Whether or not turkey is safe for dogs to eat is not a big mystery. Warning: This sentence contains a spoiler: turkey is not only secure but also a common protein source in commercial dog foods. While preparing dinner, throwing bits of turkey to your dog can be a perfectly healthy treat, but not all turkey parts are safe. So whats a dog-owning foodie to do?.
Where to buy raw chicken and turkey necks for your dog
1. Chicken necks at grocery stores
Turkey necks are available at most neighborhood grocery stores and Walmart.
2. Duck necks from Raw Paws
If you can’t find chicken or duck necks at a local farm or butcher, you can simply order them from raw feeding online retailers such as Raw Paws. I used to buy duck necks from them for quite some time since I couldn’t source them locally.
Order ducks necks from Raw Paws online HERE.
3. Turkey sales
After the holidays, keep an eye out for turkey (and chicken) deals because dogs can consume both turkey and chicken necks.
Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, grocery stores have their surplus of whole big birds for sale, including necks, gizzards and hearts. I wrote about how I saved a pretty penny in my post Turkey deals after the holidays.
Downsides & Risks of Turkey Necks for Dogs
Even when dehydrated, turkey necks run the risk of being contaminated with dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E coli. It is crucial to follow safe food hygiene procedures, such as thoroughly cleaning surfaces and washing your hands after handling these products. Turkey necks, like any product containing bone, pose a choking risk and can also result in constipation and intestinal blockages, among other problems.
How my dog Wally eats a raw turkey neck
Watch my dog Wally in the following video demonstrate how to consume a raw turkey neck. As you can see, holding onto the end is helpful in preventing your dog from attempting to swallow the entire object.
I’m sharing this because it demonstrates how calmly and respectfully my dog ate his bone while obeying my commands and my hand. https://youtu. be/r7Y60sqi3mk.
FAQ
Can I cook the turkey neck and give it to my dog?
It is imperative that you keep an eye on your dog as they tuck into a turkey neck because the bones in the neck can be a choking hazard if your dog is a gulper and doesn’t chew them thoroughly. Never give a cooked turkey neck to your dog as the bones can become brittle and cause internal injuries.
Can dogs eat turkey neck and giblets?
Frequently, store-bought turkeys come with the giblets, which can include the liver, kidneys, heart, gizzard, and neck. When fully cooked, the majority of these extras are completely safe for your dog to eat (as long as no one else will notice them during dinner).
Can raw turkey hurt a dog?
Small amounts of plain, unseasoned, boneless, and skinless turkey are safe for cats and dogs. While you can feed your pets raw turkey, doing so increases their risk of bacterial contamination and illnesses like salmonella. In addition, puppies, canines with cancer, liver, or kidney disease shouldn’t consume raw meat.
How do I feed my dog a turkey neck?
Turkey necks should only be fed raw or air-dried. High-heat cooked bones are more likely to splinter and hurt your dog’s mouth and digestive tract. Most dogs can generally be given small amounts of lean, thoroughly cooked turkey meat as a treat without risk.