Can cats eat turkey?

Updated 12/05/2023

Whether you’re roasting a family-sized turkey for Thanksgiving or making yourself a health-conscious lunch, it’s likely your meat-loving feline wants in on the action. But ponder this: can cats eat turkey, or is turkey poisonous to cats? Let’s find out.

Is turkey safe for cats?

Good news for thankful felines! Yes, turkey is safe for cats to eat. As long as the turkey meat is fully cooked and plain (that means no seasonings, salt, or sauces, things like onions and garlic are also a big no -no). If the turkey is skinless and boneless, it’s perfectly safe for feline friends. Be aware that some pre-cooked and raw turkey may have some flavorings or seasoning that may be toxic to cats, so always check the label.

As obligate carnivores, meat is a key part of your kitty's diet - in fact, it's likely your kitty's cat chow of choice already lists turkey orchicken as one of the main ingredients!

Health benefits of turkey

So, it might be safe, but are there actually any health benefits to eating turkey? 

Yes - turkey is low in calories and fat, and contains no sugar or carbs. Plus, as it’s rich in vitamins, it can offer additional nutritional benefits for feline friends. Turkey is rich in B vitamins, which can help boost your kitty's immune system and brain function. It's also a great source of selenium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous, sodium, and potassium. 

That said, it is quite low in fiber, which is needed in your cat's diet for healthy stools.

Feeding your cat turkey

The best way to feed your kitty some tasty turkey is to choose a commercial turkey-based cat food that will be specifically tailored to your cat's needs.

That said, if you'd like to feed your cat a piece of plain, cooked turkey as a treat, it’s best to follow the 10% rule - that is, that treats should make up no more than 10% of your kitty’s diet. And yes, while it may be considered a healthy protein swap in your lunchtime salad, turkey definitely counts as a treat for our feline friends! 

Feeding your cat turkey:

• Make sure the turkey is fully cooked all the way through - avoid giving your cat raw turkey, which may contain harmful bacteria.
• Make sure the turkey is plain - that means no seasonings, salt, or sauce.
• Avoid giving your kitty the turkey skin - this is high in fat and can cause tummy upset and lead to weight gain. Same goes for turkey bacon!
• Don’t feed your cat turkey bones - bones (of any kind) could splinter and cause your kitty an injury. They’re also a choking hazard! 

As with all ‘human’ foods, before introducing something new into your cat’s diet, it’s a good rule of thumb to have a chat with your vet first, especially if your kitty has other health or weight-related conditions to consider.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

What other human foods are safe for cats?

So, turkey is safe for cats - providing its plain, cooked turkey meat. But what else can or can’t cats eat? Here are some other popular ‘human foods’ that are considered safe for feline friends:

• Cooked fish and chicken
• Pumpkin (remove the outer skin and seeds)
• Cooked eggs
• Oatmeal
• Deseeded apples and pears 
• Carrots 
• Broccoli 
• Brown rice