With the holidays fast approaching, more and more pet owners once again find themselves asking the same question that comes around every year: can dogs eat turkey? If you’re thinking of feeding your dog turkey but you’re wondering if it’s safe to do so, you’re in the right place!

In the article below, we’ll explore some of the most important information you need to know about feeding your dog turkey. You can use this information to figure out when it might be appropriate to give your canine friend a little bit of turkey during the holidays. Read on to find out more.

Is Turkey Safe for Dogs?

To help answer the question on whether or not it’s safe to feed your dog turkey, there are some key things you need to know about this food and how it may impact your dog’s health. When in doubt, call your vet or an emergency vet to find out the best solution, as they’ll be able to guide you in the best direction for your pet.

Is Turkey Toxic to Pets?

No, turkey is not toxic at all to dogs (or cats!). But there are some caveats to ensuring your dog's safety that you should read about below. Overall, most dogs enjoy a diet of kibble, wet food, or both that contains turkey as one of the leading ingredients. In fact, turkey contains a wide variety of healthy nutrients for dogs, such as phosphorus, and it is a good source of protein for your pet as well. And as an added bonus, most dogs love the taste of turkey and are more than happy to eat it!

You should always watch how much turkey your dog eats, as too much can be harmful to his digestive system. Overdoing it with turkey can lead to serious results, including pancreatitis, which is dangerous and potentially deadly without the right treatment.

Start with just a few bites of turkey so you can determine how much your pet can eat without stomach upset.

All VEG emergency animal hospitals are open 24 hours on Thanksgiving. No appointment needed. Come in and your pet will receive immediate vet attention.

Can Dogs Eat Ground Turkey?

 Yes, dogs can eat ground turkey, but it's important to keep in mind a few things:

Nutritional value of ground turkey

How healthy the food is for your dog changes depending on the percentage of fat in ground turkey. The leaner the ground turkey, the better it is for your dog. For example, lean turkey can have approx. 2.5g of saturated fat, while extra lean turkey can be as little as 1g of saturated fat. You want to only feed your dog lean or better yet, extra lean ground turkey. Avoid 85% ground turkey, as it can have approx. 6 grams of saturated fat.

Just like roasted turkey, ground turkey has good nutritional value, like high-quality protein, phosphorous (for bone health), zinc (offers immune support), and selenium (aids in metabolism regulation).

Cook ground turkey thoroughly

Ground turkey must be cooked all the way through. Please check food industry sources for safe internal temperatures. Undercooked turkey can result in food poisoning.

Be sure to cool the turkey before feeding it to your dog to avoid burns.

Ground turkey sausage is not recommended

Turkey sausage, turkey bacon, and other processed turkey products usually contain a higher level of fat, high levels of sodium, and spices that may be toxic to dogs. Best to stick to extra-lean ground turkey or plain roast turkey for your dog.

Which Turkey Dinner Sides are Safe for Dogs?

There are some ingredients that can be used with turkey that are harmful for your dog and others that pose no harm to their health. We break down the different ingredients that are harmful and the ones that are safe for your pet below.

Harmful ingredients to dogs

The biggest danger in feeding your dog turkey lies in the other ingredients that are cooked with the turkey. Spices, seasonings, and some vegetables that may seem perfectly fine for you to eat on your turkey may be dangerous to your pet, and it’s important to avoid these when feeding your dog.

Garlic and onions are toxic to dogs

Some of the most dangerous ingredients often included with turkey are onions and garlic. These ingredients can not only cause severe stomach upset in dogs, but they can even damage your dog’s red blood cells when eaten in high quantities.

Salt poses a risk to dogs

Another important ingredient to pay attention to in your dog’s turkey is salt. Dogs do not need nearly as much sodium in their diets as humans do, and they cannot handle much sodium, either. Because of this, you should prepare turkey for your dog that has not been seasoned with any salt, or any other spices for that matter. Plain turkey is the best plan for your pet.

Safe ingredients for dogs

Some ingredients often cooked with turkey that are safe for your dog to eat in small quantities include celery, apples, and carrots. Feeding your dog turkey with these ingredients is not only safe but also provides a good source of nutrients.

Below are charts to help keep your dog eating well throughout Thanksgiving and anytime turkey is on your menu.

Some holiday foods are very healthy for dogs. Check out which ones in the chart above. If your dog needs emergency care during the holidays, VEG is open 24 hours on Thanksgiving and every day.

There are certain foods that can be harmful or pose a choking risk to dogs. See the chart above to see which Thanksgiving foods dogs should not eat.

Safe Ways to Feed Turkey to Dogs

Now that we’ve established that dogs can eat turkey in the right conditions, it’s a good idea to figure out the best, safest method of preparing and serving turkey for your dog.

Here are the things you need to do in order to make it safe for your dog to eat turkey:

Make sure the turkey wasn’t cooked with any spices or other ingredients

Ideally, you should prepare turkey for your dog that contains no seasonings or spices whatsoever and has not been cooked along with any other ingredients. Absolutely always avoid onions and garlic, but be cautious with other add-ons as well.

Make sure the turkey pieces are bite-sized

Break the turkey up into small enough pieces for your dog’s size, and do not overfeed your pet.

Do not give your dog turkey bones or skin

Remember to double-check the turkey you give your dog to ensure it does not contain any bones. Even large dogs who seem like they would be able to chew up turkey bones should never be fed this part of the turkey, as bones can not only present a choking hazard for your pet, but can also become obstructed in your pet’s intestines.

Remove the skin from the turkey before giving it to your dog, too. The skin is fatty and is much more harmful for your dog than the rest of the turkey, so it’s best to just avoid it.

Talk to your vet for more information

Be sure to talk with your vet for more information about feeding your dog turkey. If your dog has any food allergies or sensitivities, make sure to speak with your veterinarian before introducing any new ingredients into your dog’s diet.

CALL OUR EMERGENCY VET OPEN 24 HOURS, EVEN ON HOLIDAYS

It is usually safe to give your dog turkey, as long as you’re mindful of the other ingredients present and you don’t overdo it. Of course, if you have any worries at all about your pet’s health and wellness, you should avoid feeding him table scraps, as “people food” can sometimes exacerbate other health problems.

If you notice that your dog has eaten turkey and you’re not sure if that’s okay, call our veterinary team at VEG. All of our vet emergency locations are open 24 hours on holidays, so you never have to wait to find out what the next best steps are for your dog.