Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Before you invite them to the Thanksgiving table, here’s what you should know.
It’s time to celebrate Thanksgiving — which for many people means it’s time to chow down on some turkey. If you’re a dog parent, it’s pretty much impossible to do so without facing down some seriously adorable puppy eyes. But before you give into all that begging, you have to get to the bottom of whether or not turkey is safe to feed dogs.
The short answer? Plain turkey is generally safe, but the meal you’re eating is likely loaded up with dangerous spices and toppings. We talked to veterinarian Dr. Amy Fox about exactly when it’s safe to feed our pups a bite of our Thanksgiving feast.
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Nutrition facts of turkey for dogs
Is turkey good for dogs?
Turkey is rich in nutrients, including as riboflavin and phosphorus. Because of its high protein content, you may have noticed that turkey is actually a common kibble ingredient — but the turkey found in dry dog food isn’t the same as the turkey on our dining tables. Most likely, your Thanksgiving turkey includes seasoning, salt, and fats that pups should stay away from. That being said, your dog still might be able to partake in turkey day — under the right circumstances.
“Plain, white-meat turkey can be OK in small bite-sized amounts,” Dr. Fox tells Kinship. “But pet parents should avoid sharing anything fatty, such as the skin or dark meat, and anything with sauce or seasoning on it.”
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Can dogs have turkey bones?
The answer to this is a hard no. Save the wishbone for your human guests; dogs should never, under any circumstances, have access to turkey bones.
“Smaller, hollow bones, like turkey bones, can splinter and break, especially once cooked, causing injuries as dogs try to chew and swallow them,” Dr. Fox adds. “They can also cause intestinal blockages and bone impactions further down in the digestive tract.”
Can dogs have white-meat turkey?
Dogs can have a few bite-sized pieces of plain white-meat turkey, as long as there is no sauce or seasoning.
Can dogs have dark-meat turkey?
While not toxic to dogs, it’s best to avoid dark-meat turkey, given its high fat content. This high-fat content can put your dogs at risk for digestive upset or pancreatitis.
Is turkey completely safe for dogs?
Both white- and dark-meat turkey is non-toxic to dogs. However, pet parents should proceed with caution when it comes to feeding pups turkey. If you do choose to let your dog eat a few bites of white-meat turkey, be sure they are small and served without sauces or seasoning.
And, as with giving your dog any people food, moderation is key. “Some of the common emergencies pets encounter around the holidays include digestive upset from over-indulging in foods they are not accustomed to,” Dr. Fox says. “In more serious cases, this can also cause pancreatitis, often from eating fatty or spicy foods.”
Other commonly served Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs
Carrots
Plain carrots are a healthy and nutritious choice. Because most carrots are served salted and seasoned, slip your dog a plain one during Thanksgiving prep. For more info on safely sharing carrots with your dog, check out our guide on whether you can feed dogs carrots here.
Cooked sweet potato
Sweet potato is considered a “superfood” for both humans and dogs thanks to its digestive properties. But dogs should definitely enjoy this superfood as plainly as possible and in moderation. Similar to the carrots, if you plan to season your sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving, consider setting a plain one off to the side for your dog when cooking. For more info on safely sharing this snack with your pup, read this about feeding your dog sweet potatoes.
Apple
Once the seeds and core are removed, apples are a sweet and safe treat for dogs. Not to sound like a broken record, but moderation is key with this snack, too.
Avoid sharing apple pie with your dog. While cooked apples aren’t toxic to pups, the sugar and fat in apple pie is likely to upset their stomach. For more info on safely sharing apples with your dog, check out our guide.
Other commonly served Thanksgiving foods that are not safe for dogs
Garlic and onions
Garlic and onions are probably used throughout your Thanksgiving meal recipes. They taste delicious... but they’re highly toxic to your dog. Avoid giving your dog any foods seasoned or cooked with garlic and onions. Read this for or more info on the toxicity of garlic and onions for dogs.
Grapes and raisins
Sometimes used in stuffing, raisins pose a major risk to dogs. Even small traces of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Besides stuffing, avoid serving raisins and grapes in dishes that dogs can easily reach. Do not offer dogs foods that were cooked with raisins or grapes, even if the raisins and grapes have been removed. Here’s more on why raisins and grapes are so toxic to pups.
Pecans and walnuts
Common pie fillings, such as walnuts and pecans, are both very toxic to dogs. Both nuts contain juglone, which can cause vomiting and GI distress. One or two dropped nuts are not likely to harm your dog, though you should monitor your pup after any amount of consumption. If your dog gets into a bag of nuts or a pie, however, make sure to get them veterinary attention as soon as possible.
High fat content foods
Thanksgiving is a time when humans indulge in some delicious and rich dishes, but that doesn’t mean your dog should. Fatty foods, such as buttery veggies or dark-meat turkey, can cause GI upset or even pancreatitis in your pup. Always make sure even “non-toxic” human foods are served plain without butter, seasoning, or tons of salt.
Bottom line: Can dogs eat human food?
Most of the time, human food is best reserved for, well, humans — especially foods prepared with spices and sauces, such as those commonly found on the Thanksgiving table. But some human foods, like plain, white-meat turkey, are perfectly safe for your dog in moderation. That being said, if your dog has stomach sensitivities or dietary restrictions, it is better to be safe than sorry and avoid human food altogether.
In the grand scheme of things, human food should never make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet and is best reserved for a special occasion. Even on special occasions, such as Thanksgiving, it’s best to start off with a small amount and monitor your dog’s reaction to any new or special food.
