Can I feed turkey meat to my dog, and what do I need to consider? Is turkey meat healthy for dogs? Learn more about the topic!
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
When it comes to healthy dog nutrition, turkey meat is right up there. Versatile in preparation, it is low in calories and easy on the stomach. But what about raw turkey meat, and when should you reconsider giving turkey to your dog?
Turkey meat is a welcome and especially healthy treat for dogs. Lean, low in fat, rich in protein, vitamins B12 and B6, as well as magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium. So, if your dog enjoys turkey meat, go ahead and give it to him!
Especially active dogs or those who could use a few fewer pounds do well with turkey meat. However, you should skip the skin! Unlike lean breast and muscle meat, the skin is significantly fattier.
Can a Dog Eat Raw Turkey Meat?
Turkey, like chicken, is poultry and is therefore susceptible to salmonella. If you want to delight your dog with a nice piece of meat or start raw feeding, you should be cautious, especially with raw turkey meat.
To ensure that the purchased meat is still fresh, follow these steps before feeding:
- Turkey breast is one of the lighter meat types. The leg, on the other hand, can be slightly darker. Once you notice that the meat has taken on an unhealthy color, better stay away. The lighting at the meat counter can sometimes be deceiving, so be sure to inspect the meat again before feeding.
- The meat should be firm. Simply test it by pressing it with your finger. If the tension has diminished too much, discard it. As with any raw meat, be sure to wash your hands after direct contact. And depending on where your fingers were before, maybe even before, to avoid transferring germs.
- If you buy your meat at the meat counter, you should feed it fairly quickly after purchase. If it stays in the refrigerator for more than a few hours (where you should definitely keep it until feeding), take it out of the plastic bag and place it on a clean plate and cover it. Meat in bags quickly starts to “sweat” – a breeding ground for germs is then created.
- Also, when making a purchase, make sure not to buy meat from the packaging, and don’t necessarily go for the cheapest of the cheap. Large-scale turkey farming (thus lower prices) does not go without medications. And your furry friend should gladly do without those.
Alternatively, you can also buy your dog’s meat at BARF shops. There you can get various meat types fresh or frozen. Are you interested in raw feeding, but find BARFing with its complicated rules too elaborate? Then try our “BARF Complete.” The menu already contains everything your dog needs daily. Fresh meat as well as crisp fruits and vegetables, valuable oils, and minerals are already weighed and coordinated. Pre-portioned and still as fresh as when BARFing.
Is it Better to Feed Raw or Cooked Turkey?
Feeding Raw Turkey Meat to Dogs:
We’ve already listed the advantages (but also the dangers) of raw turkey meat for your dog. As an alternative to raw feeding, you can, of course, wield the cooking spoon. However, here too, you need to consider a few things to ensure your furry friend gets all the essential nutrients. Most dogs love home-cooked meals, and especially dogs with intolerances and allergies can benefit from them – it’s worth a try.
Feeding Cooked Turkey Meat to Dogs:
In contrast to raw feeding, cooking the turkey meat deprives it of some vital nutrients but simultaneously improves their absorption. Since these minerals and nutrients are not “cooked away” but rather washed out during cooking, you can use the broth after cooking as a tasty soup (for your dog or yourself).
However, the meat alone does not make a complete meal for your four-legged friend. To dispel a widespread myth right away:
Is Turkey Meat Good for Dogs?
Yes, turkey meat is a healthy protein source for dogs. However, keep in mind that our modern four-legged friends are not wolves, and therefore, they need more than just meat to eat. Yes, they are descended from wolves, but nutritionally there are some important differences. So, besides meat (or they may even do without it altogether), dogs also need vegetables on their menu.
Even if your dog is dealing with diarrhea or vomiting, you can treat them to 3-5 days of a self-cooked bland diet. For this, you can cook some turkey or preferably chicken with rice and carrots. Save some time and throw everything in a pot. But be sure to avoid any spices! Or, if you need something quick, our WET FOOD “Vet” Stomach & Intestine Fit, treatment-compliant and ready to serve, is here for you.
If you want to feed turkey meat and other meats regularly to your dog, you should buy it in a specialized BARF shop. Here you get all the components of a turkey for your dog because not only the meat can be eaten, but also the offal, and especially turkey necks are delicious and healthy for dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Healthiest Meat for Dogs?
Healthy is actually any meat that suits your dog well. The classic meats most commonly fed are beef and chicken (or poultry in general). For sensitive dogs, chicken and turkey are good choices. If your dog has an intolerance or allergy, more exotic meats are fed, such as horse, goat, or kangaroo.
How long should you cook turkey breast for your dog?
If your dog is sick and should be fed a bland diet, you can boil some turkey breast in unsalted water. Cut the turkey meat into small pieces and cook it until it is well-cooked inside. You can serve it with cooked carrots and some rice or cottage cheese.
What Turkey Meat is Suitable for Dogs?
A purely meat-based diet does not cover the entire nutritional needs of a dog. Therefore, cooked vegetables (e.g., potatoes, broccoli, carrots, or pumpkin) should be added to the cooked meat – which brings us back to BARFing, i.e., raw feeding. Without expert advice, you should not swing the cooking spoon anyway because if you do not intend to serve your dog bones and offal, you need a mineral mix as a supplement. Without enough minerals, you run the risk of undernutrition.
If you want to cook some turkey meat for your dog as a bland diet, the meat you can buy at the supermarket is sufficient.
