Unless you’re using the turkey neck in a tasty gravy, stock, or soup, many of us can’t think of anywhere else to put them besides the trash. It might seem wasteful, but if giblets aren’t your specialty, what’s the point in keeping them?
Well, when you have a dog in the house, you may not have to scrap your scraps just yet. Turkey necks can be offered to your dog. However, feeding your dog bones is controversial and does come with some risks you should be aware of.
If you do not need the giblets after unpacking your Thanksgiving bird, we’ll discuss how and why you can give your dog turkey necks to eat, and the risks to help you decide whether to do this or not.
Turkey necks bones are a popular treat for dogs. But can dogs eat turkey neck bones safely? This is a common question many pet owners have. While turkey necks do provide some nutritional benefits, they also pose potential choking hazards and other risks. This article provides a detailed look at the pros and cons of feeding dogs turkey neck bones.
An Overview of Turkey Neck Bones
Turkey necks are the neck bones of a turkey They consist of bone, cartilage, connective tissue and meat Turkey necks are often much larger than chicken necks. An average turkey neck bone can be 6-10 inches long.
Turkey necks have become a popular raw meaty bone (RMB) to feed dogs Since they contain meat, many owners see them as a nutritious supplement or substitute for commercial dog food Additionally, the size and texture of turkey necks make them ideal, long-lasting chews. Dogs often spend hours gnawing on them.
Potential Benefits of Turkey Neck Bones for Dogs
There are some potential benefits associated with feeding dogs turkey neck bones. These include:
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Nutrition – Turkey necks provide protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. The bone and connective tissue also contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which helps support joint health.
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Dental Health – Gnawing and chewing on turkey necks can help clean tartar off a dog’s teeth.
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Mental Stimulation – Working on a turkey neck bone provides dogs with mental enrichment.
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Satiety – The high protein and fat can help dogs feel full.
So in moderation, raw turkey necks can provide nutritional and dental benefits for dogs. They are also an enjoyable activity.
Risks and Dangers of Feeding Dogs Turkey Neck Bones
However, there are also some potentially serious risks and dangers associated with feeding dogs turkey neck bones.
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Choking Hazard – The size and shape of turkey necks makes them a choking risk. Dogs may try to swallow large pieces that get lodged in their throat.
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GI Obstruction/Blockage – Turkey neck bones can cause obstructions or blockages in a dog’s esophagus, stomach or intestines.
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GI Perforation – Sharp bone fragments can potentially puncture or perforate the GI tract.
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Broken Teeth – Aggressive chewers may crack or break teeth on turkey necks.
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Contaminants – Raw turkey necks may contain bacteria like Salmonella.
So while turkey necks have some benefits, they do come with considerable risks. These risks need to be considered before feeding them.
Are Cooked Turkey Necks Safe?
Some owners believe cooking turkey necks reduces risks. However, this isn’t the case. Cooked bones of any kind become brittle and prone to splintering.
Cooked turkey necks can easily fracture and splinter into sharp fragments. These fragments then cause damage throughout a dog’s mouth, throat and GI tract.
Never feed dogs cooked turkey necks or any other cooked bone. Only raw turkey necks are even remotely safe for dogs, and even these need precautions.
Feeding Guidelines for Raw Turkey Neck Bones
The risks associated with turkey necks means owners need to be very careful about feeding them safely. Here are some basic feeding guidelines:
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Only feed raw, meaty turkey necks. Never cooked or smoked.
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Choose an appropriate sized neck for your dog. Don’t exceed 6-10″ in length.
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Introduce slowly. Feed for short periods of time until you know your dog can handle them.
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Always supervise your dog with any chew or bone. Do not leave alone.
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Avoid giving turkey necks to aggressive chewers or dogs with dental issues.
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Feed turkey necks outside. They tend to make quite a mess.
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Limit turkey necks to one or two times a week at most.
Even when following precautions, turkey necks do carry risk. Some dogs are better off not eating them at all. Owners need to evaluate the appropriateness of turkey necks for their individual dog.
What Do Veterinarians Say About Turkey Neck Bones?
Many veterinarians warn against feeding dogs turkey necks at all. The risks and dangers outweigh any potential benefits for most dogs. Additionally, there are safer alternatives to provide dental and mental enrichment.
However, some vets do approve turkey necks for dogs on raw diets. But only when owners are extremely cautious and follow precautions.
In general, veterinarians suggest pet owners avoid turkey necks. The dangers are considerable, and tragic accidents can happen even with supervision. Most vets recommend safer chews and toys for dogs instead.
Summary: Can Dogs Eat Turkey Neck Bones?
In conclusion, the answer is yes – dogs can eat turkey neck bones. But extreme care and caution needs to be taken by owners first.
The potential choking hazard, GI obstruction risk and dental hazards mean turkey necks are quite dangerous for dogs. Cooked turkey necks should never be fed.
Owners who do choose to feed raw turkey necks need to follow safety guidelines very closely. And even then, accidents resulting in expensive surgery or death can still occur.
For most pet owners, the risks outweigh any benefits, and they are better off finding safer alternatives for their dog. But with proper precautions, some dogs can eat turkey necks infrequently without issue. Owners should discuss with their vet first.
Pathogens in Raw Meat
Turkey necks must always be fed raw as cooked bones may splinter and cause serious problems. Unfortunately, raw meat can be contaminated with parasites and bacteria like E. Coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. Your dog could become unwell from eating raw meat. Campylobacter bacteria found on raw poultry has also been linked to a condition known as Coonhound Paralysis.
Choking and Constipation
The high bone content in turkey necks can be problematic for dogs that like to swallow their food fast with minimal chewing. The bones are soft and unlikely to crack and splinter when given raw, but if your dog gulps down an oversized bite, it can become a choking hazard. Bone also makes stool firmer and more difficult to pass, and your dog may even suffer constipation if they eat turkey necks frequently. If this becomes ongoing constipation can become severe and cause your dog to become unwell, and they usually need veterinary treatment to recover.
Top Tips: Turkey Necks for Dogs | Dr. Alex Crow | PetHealthGuru | Dog Food | Veterinarian Tips |
FAQ
Can dogs eat turkey neck bone?
Yes, turkey giblets are safe for dogs when fed in moderation. They are a great source of protein and offer many other nutritional benefits.Dec 24, 2023
Which turkey bones are safe for dogs?
RAW (please note I mean raw as in uncooked) poultry bones, chicken, turkey, duck, goose etc are perfectly safe for dogs as they are soft and are very good for their teeth, as being bones they can scrape tartar off the dog’s teeth. However COOKED poultry bones must NEVER NEVER be given to dogs.
Are neck bones safe for dogs?
- Beef neck bones: Can be eaten as a meal or snack, and are suitable for large and small dogs
- Chicken necks: Good for small dogs and puppies
- Lamb neck pieces: Good for medium and large dogs
- Turkey necks: Can be eaten by large and extra large dogs, but raw turkey necks can contain salmonella
Can dogs eat chicken neck with bones?
Chicken necks are a relatively soft bone so are a great option for new raw feeders. They are appropriate for small dogs, small breed puppies, cats and kittens.
Can dogs eat turkey neck bones?
If the neck bones are brittle or prepared (cooked) at high temperatures, they pose risks to your dog’s health. The small parts of bones are a choking hazard, might constipate your dog, and cause an intestinal obstruction or bacterial contamination. Whenever you give your dog turkey necks, observe them.
What meat should I never feed my dog if they have dementia?
A dog can be fed with any kind of fresh meat like chicken, pork, beef, fish or turkey. It is not advisable to feed processed meat to dogs because there are scientific studies that claim that these processed meat can increase the risk of developing dementia.
Can dogs eat raw turkey necks?
Frozen – Frozen raw turkey neck bites are good for smaller dogs. Dehydrated – This is another safe way to give this treat to dogs. Freeze Dried – This is as safe as dehydrating. Smoked – This process weakens bones and isn’t good for dogs. If your dog is used to raw feeding, raw necks don’t pose as much risk.
What happens if a dog eats a turkey bone?
Many things can happen if your dog eats a turkey bone as the size, shape, and condition of the bone all matter. If the bone was cooked and splintered, the result will be much different than a whole, uncooked bone. In some cases, turkey bones can lead to serious complications and these typically need veterinary care.
Are turkey necks good for dogs?
There are other nutritional benefits of turkey necks for dogs, too! It’s good for your dog’s immune system, especially with a balanced diet. The fat-soluble vitamins are easier for your dog to digest, so that they will boost your dog’s health more than a multivitamin. Turkey necks are a fantastic source of B vitamins – especially vitamin B12.
Can dogs eat leftover turkey bones?
Some people even give leftover turkey and chicken bones to dogs as treats. No bones about it, that’s not a good idea. Cooked bones can splinter, puncturing the digestive tract. I always advise against giving dogs poultry or fish bones. Rib bones and pork bones also splinter easily.