Can Dogs Eat Turkey?

Dogs have a knack for downing all kinds of meat, including turkey. If we are enjoying a mouthwatering turkey sandwich, we might notice our buddy drooling next to us waiting for a piece to drop or for us to share some with them. During the holidays, we might even be tempted to let them partake in the turkey dinner with the rest of the family. However, over time you could find yourself wondering, Is turkey safe for my dog to eat?

Can Dogs Eat Turkey?

The good news is dogs can eat turkey, but we recommend following certain advice, and if you are feeding outside of a complete and balanced diet, it should only ever be as a snack. For starters, the turkey should not have any bones in it since this could act as a choking hazard and could cause other health risks. The skin, fat, and drippings should be removed and there should be no seasonings, butter, oils, gravy, or other harmful ingredients on the turkey. This is because these increase the chances of your loved one getting pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. Not to mention that not all seasonings and foods are safe for dogs seeing that some can be toxic and make your pup ill if eaten in large amounts.

Other concerns could include too much fat content, especially in the skin, fat, and drippings, which can lead to obesity and other weight issues. Furthermore, if the pieces of turkey are too large, this could also act as a choking hazard just like bones. Finally, if the turkey is raw and not cooked, this could lead to serious health concerns since raw meat could carry harmful pathogens like Salmonella or E. coli. Therefore, it is best to only give your dog a few small, bite-sized turkey pieces that are plain and have been perfectly cooked and deboned with the skin and fat removed.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Turkey?

Yes, a dog’s digestive system can process cooked turkey just fine. Keep in mind that turkey is not meant to be a meal replacement, but a snack. If your pup eats too much turkey, then they will not be able to get a well-balanced meal, and this could lead to weight gain and other health concerns. Limit all treats, including turkey, to no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake. It is also a good idea to consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your buddy, especially if they already have a preexisting health issue, such as diabetes and other chronic digestive ailments. 

Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey?

No, dogs should not eat raw meat of any kind. As mentioned above, this is because most raw meat can carry dangerous pathogens and bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues as well as serious infections and the risk of spreading those bacteria to humans. Stick to the best practices of feeding your dog cooked, plain turkey meat with no skin or bones.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?

Bones can act as a choking hazard, especially if they get splintered in the dog’s mouth. Splintered bones can lead to mouth and tongue injuries, rectal bleeding from the sharp bone fragments, along with potential piercing of the stomach lining and intestinal tract. If they swallow the bone, it could create constipation and/or intestinal blockage that may require emergency surgery. It is best to stick to dog approved chew bones.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Skin?

Turkey skin tends to contain too much fat for dogs, especially if they are cooked in oils and butter. A high fat content can lead to pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. If the turkey skin has seasonings, herbs, onions, garlic, or other ingredients that may be toxic, this can be detrimental to your dog’s health and create serious risks if eaten in large amounts. Therefore, it is better to remove the skin to limit the chances of your dog getting seriously sick.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Hot Dogs, Turkey Bacon, and Turkey Deli Meat?

Long story short, it’s not ideal. The reason is because turkey deli meat, turkey bacon, turkey hot dogs, turkey sausage, smoked turkey, and other forms of processed turkey meat are usually packed with extra sodium and spices. These foods are also high in fat so if your dog sneaks some of this food, it may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and unwanted weight gain. These food items lack many of the nutritional requirements that your pup needs, so if you do decide to feed them these products, make sure it doesn’t go beyond 10 percent of their daily caloric intake.

Can Dogs Eat Dark Meat Turkey?

Dark meat tends to contain more iron and B vitamins; however, it is also much higher in fat and calorie content than white meat. In other words, the dark meat is more nutritionally dense, but the price for that is more calories. The white meat in turkey is a little higher in protein than dark meat. Therefore, if you are looking to feed your dog the leaner parts of the turkey, stick to the white meat. 

As with other parts of the turkey, excess intake may also lead to undesirable weight gain. These parts are also lacking in the essential nutrients your buddy needs. Any part of the turkey shouldn’t account for more than 10 percent of their daily caloric requirement and they should not be considered as a meal replacement of any kind. 

How Much Turkey Can Dogs Eat?

Turkey should only be given as a small treat or snack. When it comes to feeding your dog treats, you should give them no more than 10 percent of their daily caloric intake as mentioned above. Anything beyond this amount will start increasing their risk for weight gain and associated risks such as arthritis, among other health concerns.

How to Feed Your Dog Turkey

It is important to feed your dog turkey in a way that will not cause harm to them. This means checking the ingredients, removing potentially harmful items, breaking the pieces down into bite-sized parts, etc. It is also a good idea to consult with your vet first before feeding your buddy anything new, especially if they are already struggling with a serious health condition.

To break everything down, make sure you are following these best practices that we have mentioned above:

1. Keep the turkey bits plain and unseasoned. 
2. Ensure there are no other harmful ingredients on the turkey, such as garlic or chives.  
3. Remove any skin, fat, or drippings. 
4. Remove all the bones. 
5. Feed your dog small portions and bite-sized pieces as a snack food item. 
6. Limit turkey and other treats to no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake. 
7. Consult with your vet before introducing new foods.

Your buddy will thank you in the long run for feeding them turkey in the safest way possible.

If you suspect your dog has eaten or drunk something toxic, then contact your vet, the local animal hospital, or the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435 immediately for assistance.

For more expert tips on feeding your dog, explore our other What Can Dogs Eat articles.