Can Dogs Have Turkey?

October 26, 2023 Sienna Bast Read Time: 4 min

Yes! Dogs can eat turkey when it’s prepared safely and fed in suitable portions. Turkey can even be good for dogs: it’s an easy protein for dogs to digest and can be a great source of vitamin B2 and essential minerals like phosphorus. But some types of turkey can be bad for dogs, so keep reading to find out how to safely feed turkey meat to your pup.

What kind of turkey can dogs eat?

Unseasoned, skinless and boneless cooked turkey meat is fine for dogs in moderation. So if you want to give your dog some turkey, make sure it’s prepared specifically for them rather than sharing the same turkey you eat.

Dogs can safely eat fully cooked turkey that’s been boiled, roasted or sauteed in a non-stick skillet without oil. White turkey meat is better for dogs compared to dark meat because it’s higher in protein and lower in fat. Ground turkey meat is also fine, as long as it’s cooked plain with no added fat, salt, seasoning or additives.

What kind of turkey is bad for dogs?

Turkey prepared for human consumption usually has spices like garlic and onion that are toxic to dogs.

You should also avoid giving your dog turkey skin, which is very high in fat and can cause stomach upset. In fact, eating a high-fat meal can cause pancreatitis in dogs, so never feed fat and trimming from turkeys.

Don’t feed your dog cooked turkey with bones, including turkey necks. The cooked bones can splinter and cause injuries to your dog’s mouth, throat, stomach or intestines. A safe option is freeze-dried turkey neck from a pet supply store.

Steer clear of turkey deli meat and turkey hot dogs, which have high amounts of salt and preservatives that aren’t healthy for your pup.

Turkey sausage and turkey bacon aren’t recommended for dogs because of the seasonings and sodium. If your dog loves bacon and begs for some of your turkey bacon, try these dog treats with real bacon that are safe and nutritious:

Turkey meat and other treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

Dog food with turkey is made especially for a dog’s nutritional needs

Want to add turkey to your dog’s diet but not go through the extra steps of cooking it specifically for them? There are a variety of dog food products with turkey that are perfect for incorporating it seamlessly into their diet.

Can dogs eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Your dog can enjoy some Thanksgiving turkey in moderation if you cook it separately with no seasonings, no skin, and no bones. You’ll also need to adjust their calorie intake for the day to account for the extra food.

Stella & Chewy’s offers human-grade dog food made with cage-free turkey, squash, kale, sweet potato and other wholesome ingredients so your dog can enjoy a nutritionally complete Thanksgiving-style meal any day of the year! Check out our FreshMade Gobblin’ Good Gently Cooked Dog Food.

What other foods can dogs eat during the holidays?

Want your pup to be able to join in the holiday feast? Keep in mind any food prepared with spices, salt, oil, butter, and/or sugar are not healthy for them and can even be toxic. Generally, the following holiday foods are safe for dogs to eat in small amounts if prepared without seasoning:

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a natural source of soluble fiber for dogs and they can eat it fresh (cooked) or canned, but make sure it doesn’t have added sugar. Learn more about what kinds of pumpkin you can feed your dog.

Leafy Greens

Dark leafy greens are a superfood for dogs! Stick to greens that humans eat, like kale, spinach, lettuce, etc. Stella & Chewy’s SuperBlends dog food recipes are crafted with a blend of animal proteins, superfoods, bone broth and freeze-dried raw for an antioxidant-rich meal with a taste dogs love.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be a great source of dietary fiber for dogs. Feed it to them plain (without salt or butter) and cooked without the skin, which is difficult for them to digest. If your dog enjoys sweet potato, try our Gourmet Beef, Green Bean & Sweet Potato Stew for dogs!

Carrots

Carrots are a great snack that is high in fiber and vitamins and low in calories. As a bonus, they are good for your dog’s teeth! Both raw or cooked carrot is safe for dogs, and your dog can even eat some carrot greens - just make sure to cut the carrot or greens into bite sized pieces first.

Apples

Apples are another great high-fiber snack for dogs, but be sure to remove the stem, core and seeds. Too much apple can give your dog a stomach ache, so start with small amounts and cut the apple flesh into pieces or slices appropriate for your dog’s size. Plain applesauce (no sweeteners or flavors) is also safe for dogs, and you can even freeze applesauce in molds as a cooling summer treat.

It’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before feeding your dog new foods to ensure they’re eating a nutritionally complete diet. Remember, dogs can have turkey, but only when prepared safely and fed in small amounts.

Keep reading to learn which other human foods are safe (and even healthy!) for dogs to eat. It’s also important to know which human foods are toxic for dogs so you can keep your pup safe.

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