Turkey necks for dogs have become a popular chew, with many pet owners choosing to feed them as a treat or part of a raw diet. So, what are turkey necks? What are the benefits of feeding them and are they safe for dogs?
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This article will help you to understand the pros and cons of feeding turkey necks so you can make an informed decision before choosing to feed them to your dog.
Turkey Necks are moderate to high in calories and should be fed occasionally as a treat.
There are several risks associated with feeding Turkey Necks including bacterial contamination, intestinal blockages, constipation, and choking.
Turkey necks are a by-product of the meat industry, where welfare standards may vary so try to buy free-range products with animal welfare accreditation (RSPCA, Red Tractor, Soil Association).
Raw turkey necks have become an increasingly popular treat and food for dogs Many dog owners like to feed raw turkey necks because they are a natural source of protein, nutrients, and chewing enrichment for dogs However, there are also some potential risks with feeding raw turkey necks that owners should be aware of. In this article, I’ll provide a veterinarian’s perspective on the pros and cons of feeding dogs raw turkey necks.
What are Raw Turkey Necks?
Raw turkey necks are the whole neck of the turkey without the head or skin attached. They contain the vertebrae bones, cartilage, muscle meat, and connective tissue of the neck
Turkey necks are usually 10-12 inches long, which makes them well-suited for medium, large, and giant breed dogs. Smaller chicken necks are better for small dogs.
Turkey necks can be purchased fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried Fresh or frozen turkey necks should always be fed raw, never cooked The high heat of cooking makes turkey neck bones brittle and prone to splintering, which can damage a dog’s mouth, throat, and digestive tract.
Potential Benefits of Feeding Raw Turkey Necks
There are several potential benefits associated with feeding dogs raw turkey necks:
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Natural source of protein: Turkey necks provide dogs with highly bioavailable protein that supports muscle development and overall health. Growing puppies and active, working dogs have particularly high protein needs.
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Nutrient-rich: Turkey necks contain vitamins, minerals, glucosamine, chondroitin, and other nutrients. Calcium and phosphorus support bone health, while B vitamins aid metabolism.
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Dental health: Chewing on raw turkey necks may help clean teeth and reduce plaque and tartar buildup. This can improve dental health.
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Mental enrichment: Gnawing on a large turkey neck provides dogs with mental stimulation and satisfies their natural desire to chew. This can help prevent boredom and anxiety.
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Joint health: The natural glucosamine and chondroitin found in turkey necks may support joint health and mobility, especially for dogs with arthritis.
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Weight management: Turkey necks are a low-calorie lean protein source that can aid dogs in maintaining a healthy weight.
Potential Risks of Feeding Raw Turkey Necks
While there are some benefits, there are also a few potential risks to consider with feeding raw turkey necks to dogs:
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Choking hazard: Dogs that gulp down turkey neck bones without properly chewing could potentially choke. Always supervise dogs when feeding turkey necks.
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Bacterial contamination: Raw meat carries a risk of Salmonella, E. coli, and other bacteria that can make dogs sick. Proper food handling and hygiene is essential.
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Digestive issues: Too much bone can lead to constipation or blockages. It’s important to feed the appropriate size bone for your dog.
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Broken teeth: Aggressive chewers may break teeth on the hard bones. Inspect your dog’s mouth regularly when feeding bones.
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Nutritional imbalance: Overfeeding turkey necks could lead to an excess or deficiency of some nutrients in your dog’s overall diet. They should be fed in moderation.
So while there are some benefits to raw turkey necks, it’s crucial to weigh the potential risks and monitor your dog closely when feeding them.
Are Raw Turkey Necks Suitable For Your Dog?
While many dogs do well with raw turkey necks, there are some instances where caution is warranted:
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Puppies: Turkey necks are inappropriate for puppies, as their growing bones require strict calcium and phosphorus levels best provided by a commercial puppy diet.
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Older dogs: Senior dogs with compromised teeth or digestion may struggle with turkey necks. Always monitor them closely.
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Aggressive chewers: Dogs who gulp food or are intense chewers run a higher risk of choking and dental damage.
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Small dogs: The size of turkey necks may pose a choking hazard for small breed dogs. Chicken necks are more appropriately sized.
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Obesity: Due to their high calorie content, turkey necks are best limited for overweight dogs. Low-calorie treats are a better choice.
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Allergies: Dogs with poultry allergies should avoid turkey necks and other poultry products.
If you have any concerns about feeding raw turkey necks to your dog, consult with your veterinarian. They can help you determine if turkey necks are a good option based on your dog’s health, life stage, and dietary needs.
Feeding Guidelines for Raw Turkey Necks
If you do choose to feed your dog raw turkey necks, follow these tips to reduce risks:
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Appropriate size: Select a turkey neck size that is suitable for your dog’s breed and size. Do not feed pieces that are too large.
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Moderation: Feed no more than 1-2 necks 2-3 times per week, depending on your dog’s size and activity level. Overfeeding may cause digestive upset.
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Supervise: Always monitor your dog closely while they are gnawing on turkey necks to prevent choking. Do not leave dogs unsupervised with any chews or bones.
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Introduce slowly: When first introducing turkey necks, go slowly to allow your dog’s digestive system to adjust.
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Prevent fighting: If feeding turkey necks to multiple dogs, separate them to prevent resource guarding fights over the high-value bones.
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Proper storage: Store fresh or frozen turkey necks properly in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. Thaw frozen necks fully before feeding.
Following feeding guidelines and supervising dogs closely can help make raw turkey necks as safe as possible. But some risk always remains with any raw meat chew.
Answers to Common Raw Turkey Neck Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about feeding dogs raw turkey necks:
Are raw turkey necks safe?
They can be safe when fed properly but do carry a risk of digestive issues and bacterial contamination. Appropriate precautions are important.
Can puppies have turkey necks?
No, turkey necks are unsafe for puppies under 6 months as they have specific calcium and phosphorus requirements.
How often can I feed turkey necks?
Feed no more than 1-2 necks, 2-3 times per week. Overfeeding can cause diarrhea, constipation, or an unbalanced diet.
What size turkey neck for my dog?
Choose an appropriate size neck for your dog’s breed and weight. Medium, large, and giant breeds do best with full turkey necks. Smaller chicken necks suit little dogs.
Can dogs eat cooked turkey necks?
No. Cooked poultry bones splinter easily and pose a significant choking and internal injury risk to dogs. Only feed raw turkey necks.
Are there alternatives to turkey necks?
Other options like raw chicken necks, bully sticks, Himalayan chews, and vet-approved dental chews avoid the risks of turkey bones.
Raw turkey necks can provide some benefits to dogs such as dental health, mental enrichment, and nutrients. However, raw bones also pose meaningful risks that owners must seriously consider. While supporters promote turkey necks as a natural food source, many vets remain cautious about endorsing them. By supervising carefully, introducing slowly, and feeding appropriately sized necks in moderation, the risks can be reduced. But some hazards inevitably remain. Weigh your own dog’s unique factors before making the decision to feed raw turkey necks. If in doubt, safer chew alternatives are widely available.
Benefits of Turkey Necks for Dogs
Cleans TeethEncourage chewing may help remove plaque and tartar.
Mental Enrichment Provides mental stimulation and may help relieve stress.
The belief that chews like turkey necks help to keep our pup’s teeth clean is just one of the reasons these treats are so popular. Certainly, the action of chewing something hard may help to reduce plaque and tartar, however, there aren’t currently any studies that prove these benefits. So, though they may be of some benefit in helping to keep your dog’s teeth clean, turkey necks should not replace routine dental care and regular vet checks. Any possible benefits would also be reduced in dogs that swallow these treats quickly, with little chewing!
Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs and is both fun and stimulating for your pup. Providing an appropriate item for your dog to chew on also helps keep them away from inappropriate objects, like your shoes! Chewing can also help reduce boredom and is even believed to relieve stress. Turkey necks generally last for around 20-30 minutes, but may be less if your pup is a speedy chewer!
The cartilage and connective tissue found in natural chews, like turkey necks, contains chondroitin and glucosamine, the building blocks of cartilage. These ingredients are commonly found in supplements designed to promote joint health in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Though these ingredients may have a positive effect, there is currently no evidence available to determine the quantities present in turkey necks and whether this is clinically beneficial to dogs with joint disease. If your dog is suffering from joint problems, they require a diagnosis and treatment plan from a veterinarian.
What Are Turkey Necks?
As the name suggests, turkey necks refer to the entire neck of the turkey, without the head, skin, or crop (a muscular pouch that stores food). The neck contains the spine (including the bones or vertebrae), the trachea (windpipe), muscle, and connective tissue.
Turkey necks can measure up to 10-12 inches or so in length, are larger than both duck and chicken necks, and may be better suited to medium, large, or giant breed dogs.
There are five countries responsible for 80% of turkey meat production across the EU — the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Poland. Turkey meat produced in the UK, including turkey necks, is usually clearly labelled or can be easily traced to its source. Turkey necks are considered a by-product of the poultry meat industry and are not intended for human consumption.
When purchasing turkey necks or turkey meat products, try to look out for farms that are free-range with a high standard of animal welfare. These products will have received accreditations from organisations like the RSPCA, Red Tractor and the Soil Association, meaning they meet strict farming and animal welfare standards.
There are two main types of turkey necks available as treats for dogs, dehydrated and raw. Dehydrated turkey neck products are usually slowly air-dried, but make sure to check the processing method before you buy. Products that have been dried at high temperatures should be avoided as this can make the bones more brittle and prone to shattering, risking serious injury to your dog’s mouth, throat, and gut. Dehydrated turkey necks can be purchased both from pet stores and online retailers.
Raw turkey necks are available fresh or frozen from butchers, supermarkets, and even online from raw pet food websites. As with any raw meat product, it’s essential to follow strict hygiene and food safety practices. Fresh turkey necks should only be fed raw and never cooked, as cooking increases the risk of the bones shattering and can cause serious injury, as previously discussed.
Some pet owners choose to feed raw turkey necks to their dogs as treats or as part of a raw diet. This article is not designed to discuss raw feeding in-depth, only the use of these products as an occasional treat.
However, pet owners that choose to feed raw need to be aware of the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli. E.coli has been linked to severe illness and even death in humans, and immunocompromised family members and children are considered to be at higher risk.
The following links contain more information on raw food safety and answers to frequently asked questions about raw feeding dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Necks?
FAQ
Can you give a dog a raw turkey neck?
Dogs can eat the entire neck, but it is best to feed in moderation to avoid digestive upset. Each bag is made from approximately 15 oz of raw turkey neck.
What parts of a raw turkey can a dog eat?
While both white and dark meat portions of a turkey are safe for a dog to eat, white meat tends to be a better protein source. If you want to feed your dog a small amount of turkey to satisfy their craving without giving them too many extra calories, stick to the white meat pieces.
Are raw neck bones safe for dogs?
For those looking for a longer-lasting chew, recreational bones can also be offered – raw beef neck bones for dogs, for example, are a popular choice.
Are raw turkey bones safe for dogs?
Turkey bones, whether cooked or raw, can cause severe health issues for dogs, including choking, internal injuries, and blockages.
Are raw turkey necks good for dogs?
Raw turkey necks have many benefits that can improve your dog’s health. Here’s a brief roundup about them. Raw turkey necks are full of beneficial nutrients. For example, they have a high protein content, which benefits animals’ health in many different ways.
Can dogs eat turkey necks?
Turkey necks are a good option for dogs with allergies to other proteins such as chicken or beef. They are a simple and natural protein source that can be easily digested by dogs with food sensitivities. 6. How should turkey necks be prepared for dogs? Turkey necks can be fed raw or cooked to dogs.
Are raw turkey necks good for You?
Raw turkey necks are full of beneficial nutrients. For example, they have a high protein content, which benefits animals’ health in many different ways. It improves their muscle development, gives them healthy skin, and regulates hormones’ production, to name a few.
Are turkey necks good for dogs with osteoarthritis?
The cartilage and connective tissue found in natural chews, like turkey necks, contains chondroitin and glucosamine, the building blocks of cartilage. These ingredients are commonly found in supplements designed to promote joint health in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Can dogs eat frozen turkey neck bones?
An acceptable alternative are freeze-dried turkey necks for dogs. When you cook bones like turkey necks, they become brittle and can easily break. That’s when they’re pointy and dangerous. So remember not to feed your dog any cooked bones. The only time when cooking turkey neck bones for dogs is OK is when you use them to make homemade bone broth.
Are turkey necks safe to eat?
There are several risks associated with feeding Turkey Necks including bacterial contamination, intestinal blockages, constipation, and choking. Turkey necks are a by-product of the meat industry, where welfare standards may vary so try to buy free-range products with animal welfare accreditation (RSPCA, Red Tractor, Soil Association).