As you enjoy your delicious holiday meal, your pet looks at you desperately in the corner licking their chops, uncontrollably drooling and panting for a piece of your feast. We know you want them to feel apart of the festivities, why not make them something both scrumptiously tasty and good for their health as well? Here are Thanksgiving recipes for your pet to show them how grateful you are to be apart of their furry lives!
As you prepare your holiday turkey, you likely pull out the bag of giblets to use for gravy or discard. But did you know that these often overlooked turkey parts can make a healthy and delicious treat for your dog? Turkey giblets like the heart, liver and gizzard contain nutrients dogs love.
However, raw giblets can harbor bacteria like salmonella. Thorough cooking is necessary to make giblets safe and digestible for your pup. Follow this simple step-by-step guide to learn proper methods for cooking turkey giblets for dogs.
An Overview of Turkey Giblets
First, let’s look at what exactly turkey giblets are. Giblets refer to the internal organs of a turkey, which usually include
- Heart
- Liver
- Gizzard
- Neck
- Kidneys
These nutrient-dense parts provide protein essential vitamins and minerals. Both the rich flavor and added nutrition make giblets a tasty treat for dogs.
However, giblets must always be thoroughly cooked before feeding to dogs. Raw giblets can potentially contain salmonella and other bacteria that can make your dog sick.
Benefits of Turkey Giblets for Dogs
When prepared properly, turkey giblets offer many health benefits for dogs:
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Excellent source of high-quality protein for strong muscles, organ function and energy.
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Rich in amino acids like taurine that support heart health.
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Provides B vitamins for metabolism, iron for oxygen transport, and zinc for skin/coat health.
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Contains vitamin A for immune function and healthy vision.
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Natural source of glucosamine that promotes joint health.
So feel good about cooking up these nutritious morsels for your pup!
Selecting and Preparing Turkey Giblets
When cooking giblets for your dog, follow these tips for selection and preparation:
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Choose unseasoned giblets from organic, free-range turkeys when possible for best quality.
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Inspect giblets and rinse well under cool water to remove blood or debris.
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Remove any membranes, excess fat or small bones, especially from neck.
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Pat giblets dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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If freezing giblets, thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
Proper handling prevents contamination and removes unnecessary parts.
How to Cook Turkey Giblets for Dogs
Turkey giblets destined for your dog need thorough cooking. Here are safe cooking methods:
Stovetop Simmering
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Place giblets in a pot and cover with water by 2-3 inches.
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Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 45 mins to 1 hour.
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Simmer until giblets are cooked through and register 165°F internally.
Oven Baking
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange giblets in a baking dish in a single layer.
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Bake 30-40 minutes until completely cooked through, reaching 165°F internal temperature.
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Basting with broth helps keep giblets moist.
Slow Cooker
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Add giblets to crockpot and fill with water or broth to cover.
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Cook on low setting for 3-4 hours until extremely tender.
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Use a thermometer to confirm giblets reach 165°F.
Always verify the internal temperature of giblets after cooking to ensure any bacteria has been killed. Let giblets cool before handling.
Serving Turkey Giblets to Your Dog
Once giblets are fully cooked, follow these tips when serving them to your dog:
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Chop cooled giblets into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog’s size.
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Mix bites of giblets into your dog’s regular meals.
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For a special treat, serve small amounts of plain giblets pieces on their own.
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Store extra cooked giblets in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze for later use.
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Introduce new foods slowly and monitor your dog’s reaction.
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Adjust portion sizes appropriately based on your dog’s weight and activity level. Too much organ meat can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Your dog is sure to love these meaty morsels as an occasional treat. Just be sure not to overfeed. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns about introducing giblets or your dog’s diet.
Delicious Turkey Giblet Recipes for Dogs
Once you’ve mastered basic giblet cooking methods, try incorporating them into tasty recipes your dog will love:
Turkey Giblet Meatloaf
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Combine cooked ground turkey, egg, oats and chopped giblets.
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Form into a loaf and bake until cooked through.
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Slice to serve your pup.
Giblet Sweet Potato Stew
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Sauté chopped giblets. Add chicken broth, sweet potato chunks and carrots.
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Simmer until veggies are tender.
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Mash slightly before serving to your dog.
Pumpkin Giblet Dog Biscuits
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Mix whole wheat flour, canned pumpkin, chopped giblets, egg and baking powder.
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Roll out dough and cut into bone shapes.
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Bake until crispy.
Giblet Rice with Veggies
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Cook giblets, rice, peas, carrots and broccoli in broth until tender.
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Mash or puree for easy eating.
Let your dog lap up the flavor of giblets in creative combinations! Just watch portion sizes.
Safety Tips for Feeding Giblets
While giblets can make a great supplement for your dog, there are some important safety considerations:
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Always cook giblets thoroughly to avoid illness from bacteria. Never feed raw.
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Remove all small bones ahead of time to prevent choking hazards or obstructions.
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Introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive upset.
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Avoid overfeeding to prevent gastrointestinal issues from too much rich organ meat.
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Only feed your dog cooked giblets. Don’t allow access to raw giblets during food prep.
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Monitor your dog closely when first feeding giblets and stop immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction or intolerance.
Follow basic food safety guidelines and talk to your veterinarian to determine appropriate portion sizes. With proper precautions, cooked turkey giblets make a nutritious treat!
Satisfy Your Dog’s Cravings with Delicious Giblets
From stovetop simmering to baking and slow cooking, preparing turkey giblets for your pup is simple. Follow the steps above for proper handling, cooking and serving to provide your dog with a tasty, nutrient-packed snack.
Or get creative with preparation by whipping up giblet recipes your dog will devour. Just be sure to remove small bones, introduce new foods slowly and avoid overfeeding. With a few easy safety measures, your dog is sure to reap the benefits of these underutilized yet nutritious turkey parts.
Immune-boosting Turkey Meatballs
Use that leftover turkey to make your pet a delicious treat! About 1 lb of leftover turkey meat will work for this recipe. Be sure to remove all of the skin and bones. Turkey skin contains too much sodium, which isn’t healthy for your cat or dog to consume. Use ½ cup rolled oats, 2 eggs, 2 tbsps plain low-fat yogurt, ¼ cup fresh parsley, 1 cup mixed veggies (carrots, peas or green beans) and 1 scoop of pre + probiotic for cats or 1 scoop of pre + probiotic powder for dogs. The powder depends on whether or not you are giving to a cat or a dog. Be sure to not give a probiotic powder made for cats to dogs and vice versa.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Add the leftover turkey to a food processor or blender to chop up the meat. Add rolled oats and blend together the ingredients. Next, add the eggs, yogurt and probiotic powder. Be sure they mix well enough to hold together. Transfer to a separate bowl. Mix in your veggies and parsley by hand. Roll them into 1 inch balls. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes. You want to be sure they are golden around the edges. Be sure they cool down before serving to your furry friends. They can last up to 5 days in the fridge. For cats and smaller dogs, you will want to cut them into smaller pieces once they are finished baking! These make the perfect immune-boosting turkey balls for your beloved pet!
We know you may be tempted to discreetly give your pet a couple of hand-outs underneath the Thanksgiving dinner table. Don’t do it! Instead utilize those leftovers or make them something special for the holiday. They will thank you for it!
Probiotic Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin is excellent for your dogs digestion. These probiotic pumpkin pies will be put to good use, especially if you aren’t the only one tempted to feed your pooch Thanksgiving table food this year! Use 16 ounces plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling), ½ of a banana, ¾ cup gluten free flour, ½ cup gluten free oatmeal, ½ cup plain low-fat yogurt, ¼ to ½ cup of water and 1-2 scoops of pre + probiotic powder for dogs. You will need a cupcake / muffin tin with liners.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Mix flour and oatmeal in a bowl. Slowly add water to the mixture. Be sure to add it slowly because you want the consistency of the dough to be both firm and soft enough to be pliable. Line the cupcake tin with liners. Take pieces of the dough and press into the liners. The dough should be about ½ inch thick per liner. Bake for about 8 minutes until lightly brown. Remove the crusts from the tin and allow to cool on a rack. In a separate bowl, combine the banana, yogurt, canned pumpkin and pre + probiotic powder for dogs. Mix together well. Fill each tiny crust with the probiotic pumpkin mixture. You can freeze or serve as is! We don’t recommend giving them more than 2 probiotic pumpkin pies in a day. They contain a healthy chunk of fiber to help ease digestion!
We don’t recommend feeding your cat or dog food made for humans all of the time. This can instill some bad habits. However, for the holiday, you can indulge them for the day. When preparing a turkey, there is that part which makes even the best chefs a little squeamish. The giblets are what we pull out from the turkey cavity before preparing the turkey to bake. The giblets contain the liver, kidneys, heart, gizzard and neck. Instead of just tossing them, we can turn them into a healthy treat for our pet!
Remove the turkey giblets from the turkey cavity. Be sure to not include the neck as it contains bones. If the giblets are in packaging, remove them from the packaging. Rinse the giblets thoroughly. For cats and smaller dogs, chop them into small pieces. Place the giblets in a small pot and cover with water. Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cook for 5 to 10 minutes. You want to be sure they are cooked through. Transfer them to a separate bowl to cool down. Mix the giblets with the recommended dosage (based on weight) of salmon + hemp oil. This natural salmon + hemp oil for pets combination contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are exceptional ingredients to reduce inflammation, boost a healthy heart and provide a shiny coat.
Cooking the Turkey Giblets & Neck for a great Dog treat!
FAQ
Can dogs eat turkey giblets cooked?
Are Turkey Giblets Safe for Dogs? Yes, turkey giblets are safe for dogs when fed in moderation. They are a great source of protein and offer many other nutritional benefits.
How do you cook turkey giblets?
Soak giblets for at least 1 hour or overnight in buttermilk (or up to 1 hour in pickle brine). Heat 2 inches of canola oil to 350° F in a medium-sized skillet. Drain the giblets, slice them thinly, dredge them in flour (shaking off any excess), and fry in the canola oil until cooked through .
How to cook turkey necks for dogs?
- Add water and turkey neck to a pot.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and let simmer for 90 minutes.
- Scrape off cooked tender meat.
- Remove bones, strain, add back in extra meat.
- Portion & Serve!
Can dogs eat turkey giblets?
If you have a dog, you don’t have to let turkey giblets go to waste. Giblets are a nutritious snack that dogs love and it’s very easy to cook them. When you want to cook giblets for dogs, you will need to boil them in a pot of water until fully cooked. Like most meat, dogs absolutely love giblets.
How do you cook Turkey giblets for a dog?
There are three easy ways to cook turkey giblets for your dog: boiling, baking or steaming. This is the simplest method. Place the cleaned giblets in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let the giblets cook for 20-30 minutes, until no pink remains inside. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Can dogs eat giblets?
Giblets are a nutritious snack that dogs love and it’s very easy to cook them. When you want to cook giblets for dogs, you will need to boil them in a pot of water until fully cooked. Like most meat, dogs absolutely love giblets. If you’re interested in learning more about feeding giblets to your canine, then you’ve come to the right page.
How do you cook a turkey neck & giblets?
Follow these simple steps to cook turkey neck and giblets for your four-legged friend: Wash the turkey neck and giblets thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the turkey neck and giblets to the boiling water.
What should you do with Turkey giblets?
A turkey’s vital organs, called giblets, are the heart, liver, gizzard, neck and kidney. They get stuffed inside when it is processed. You must remove them before cooking the turkey; but what should you do with them? You can make gravy or throw them out.
How much Turkey Neck & giblets should a dog eat?
Organic or free-range – Opt for turkey from organic, free-range or pasture-raised sources when possible for higher quality nutrition. For a medium size dog, about 1 pound of turkey necks and 1 cup of giblets is a good starting amount. Adjust quantities based on your dog’s size and appetite. Before cooking, prep the turkey neck and giblets: