Can Dogs Eat Turkey?

Can our furry family members nibble on some of the delightful table treats, such as turkey? In the case of turkey, yes, they can! Grilled, roasted or fried turkey can be incorporated into your dog’s daily treat allowance. 

However, there are a few things to consider before you carve your pup a piece: 

• A dog’s treat allowance can make up to 10% of its total daily caloric intake. For a typical 25 lb. dog that would be about 40 grams of white meat turkey or 30 grams of dark meat turkey—NOT including the skin. That’s not much! 

• Turkey is an excellent source of the amino acid tryptophan. While too much tryptophan and turkey for humans may make us feel tired, large quantities of turkey for dogs can cause an increase in flatulence. Feed your dog too much turkey and expect some toots! 

• Dogs and savory seasonings often don’t mix well. For example, garlic and onion can impact dogs’ red blood cell function and should be avoided. If there’s enough garlic seasoning on the turkey that you can smell it, it may be too much for your dog. 

• Deli turkey meat is not a good option. Deli meat is usually laden with added sodium, fat and seasonings and may not be ideal options for many dogs. 

• If your dog is not easily stressed and handles changes to its diet easily, roasted or baked turkey breast can be a generous treat. But be cautious not to overindulge or feed turkey with unknown additives. Sometimes it’s just best to feed a treat designed specifically for dogs, such as Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® Turkey Bacon Recipe treats or Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® Soup Bones™ Real Turkey & Rice Flavor long-lasting chews.