You dont have to choose between your pet and your wallet when it comes to expensive vet visits. Prepare ahead of time for unexpected vet bills by finding the pawfect pet insurance.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you may already be starting to think about the menu, the center of which will likely be a roast turkey. The crispy skin and juicy meat can be the highlight of any holiday meal, and Thanksgiving tops the list! But what about the felines in the family? They’ll no doubt be drawn to the dinner table by the aromas, especially the meaty centerpiece.
Is it safe for cats to eat turkey? The answer is Yes! While there are a few cautions to consider, sharing some of the bird with your purr baby will be delicious for them and fun for you.
Cats are obligate carnivores, so virtually any meat is good for them, and cat food manufacturers often include turkey in their formulas as part of the protein component. When shared as a treat, turkey can be a low-fat, low-calorie alternative to commercial treats. On top of that, it has significant health benefits for your kitty.
Turkey is a lean, protein-rich meat that can be a healthy treat for cats in moderation. As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on a meat-based diet, making turkey an appealing choice. However, there are some important things to consider before feeding turkey to your feline companion.
An Overview of Turkey for Cats
Cats are meant to eat meat. In the wild, feral cats consume small prey animals like mice, birds, rabbits, and insects. This gives them the protein and nutrients they need to be healthy. Domesticated cats no longer hunt for food, so we have to provide it for them. Commercial cat foods are formulated to mimic felines’ natural carnivorous diet.
Turkey can be part of a balanced homemade diet or offered as an occasional nibble. Turkey breast is a popular choice since it’s lower in fat than dark meat. It’s an excellent source of lean protein, B vitamins, selenium, and phosphorus. The tryptophan in turkey may make some humans sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner, but a few pieces of turkey won’t have this effect on cats.
Benefits of Turkey for Cats
There are several benefits of incorporating turkey into your cat’s diet in moderation
-
Lean protein: Turkey is an outstanding source of high-quality, lean protein. Protein supports muscle growth and maintenance in cats.
-
Lower fat Turkey breast is lower in fat and calories compared to dark meat This makes it less likely to cause tummy upset.
-
Vitamins and minerals: Turkey contains lots of B vitamins, as well as selenium, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. These support a healthy immune system and metabolism.
-
** appetizing flavor:** Many cats love the taste of poultry. The flavor entices picky eaters to eat.
As long as it’s cooked properly and fed in small amounts, turkey can be a nutritious feline snack.
How Much Turkey Can Cats Eat?
Turkey shouldn’t make up the bulk of your cat’s diet. At most, treats like turkey should total no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. A serving size of about 1 inch cubed is sufficient. Too much can lead to weight gain or upset stomach.
Kittens, seniors, and cats with medical conditions may need to limit turkey even further to prevent diarrhea or vomiting. For example, cats with kidney disease should avoid high-protein treats. Check with your vet for personalized feeding guidelines.
Can Cats Eat Raw Turkey?
No, raw turkey may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella. Always cook turkey completely to kill any dangerous pathogens before feeding it to cats.
Keep in mind that you’ll also want to avoid cross-contamination by washing hands, counters, and utensils after handling raw turkey. Store it away from other foods in the fridge.
Should You Give Your Cat Turkey Bones or Skin?
Do not feed cats turkey skin, cooked bones, or raw bones. Turkey skin is very high in fat, which can lead to pancreatitis. Bones can splinter and get caught in the throat or puncture the digestive tract.
Make sure turkey fed to cats has been skinned and deboned. Also trim off any visible fat before cooking. Plain roasted, baked, or boiled turkey breast is ideal.
Tips for Feeding Turkey Safely
Follow these tips for safely sharing turkey with cats:
-
Choose plain, cooked, boneless, skinless turkey breast. Avoid pre-seasoned deli meats.
-
Stick to a serving size of 1 inch cubed or less. Too much can cause diarrhea.
-
Introduce new foods slowly. Mix just a small amount with your cat’s regular food at first.
-
Refrigerate promptly. Toss any uneaten turkey after 2 hours. Bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature.
-
Make sure your cat is always supervised when enjoying turkey treats so they don’t get into trouble chewing bones.
Are There Any Concerns With Feeding Turkey?
Provided you take precautions, turkey is usually well-tolerated by cats. However, there are a couple things to keep in mind:
-
Allergies: While uncommon, some cats may have allergies to turkey. Look for signs like itching, ear infections, and skin irritation.
-
Lack of nutrients: Turkey alone doesn’t provide complete nutrition. It should only be fed occasionally as a supplement to a nutritionally balanced cat food.
Talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about incorporating turkey into your cat’s homemade diet. They can help you formulate recipes to ensure your cat’s needs are met.
The Bottom Line
Turkey can be a healthy, tasty treat for cats in moderation. Choose unseasoned, cooked turkey and be sure to remove all bones and skin first. Limit treats to about a 1 inch cube per day. While delicious, turkey shouldn’t become a dietary staple since cats require balanced nutrition. Follow basic food safety guidelines and supervise snack time to keep your cat safe. With these simple precautions, you can feel good about sharing a bit of your own holiday feast with your feline companion.
Health benefits of turkey for cats
Turkey contains many nutrients that support a cat’s health. Let’s look at what these beneficial nutrients include and how they can help your kitty stay happy and healthy throughout their life.
Protein is well known as a nutrient that not only builds and maintains muscle and other tissues, but protein rich foods also keep cats satiated for longer periods of time and reduce between-meal hunger. It can be an important aid in reducing high-calorie, fatty treats in an effort to lose pounds or maintain an ideal weight.
Turkey’s low fat, sodium, and sugar-free content reduce the incidence of diabetes and heart disease. Also contributing to this low risk is turkey’s largely non-existent carbohydrate content and minimal cholesterol found in white meat.
Given in moderate amounts as treats, turkey also can replace higher calorie treats that can lead to obesity, another important risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. In addition, turkey is rich in taurine, an amino acid that cats can’t manufacture in their bodies, and which can prevent cardiomyopathy if enough is consumed.
A 20-gram serving of turkey boiled, roasted without seasoning, or broiled without fat contains the following nutrients:
- Protein: 6 grams
- Calcium: 3 mg (milligrams)
- Iron: 0.16 mg
- Magnesium: 8 mg
- Phosphorus: 59 mg
- Potassium: 62 mg
- Sodium: 117 mg
- Selenium (Vit E): 7.5 ug
- Vitamins B3, B6, B12 (various)
- Taurine (in organs and dark meat)
Can cats be allergic to turkey meat? How will I know if my cat is allergic?
Turkey is one of the more commonly occurring allergens for cats. Signs are generally mild. A more serious, or anaphylactic reaction, would be incredibly rare. To be safe, start with a very small sample, and if the cat doesn’t have a reaction, you can increase the amount for subsequent treats.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to turkey in a cat can include:
- Itchy, irritated skin
- Hair loss from licking and biting the skin
- Wheezing
- Swelling of the throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Eye discharge
- Swollen mouth or tongue
If your cat shows any of these signs after eating turkey, it’s crucial to get them to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. The vet may administer medication and other treatments that will relieve the severest symptoms, and will undoubtedly recommend that turkey should be avoided in the future.
Can Cats Eat Turkey? (2019)
FAQ
Is it okay for cats to eat turkey?
Which is better for cats, chicken or turkey?
Is turkey inflammatory for cats?
Are cats sensitive to turkey?