Can Dogs Eat Turkey? A Surrey Vet’s Thanksgiving Guide
Thanksgiving falls on Monday, October 12 this year, and in a lot of Surrey and Langley homes the dog will be sitting closer to the table than anyone else. The short answer to the question everyone asks: a little plain turkey meat is generally fine for most dogs. The skin, the gravy and especially the bones are where the holiday trouble starts.
Here’s what our veterinarians at Mascot Animal Hospital want you to know before the bird comes out of the oven.
Can dogs eat turkey?
Yes, in small amounts, as long as it’s plain. Cooked turkey meat with no skin, no bones and no seasoning is generally safe for dogs in small portions.
The catch is that Thanksgiving turkey is rarely plain. It’s usually rubbed with butter or oil, seasoned with garlic, onion and herbs, and sometimes stuffed. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs, and rich, buttery meat can upset their stomach.
If you’d like to share, take a small piece of white meat from the centre of the breast, away from the seasoned outside, and add it to your dog’s regular bowl. Think treat, not second dinner.
How much turkey can I give my dog?
Less than you’d think. A few small bite sized pieces is plenty for most dogs, and small dogs need even less. Treats should only ever be a small part of what your dog eats in a day, and it’s a sudden rich meal that tends to cause problems.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, has had pancreatitis before, has food allergies or is on a prescription diet, skip the turkey and give them a treat made for dogs instead.
Can dogs eat turkey skin?
No. Turkey skin, fatty trimmings and gravy are the parts of the meal most likely to cause problems. Fatty foods are hard for dogs to digest, and sometimes even a small amount can trigger pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas that can need hospital care.
Watch for vomiting, a sore or hunched belly, not eating, diarrhea, or being unusually quiet in the day or two after a holiday meal. If you notice any of these, call your vet.
Can dogs eat turkey bones?
No. Cooked turkey bones are brittle and can splinter when chewed. The pieces can cause choking, injure the mouth or throat, or cause a blockage in the stomach or intestines.
That includes the wishbone, the drumsticks and the carcass in the garbage. A lot of turkey bone trouble starts after dinner, not during it, when the leftovers are on the counter and the garbage bag is within reach.
My dog ate a turkey bone, what do I do?
Call your vet right away, even if your dog seems completely fine. While you’re on the phone:
- Take away any bones or pieces still within reach.
- Don’t try to make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Sharp pieces can do more damage on the way back up.
- Note what was eaten, roughly how much, whether it was cooked, and when.
- Know your dog’s approximate weight.
Over the next few days, watch for gagging or retching, vomiting, drooling, a sore or swollen belly, straining to pass stool or not passing any, blood in the stool, not eating, or low energy. Any of these means your dog needs to be seen.
Mascot Animal Hospital is open every day from 8am to 11pm. For overnight concerns, go to the nearest 24 hour emergency hospital.
Can cats eat turkey?
Yes, a small piece of plain, boneless, skinless turkey is generally fine for cats too. The same rules apply: no skin, no gravy, no seasoning, no bones.
Cats have one extra Thanksgiving risk: string. The twine used to tie a turkey smells irresistible, and swallowed string can cause a serious blockage in a cat’s intestines. If you see a string hanging from your cat’s mouth or under the tail, don’t pull it. Call your vet right away.
While you’re at it, keep lilies out of any fall bouquets. They’re highly toxic to cats.
How do I keep my dog away from the turkey?
- Push the carving board and serving dishes well back from the counter edge.
- Ask guests not to feed the dog, however hard the dog lobbies.
- Bag the carcass, bones and twine right away and put them in a lidded bin outside or behind a closed door.
- Give your dog their own long lasting chew in another room during dinner.
- Give nervous pets a quiet room away from guests, and keep an eye on the front door.
Need a vet this Thanksgiving in Surrey?
Mascot Animal Hospital is a locally owned veterinary clinic at 17767 64 Ave #109, Surrey, BC V3S 1Z2. We see dogs and cats from across Surrey and from Langley Township, Fleetwood, Walnut Grove, Willoughby and Cloverdale, and we’re open every day from 8am to 11pm for wellness visits, urgent care and same day appointments.
If your dog got into the turkey, call us before you come in so our team can be ready for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark turkey meat OK for dogs?
Dark meat is higher in fat than white meat. If you share, white meat from the breast is the better choice, in small amounts.
Can dogs eat raw turkey?
Raw or undercooked poultry can carry bacteria that make dogs and people sick, so we don’t recommend it.
Can puppies eat turkey?
Puppies tend to have sensitive stomachs. It’s safest to stick with their regular puppy food and treats over the holidays.
Can dogs eat turkey necks?
Turkey necks contain bones, so we don’t recommend them, cooked or raw.
How long after eating a turkey bone will a dog show symptoms?
Some problems show up within hours and others take a few days, which is why it’s worth calling your vet even if your dog seems fine.
