Have you ever noticed your pet dog eyeing your Thanksgiving turkey? Dogs are often curious about what their humans are eating, and when it smells as good as a Thanksgiving turkey can we really blame them? But if you’re thinking of sharing turkey with your pet, you should keep a few things in mind. This article will explain the good and the bad that can come with feeding your dog turkey, and answer the overarching question, “Can Dogs Eat Turkey?”
Is Turkey Good for Dogs?
Turkey is a lean meat that can add healthy animal proteins to your pet’s diet1. It’s commonly used as a main ingredient in dog food but can also make a great dog treat2. Turkey meat also contains a variety of nutrients including1:
Vitamin B6 and B12
Niacin
Protein
Zinc
Selenium
Sodium
Phosphorus
Choline
Magnesium
Potassium
Are There Any Risks to Feeding my Dog Turkey?
Introducing a new food into your pet’s diet always comes with a few risks. Dogs can have food allergies, so make sure to only introduce new foods when you are home and able to watch for any signs of a reaction. Allowing your pet to eat turkey specifically comes with a few additional risks:
Fat and Skin: The skin of a turkey is high in fat, and is generally drenched in additional fats in the form of butter or oil in preparation for the Thanksgiving meal. Eating such high amounts of fat can lead to pancreatitis in serious cases, or at the very least can upset your pet's stomach and cause indigestion4.
Bones: Cooked turkey bones can be brittle and are a choking hazard; if swallowed they can cause serious internal injuries including damage to the throat, intestinal tract, stomach or intestines, constipation, bleeding from the rectum, or blockages4.
Seasonings: Different herbs and seasonings can cause digestive issues or be toxic to dogs. While eating trace amounts of any of these is unlikely to harm your dog, intentionally feeding your pet these ingredients can be harmful and is discouraged. Dogs should only be allowed to taste unseasoned, white turkey meat that is completely cooked through.
Which Seasonings are Toxic or Harmful to Give to my Dog?
Garlic, onions, and scallions are each toxic to dogs. When ingested they cause damage to a dog’s red blood cells, leadings to hemolytic anemia3. Other ingredients cause digestive upset, examples include:
Bay leaf
Black pepper
Cayenne
Mustard
Paprika
Pumpkin Pie Spice
These spices can cause varying degrees of digestive upset in dogs3.
How Much Turkey is Too Much?
According to the American Kennel Club, treats, including additions like turkey meat, should not make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake2. If your pet eats too much turkey or eats something off the Thanksgiving spread and has a negative reaction make sure to contact your vet. 24/7 telehealth services can be used to speak or chat with a veterinary professional at any time, and are offered by most pet insurance companies for these kinds of situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat undercooked turkey? Feeding a dog raw or undercooked poultry is not recommended because it can cause salmonella poisoning1.
Is lean ground turkey food for dogs? Turkey is lean meat, that is easily digestible and packed with protein. It’s also a great option for pets allergic to other proteins1.
What meat should dogs not eat? Fatty meats like bacon or hot dogs aren’t great options to add to dogs’ diets because they bring a risk for pancreatitis or digestive upset5.
Conclusion
Giving your dog a small amount of turkey is a great way to include them in Thanksgiving festivities. Just make sure that any turkey intended for your dog is fully cooked, skinless, boneless, and unseasoned. For more exciting ways to spice up your dog’s treats, read our article on DIY dog treats.
Arnold, Victoria Lynn . “Can Dogs Eat Turkey?” Www.petmd.com, 23 Sept. 2024, www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-turkey.
Aug 30, Anna Burke, et al. “How Many Treats to Give a Dog a Day.” American Kennel Club, 7 Feb. 2023, www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-many-treats-can-dog-have/.
Barrington, Kate. “What Spices Can Dogs Have?” The Dog People by Rover.com, 31 Aug. 2017, www.rover.com/blog/5-safe-5-dangerous-spices-dogs/.
Burke, Anna. “Can Dogs Eat Turkey?” American Kennel Club, 28 Oct. 2022, www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-turkey/.
DogTime. “10 Foods That Are Bad for Dogs.” DogTime, 14 July 2023, dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-food-dog-nutrition/5504-bad-foods-for-dogs-list.
