Can Dogs Eat Turkey? Is Turkey Safe for Dogs?

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Can dogs eat turkey? You might be asking this if you want to share a bit of your Thanksgiving feast with your pup, or maybe you want to give them a bite of your turkey sandwich. Humans eat turkey, so is it safe for dogs?

The short answer is: Yes. Dogs can eat turkey, but this comes with a few caveats. Plain boneless white meat turkey is usually a safe treat for puppies, but there are plenty of exceptions. And as always, you should ask your vet before sharing human food with your dog, including turkey.

Even foods that are healthy for dogs should be given in moderation and should not interfere with their normal diet. Here are a few things you should know about feeding your dog turkey.

Is Turkey Good for Dogs?

General, turkey is actually a very common ingredient multi-brand dog food, so feeding your dog in moderation is usually fine as long as you get your vet’s advice first. Make sure it’s pure, white, boneless meat.

Turkey is even common in delicacies. My dog Loves the raw, freeze-dried turkey bites I get at a local pet store—probably a little too much. However, they are perfect for him and bite-sized for almost any dog.

Turkey can also be an alternative source of protein for dogs that are allergic to other meats, such as beef or chicken. If your dog has any food allergies, talk to your vet. They may recommend adding turkey to your dog’s diet instead.

When is Turkey Bad for Dogs?

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Dogs can usually eat turkey unless they have medical conditions like allergies, and you should remove all bones from the meat beforehand.

Bones from birds such as turkey, chicken and duck are fragile and splinter easily, especially when cooked. Feeding these to your dog can cause serious problems as they are known to splinter in the throat or digestive tract which can lead to severe pain and bleeding for your dog.

You should also not feed your dog spiced turkey, as many types of spices can be toxic or harmful to dogs. So unless you are one of them That For people who don’t believe in seasoning meats before or during cooking, it’s probably best not to feed your dog Thanksgiving turkey.

There is also the matter of the contents of the stuffing you put in your bird during cooking. Onions can be toxic to dogs, and many herbs and oils can cause various digestive problems as well.

Also make sure that you prepare the turkey yourself and that it is fresh. Turkey with preservatives, like most lunch meat turkeys, can contain chemicals that are difficult for dogs to digest. It is best to avoid these.

How should you feed your dog turkey?

If you’re going to give your dog turkey, make sure you don’t give him the skin, as it has a lot of the seasoning in it. The fat can also cause pancreatitis.

It should also go without saying, but if your turkey is baked, don’t give it to your dog. Fried food isn’t even good for us, so feeding it to your dog will only give you a double dose of your troubles.

It is best to opt for the lean meat of the turkey for your dog, or the ‘white meat’. Avoiding the legs is also important, as this area is especially oily for the bird.

Do you ever feed your dog turkey? What other human foods do you share with your pup? Let us know in the comments below!

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