, blockage, bacterial contamination, and high fat content. Supervision, proper handling, and moderation can reduce these dangers.
How often can I feed turkey necks?
Limit turkey necks to one or two times per week due to their high calorie content. This prevents obesity but still allows dogs to gain benefits.
Can I give my dog a raw turkey neck?
Yes, raw turkey necks are fine for dogs. In fact, raw bones are safer as cooking causes bones to become brittle and prone to splintering.
Are turkey necks high in fat?
Turkey necks contain around 11-15% fat. While fine in moderation, too many turkey necks can quickly lead to weight gain in dogs.
Can turkey necks cause constipation?
The bone content can cause constipation or difficulty passing stools in some dogs. Make sure your dog is drinking enough water and monitor their bathroom habits.
Conclusion
Turkey necks can provide nutritional benefits as part of a balanced raw or homecooked diet. Their natural source of protein, minerals, glucosamine, chondroitin, and other nutrients offers advantages over processed treats or chews.
However, turkey necks do come with risks like choking, blockages, and bacterial contamination. By following proper handling and feeding guidelines, these risks can be reduced. Turkey necks should be fed in moderation to dogs that can properly chew them.
Talk to your veterinarian, especially if your dog has any health conditions. But for most healthy adult dogs, turkey necks can be a beneficial addition when fed responsibly. through appropriate preparation, precautions, and supervision, turkey necks can provide a valuable nutritional boost and enrichment.
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