Can dogs eat turkey?

Updated 12/04/2024

With its pride of place at Thanksgiving and Christmas, turkey meat is enjoyed around the world for its famous umami taste and succulence. And naturally, we wouldn't be shocked to hear your pup pines for a slice every year as you're carving. But can dogs eat turkey or is turkey meat bad news for our canine companions? Well luckily for your pup, dogs can eat turkey safely, so long as it's skin and seasoning-free. For more on the safest way to treat your pup to a piece of turkey or two, take a look below where you'll find info on some of the precautions around dogs and turkey, plus the health benefits your pup can reap from the meat.

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Is turkey poisonous to dogs?

If you're wondering can dogs eat turkey or is the meat sometimes poisonous to dogs - you'll be pleased to know that well-cooked, in-date turkey shouldn't contain anything that's likely to cause any kind of toxicity in dogs. But (and this is a big but), turkey can cause salmonella poisoning in dogs if it's not cooked thoroughly, or if it's served beyond its use by date. So, like other meats, you should always be sure to cook it all the way through, following the cooking instructions from your butcher, the packet or your favorite recipe website. 

And can dogs be allergic to turkey or does turkey give dogs diarrhea for any reason? Well a turkey allergy is pretty rare in dogs, but signs you should look out for include paw biting, itchiness and inflamed skin, or symptoms of an upset tummy including vomiting or diarrhea. Of course, diarrhea after eating turkey could also be due to poorly-cooked or rancid meat. Either way, any unsettling symptoms from your pup should be met with an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. 

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Is turkey good for dogs?

And can dogs eat turkey and get any of the health benefits that we humans can, or is turkey bad for dogs? Well the lean turkey meat certainly contains a whole host of micro and macro nutrients (read on below to find out what these are) that dogs can benefit from, but if served with the skin, turkey can be a seriously fatty snack that should really be avoided in the canine world. So, if turkey is served plain and without the skin or bone, your pup can reap some of the health benefits that we'll list below. 

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Health benefits of eating turkey for dogs

As we've said, if turkey is served in the right way for our canine companions, then it can be a pretty healthy snack. Below find some of the nutrients in turkey that your pup could benefit from every now and then.

• High in protein
• Vitamins B3, B6, B12 
• Zinc
• Phosphorus
• Iron

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Feeding your dog turkey

So as we've mentioned, while your pup might pine for fatty slices of turkey with lashings of Thanksgiving gravy, your dog should only be getting stuck into plain pieces of cooked meat every now and then. The skin is incredibly high in fat and is often covered in seasonings and flavorings that can be seriously unhealthy and in some cases, toxic to our furry friends. So, when it comes to dogs and turkey, keeping it simple is the rule of thumb. So that you're fully clued-up on feeding your dog turkey, below we're answering some of the most common questions around the topic.   

Can dogs eat turkey bones? 

Certainly not - bones pose a serious choking hazard, plus when chewed away and swallowed, could also damage your pup's gastrointestinal system. Cooked bones are especially brittle, so the chances of splinters puncturing your dog's insides is even higher. 

Can dogs eat ground turkey?   

And is ground turkey good for dogs or should it be avoided for any reason? Well yes and no - if the ground turkey you opt for is low in fat, cooked all the way through and served without any seasonings, it could be a healthy treat for your pup. However, if it's laced with other ingredients and has a high fat content, then it's bad news for your pooch.

Can dogs eat raw turkey?

Definitely not. There's a high risk of salmonella poisoning when it comes to consuming raw meat, so we really don't advise throwing raw turkey titbits for your pooch.    

Can dogs eat turkey legs?

As long as it's cooked thoroughly and without any seasonings or other ingredients, turkey leg meat is perfectly safe for dogs. Just don't serve it with the skin or the bone due to the high fat content in the skin and the choking hazards that the bones pose.

Can dogs eat turkey breast?

Certainly - plain, cooked turkey breast meat can be enjoyed as a snack by your pup.

Can dogs eat turkey liver?

Turkey liver, as long as it's cooked all the way through, can offer your pooch its rich nutrients of iron, zinc and copper. With that said though, if your pooch enjoys a dog food that's right for their age, breed and health status, they shouldn't need to snack on anything additional to stay healthy. 

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Other turkey products

So, now we know that turkey can be enjoyed plain and thoroughly cooked, can dogs eat turkey if it's in different forms? Well each ingredient should be taken on a case by case basis when it comes to feeding your pup. With that said though, a rule of thumb is to never feed your pooch anything overly processed or with added salt or flavorings. So, if you were wondering - can dogs have turkey sausage, turkey lunch meat or smoked turkey, we advise giving it a miss. In our books, there's no reason to risk feeding your pup something that could negatively affect their health.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

So now that we've cleared up the question - can dogs have turkey, and we know that dogs and turkey can be a match made in pup heaven if it's served correctly, what about other foods we humans love? Can dogs enjoy those too? Take a look below for advice on foods dogs can have and check out our blog for even more foods dogs can eat. 

• Unsweetened yogurt
• Mushrooms
• Corn off the cob 

Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community.