Can Dogs Eat Turkey?

This Thanksgiving, you might be tempted to slip your dog some turkey under the table. But is it safe to give in to those puppy-dog eyes? The fact is, turkey alone is OK, but certain spices and dressings that turkeys are commonly prepared with can be a no-go for your pup. For more, we reached out to veterinarian Dr. Amy Fox to teach us how to safely “accidentally” drop some turkey your dog’s way this Thanksgiving.

Nutrition facts of turkey for dogs

Is turkey good for dogs?

Turkey is rich in nutrients, such as riboflavin and phosphorus. It’s also a common ingredient found in kibble, given its high protein content. The turkey found in dry dog food is hardly the kind that makes its way to our Thanksgiving tables, though. More likely than not, your Thanksgiving turkey includes salt, seasoning, and fats that most dogs should avoid. That being said, your dog still might be able to partake in turkey day — under the right circumstances:

“Plain, white-meat turkey can be OK in small bite-sized amounts,” Dr. Fox tells Kinship. “But pet parents should avoid sharing anything fatty, such as the skin or dark meat, and anything with sauce or seasoning on it.” 

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Can dogs have turkey bones?

Definitely save the wishbone for your human guests this Thanksgiving. Dogs should never, under any circumstances, have bones.

“Smaller, hollow bones, like turkey bones, can splinter and break, especially once cooked, causing injuries as dogs try to chew and swallow them,” Dr. Fox adds. “They can also cause intestinal blockages and bone impactions further down in the digestive tract.” 

Can dogs have white-meat turkey?

Dogs can have a few small bite-sized pieces of plain white-meat turkey without any sauces or seasoning.

Can dogs have dark-meat turkey?

While not toxic to dogs, it’s best to avoid dark-meat turkey, given its high fat content. This high-fat content can put your dogs at risk for digestive upset or pancreatitis. 

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Is turkey completely safe for dogs?

Both white and dark-meat turkey is non-toxic to dogs. However, pet parents should proceed with caution when treating dogs to some turkey. If you do choose to give your dogs a few bites of white-meat turkey, ensure they are small and are served without seasoning or sauces.

And, as with giving your dog any people food, moderation is key. “Some of the common emergencies pets encounter around the holidays include digestive upset from over-indulging in foods they are not accustomed to,” Dr. Fox says. “In more serious cases, this can also cause pancreatitis, often from eating fatty or spicy foods.” 

Other commonly served Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs

Carrots

Plain carrots are a healthy and nutritious snack for dogs. However, because most carrots are served salted and seasoned, maybe slip your dog a plain one during Thanksgiving prep. For more info on safely sharing carrots with your dog, check out our guide on whether you can feed dogs carrots here.

Cooked sweet potato

Sweet potato is considered a “superfood” for both humans and dogs thanks to its digestive properties. But dogs should definitely enjoy this superfood as plainly as possible and in moderation. Similar to the carrots, if you plan to season your sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving, consider setting a plain one off to the side for your dog when cooking. For more info on safely sharing this snack with your pup, read this about feeding your dog sweet potatoes.

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Apple

Apples are a sweet treat your dog can enjoy safely, once the seeds and the core are removed. Not to sound like a broken record, but moderation is also key when it comes to apples and your dog. Similarly, avoid sharing apple pie with your dog. While cooked apples aren’t toxic to pups, the sugar and fat in apple pie is likely to upset their stomach. For more info on safely sharing apples with your dog, check out our guide.

Other commonly served Thanksgiving foods that are not safe for dogs

Garlic and onions

Although not usually served by themselves, garlic and onions are usually involved somewhere in the process of making Thanksgiving food delicious. But garlic and onions are toxic to your dog, particularly onions. Avoid giving your dog any foods cooked or seasoned with these items. Read this for or more info on the toxicity of garlic and onions for dogs.

Grapes and raisins

Sometimes used in stuffing, raisins pose a very big risk to dogs. Even small traces of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Besides stuffing, avoid serving raisins and grapes in dishes that dogs can easily reach (such as a pre-dinner charcuterie board perched on a coffee table). Do not offer dogs foods that were cooked with raisins or grapes, even if the raisins and grapes have been removed. Here’s more on why raisins and grapes are so toxic to pups.

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Pecans and walnuts

Common pie fillings, such as walnuts and pecans, are both very toxic to dogs. Both nuts contain juglone, which can cause vomiting and GI distress. Unlike raisins and grapes, one or two dropped nuts are not likely to harm your dog, though you should monitor your pup after any amount of consumption. If your dog gets into a bag of nuts or a pie, however, make sure to get them veterinary attention as soon as possible. 

High fat content foods

Thanksgiving is a time when humans indulge in some delicious and rich dishes, but that doesn’t mean your dog should. Fatty foods, such as buttery veggies or dark-meat turkey, can cause GI upset or even pancreatitis in your pup. Always make sure even “non-toxic” human foods are served plain without butter, seasoning, or tons of salt. 

Bottom line: Can dogs eat human food?

Most of the time, human food is best reserved for, well, humans — especially foods prepared with spices and sauces, such as those commonly found on the Thanksgiving table. But some human foods, like plain, white-meat turkey, are perfectly safe for your dog in moderation. That being said, if your dog has stomach sensitivities or dietary restrictions, it is better to be safe than sorry and avoid human food altogether. 

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In the grand scheme of things, human food should never make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet and is best reserved for a special occasion. Even on special occasions, such as Thanksgiving, it’s best to start off with a small amount and monitor your dog’s reaction to any new or special food.