Can Dogs Eat Turkey

With the holidays fast approaching, many pet owners find themselves asking the same question that comes around every year “Can Dogs Eat Turkey?”. Turkey is a versatile meat that we use everyday as a meal. Turkey is most famous for its role in Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners around the world. 

Turkey is also a common ingredient in dog treats and food. Skinless, boneless, unseasoned and white Turkey is properly cooked meat that is actually good for the dogs. Don’t feed it in a large quantity, because only a small amount of Turkey is fine for your dog. If you are thinking of feeding your dog Turkey but you are wondering, if the Turkey is safe for your pet. Today in this article, we will give you complete details about this question “Can Dogs Eat Turkey?”

Nutritional Benefits Of Turkey For Dogs

Turkey is a nutritious food containing a lot of protein and many vitamins and minerals which are essential to support body growth and maintain health for your dog. Now, put an eye at the nutritional benefits of Turkey and see how it is beneficial for dogs. 

Two slices of Turkey contain;

• Protein : 24 grams
• Calories : 117
• Carb : 0 gram
• Fats : 2 gram

Turkey is an important source of vitamin B (niacin, pyridoxine, B12). Vitamin B is very important for brain function and cell health. Turkey is also a good source of phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine, selenium and zinc. These are essential for a healthy immune system and to support a healthy body.  

Can Dogs Eat Turkey

If Turkey is prepared correctly and is part of a nutritionally balanced diet, then it’s good for dogs. It is a good source of lean proteins, vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients. The essential nutrients that are found in Turkey are given below;

• Niacin
• Iron
• Riboflavin
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Vitamin B

These vitamins and minerals are very essential for your dog because these all help to support their body healthy and keep a happy life. White meat, turkey meat, turkey skin and turkey organs all have dietary values.

Are Turkey Bones Bad For Dogs?

There is no query that dogs love to chew and eat bone, doing this is actually harmful for your dog. Small poultry bones are a little dangerous for your dogs. Chewing bones can cause;

• Intestinal Blockage
• Injury To The Mouth And Throat
• Choking And Throat Obstruction
• Piercing Of The Stomach
• Rectal Bleeding
• Constipation

Some of these injuries may require emergency surgery for your dog. 

How To Feed Turkey To Your Dog

Turkey can be a good treat for your dog, and a good protein source if it is made in the home. How to avoid stomach upset:

Discard The Skin And Fat

Your dog’s taste bud may be happy in scraping up the crispy skin and rich fat, but it does not make its belly happy. The use of too much fat can cause belly aches, a serious health problem at worst. Make sure to discard the skin and fat in a place where your dog can’t sneak it. 

Remove All Bones

Feeding your dog poultry bones is not a good idea. Their small size makes them a choking hazard and they can get stuck in the digestive tract and cause blockage. They are also more fragile than beef bones, especially if they are cooked. Feeding your dog bones from home is not worth the risk. Buy those toys and things that are made for your dog’s consumption. 

Feed Your Dog Small Portion Of Turkey 

First of all, talk to the vet to make any change in your dog’s diet or before deciding to feed them turkey meat, especially if your dog has any health problems like diabetes. Slowly change your dog’s diet, it can prevent your dog from health issues like stomach upset. Giving them a small portion of Turkey meat, because a large portion of Turkey is not good for your dog. Feeding a large amount of Turkey may be harmful for your dog, especially when she is facing diabetic problem. 

Skip The Aromatics And Seasoning 

Turkey is not bad for dogs, but the things that are added to Turkey may be harmful for dogs. Because many seasonings contain a high amount of sodium that are harmful for your dog. There are many commonly used herbs that are not good for your dog such as onion, garlic, paprika and pepper.  

Use Cooked Turkey Meat

Adding a small amount of Turkey meat in your dog’s diet can be beneficial. Mixing some turkey into your dog’s kibble to get the full nutritional benefit, because large amounts of Turkey meat in your dog’s diet may be harmful. 

Once you start combining ingredients, it’s easy to lose sight of the nutrients profile. Contact your dog’s vet who will tell you about the well-balanced complete meal of your dog. 

Before giving your dog Turkey meat, make sure it is completely cooked and does not contain such ingredients that are harmful for your dog. Poultry is a breeding ground for bacteria like “salmonella and listeria”, that can make your dog seriously ill. Make sure which Turkey you give your dog is completely cooked to a safe temperature (165 Fahrenheit). 

Is Ground Turkey Good For Your Dog

Ground Turkey is good for your dog because it is readily available in different lean-to-fat ratios. You can buy Turkey from a grocery store that’s 99% lean, 93% lean or 85% lean, all of these have different nutritional benefits and can be eaten to achieve different health goals.  

For example ; If your dog’s gastrointestinal is upset then the veterinarian may recommend a homemade diet of boiled chicken and rice. You can also use 99% lean ground Turkey in place of the chicken. If your dog is healthy and needs a daily diet, then you can use 85% lean ground Turkey which offers plenty of proteins and amino acids and essential fatty acids.

Many veterinarians recommend ground Turkey for your dog’s diet because it does not have any  choking hazards like bones to consider.  

Health Benefits Of Turkey For Your Dog 

Turkey is safe and good for your dog. There are many benefits of Turkey that are given below;

• Digested easily
• Packed with protein  
• Contains important nutrients like phosphorus and riboflavin 
• Lower in fat than beef  
• Satisfies their craving for meat  

Lean protein sources like Turkey and chicken can be a great choice for your dog. Dogs who consume a high fat diet are more at risk of stomach upset. The phosphorus is helpful for bone and teeth health and riboflavin is good for the dog’s metabolism and digestive system.   

When To See A Vet

Your dog might eat a bit of fatty acid and be safe, but it’s better to avoid it. If your dog has eaten fatty acid of skin, it shows symptoms of stomach upset like vomiting, diarrhea, reduced drinking, reduced appetite and sore stomach. As a responsible owner, you need to monitor closely for any symptoms of stomach upset and contact your vet for better advice.  

If your dog eats any quantity of bones, check-up with your veterinarian is very important as soon as possible after the ingestion. Some dogs have been eating bones and have been lucky, but some dogs have become seriously unwell, in this case veterinarian check-up is very essential for your dog. 

Some types of dogs are sensitive and they become unwell after eating the processed meat, seasonings and fatty acids etc. These dogs have sensitive tummies and have many underlying health conditions such as diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, lethargy, bloody stools, appetite loss, bloated or distended abdomen, etc. If your dog has symptoms of such diseases, then immediate check-up is essential for your dog’s healthy and safe life.

CONCLUSION

Turkey is a healthy meal for your dog high in vitamins, protein and minerals. Small portion of Turkey is safe for your dog, don’t give them a large quantity. Avoid giving your dog Turkey bones, skin and processed Turkey products like seasonings, onion, garlic, paprika and pepper. Turkey has many nutritious benefits, because it contains protein 24 grams, calories 117, carbs 0 gram and fats 2 grams. 

Turkey has many health benefits like being digested easily, packed with proteins, lower in fat than beef, contains important nutrients like phosphorus and riboflavin etc. Phosphorus plays a great role in bones and teeth health. Riboflavin is good for the dog’s metabolism and digestive system. 

Some dogs have sensitive tummies and face many underlying health conditions like reduced drinking, appetite loss, vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, bloody stools, chronic pancreatitis, bloating and lethargy. As a responsible owner, you need to monitor your dog closely if you notice any symptoms of these diseases, then immediate contact with the vet for the healthy and safe life of your dog.  

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