Why dogs can have it
Turkey, especially the breast, is a lean meat that is high in protein and low in fat. It is used in dog foods, and cooked with nothing added it makes a good treat.
The trouble comes from preparation. A festive turkey is roasted with butter and seasoning, and the stuffing and gravy can contain onion, garlic or raisins, which are dangerous for dogs. Roasted skin is very fatty, and cooked poultry bones break into sharp splinters.
How to give it
- Choose lean breast meat and cook it without salt or seasoning.
- Remove the skin and take out every bone.
- Cut it into small pieces and let it cool.
- All treats together should make up only a small part of what a dog eats in a day.
What to watch out for
- Cooked turkey bones break into sharp splinters that can injure the mouth or the gut.
- Fatty roasted skin can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or inflammation of the pancreas.
- Stuffing and gravy can contain onion, garlic or raisins, which are dangerous for dogs.
- Smoked or salted turkey is high in salt.
- Raw turkey can carry salmonella and other bacteria.
Different parts
Not every part of this food is equally safe.
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Skin
Not safeRoasted skin is very fatty and may be seasoned, so it is better removed.
-
Bones
Not safeCooked turkey bones break into sharp splinters, so they must not be given to a dog.
-
Raw turkey
Not safeRaw turkey can carry salmonella, so give only thoroughly cooked meat.
What to give instead
- Chicken Yes, plain cooked chicken without bones, skin or seasoning makes a good treat for a dog, but do not give bones or raw meat. Safe
- Beef Yes, lean cooked beef without seasoning makes a good treat for a dog, but do not give fatty cuts, bones or raw meat. Safe
- Rice Yes, plain cooked rice is fine for dogs: it is easy to digest, as long as it has no salt, seasoning or sauce. Safe
Looking for a treat?
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