Thanksgiving is roughly a month and a few days away. The wonderful day, also referred to as Thanksgiving Day, is the annual get-together where we eat delicious food with family. This includes our furry family members as well. Like most holidays, we also have a tendency to be a little more kind to our dogs by giving them some of our food. On Thanksgiving, they might get a few table scraps, but we still need to watch out for overindulging them and giving them stomach aches.
The answer is yes as long as the turkey is plain and devoid of salt, seasonings, butter, onions, and garlic, all of which can be detrimental to your dog’s digestive system. Additionally, it shouldn’t be fried because that is also bad for your dog. Give your dog the “lean” turkey meat for the healthiest treat possible. Make sure the skin and any extra fat are removed from this, which would be the white meat. Giving them skinless, lean turkey gives them a cut that is rich in protein and nutrients. Plus, you will be their favorite person for the day. The skin and thighs of the turkey are particularly fatty, and veterinarians advise against feeding them these parts because they can cause your dog to develop pancreatitis, an uncomfortable condition in which their pancreas becomes inflamed. Vomiting, diarrhea, and a lack of appetite are the hallmark signs of this condition.
There is always plain, ground turkey to use as a special treat for your dog if you don’t want to exclude them from the holiday celebrations. With this alternative, your dog can still enjoy a nice, tasty Thanksgiving topping to their regular dry food even if you cook it plain without any seasonings. Alternately, you could prepare them their own unique turkey loaf using this fantastic recipe from Cesar’s Way. Going the extra mile for your dog is a great way to ensure that everyone is content: you can prepare the turkey to your guests’ preferences while giving your dog a healthy treat that won’t upset their stomach. It’s definitely something to be thankful for.
And you can’t forget about the turkey bones. Even if you don’t intend to give your dog these bones, make sure you get rid of them properly so that your dog can’t get to them. They can break apart and result in internal damage to your dog’s digestive tract in addition to being small enough to present a choking risk.
Stuff the Turkey and Not the Dog!
When stuffing a turkey, stuff the turkey rather than the dog. Dogs do enjoy stuffing because it tastes delicious and the bread is incredibly fragrant, but even turkey stuffing can be problematic.
Just keep in mind that using garlic and onions around dogs could result in a toxic reaction. Additionally, keep in mind that the presence of raisins or currants may increase the risk of developing acute kidney problems.
And dont assume that giving a teeny amount is OK. Even a small quantity of grapes, raisins, or currants can cause severe, acute kidney failure, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
To keep the stuffing from spilling out of the turkey, many people tie it up with string. Another thing you might want to avoid touching is this string because even a seemingly harmless piece of string can become problematic.
As the string tastes and smells like turkey, dogs will readily gulp it down, which could result in what is known as a “linear foreign body obstruction.”
In this situation, the string may become entangled around the intestine and result in a perforated bowel in dogs, a potentially fatal abdominal infection.
In fact, turkey is simple to digest and is frequently given to dogs who are vomiting or having diarrhea along with plain white rice, according to Dr. Gabby.
Giving a turkey that has been baked or boiled without adding any fat or spices is acceptable. It’s also not a bad idea to choose a small amount of the lean, white turkey meat rather than the dark meat.
White meat contains more protein and is leaner, healthier, and lower in calories than dark meat, according to our Dr Ivana.
Additionally, avoid giving it any bones, greasy drippings, or skin because these items can cause issues.
Dogs can become ill for a variety of reasons after eating turkey, as evidenced. Therefore, it is best to refrain from giving any foods that might cause problems.
As with most things in life, moderation is key when it comes to feeding turkey to dogs because any dietary changes can cause digestive problems in canines with sensitive stomachs.
So when the holidays are approaching, stuff the turkey instead of the dog.
Did you know that while we might assume that dogs, like us, must experience the drowsy tryptophan effect after eating turkey, Linda P. claims that feeding turkey to your dog will not promote calmness. Case, a dog trainer, nutritionist, and science writer, writes on her blog “The Science Dog” “Contrary to popular belief, turkey does not have a high concentration of tryptophan.
However, a recent study by DeNapoli in 2000 revealed that tryptophan supplementation may have positive effects on dog behavior, turning out to be beneficial in lowering the level of dog aggression.
References:
DeNapoli JS, Dodman NH, Shuster L, Rand WM, Gross KL. Dogs’ dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity are affected by their diet’s protein content and tryptophan intake. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Aug 15;217(4):504-8. doi: 10. 2460/javma. 2000. 217. 504.
If you’ve ever watched your dog intently while your husband was carving a turkey, you know that he was undoubtedly interested in snatching some pieces of that mouthwatering bird. He actually seems to be hoping that your husband will drop a piece or two on the floor for him to pick up. A dog, after all, takes his responsibility for keeping the house “clean” very seriously. However, just because some of the foods we eat are appealing to our dogs does not mean we should feed them those foods. Even in very small amounts, some foods that are completely safe for human consumption are toxic to our dogs. Most households’ favorite food, chocolate, has a similar effect to cocaine on our dogs’ systems and can cause heart attacks and even death. *Trace amounts of the popular plant-based sugar substitute xylitol can cause liver failure in a dog that is otherwise healthy. But what about turkey? According to experts, turkey should not be given to dogs as a precaution.
Turkey is not toxic to our canine friends’ furry friends like other foods can be. But there are other issues with how turkey affects our dogs’ systems that make it a poor choice for dog food. To help enhance the natural flavor of the turkey when we cook it at home, we take care to prepare it with additional spices, rubs, oils, and even butter. Most people also like to add onions and garlic to dressings or to the area around the turkey to help create the juices that will be the foundation of the gravy. When it comes to dogs and turkey, this is where we have issues. Even though turkey is safe for our dogs to eat on its own, onions and garlic can seriously harm a dog’s health. Additionally, additional butters and oils raise the prepared bird’s overall fat content. Too many fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in our dogs. Although pancreatitis can be acute or severe, it almost always needs to be treated by a veterinarian. For our dogs, eating turkey can also cause gastrointestinal distress. When dogs eat turkey, they frequently experience diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting. Dehydration from excessive vomiting is also a concern.
Raw turkey bones are a great way to keep your dog’s teeth and jaws healthy. Although care must be taken to watch your dog as he enjoys his treat, uncooked bones are much stronger and less likely to break. A raw turkey bone is no more to be feared than any other raw bone. They make a tasty and healthy snack for dogs, who enjoy chewing on them. The bottom line is that you can safely feed your dog turkey in moderation and under the appropriate circumstances, and the benefits of their teeth-cleaning properties are just an added bonus. It is advised to keep the amount of human foods in your dog’s diet to a minimum. Limiting human foods to rewards that are used as training aids or to reinforce desired behaviors will produce the best results. When human foods are used in this way, your dog will begin to view them as special privileges rather than meal options.
If you take the necessary precautions, Fido can partake in a small amount of turkey as part of your holiday celebrations. Make sure to steer clear of fatty foods like the skin and gravies, and focus on using only small amounts of meat for Fidos snacks. A little caution can help you avoid needless and extortionate veterinary costs. Give Fido a raw, meaty turkey leg to enjoy while you and your family enjoy the cooked version at your holiday meal for an extra special treat.
It is best to limit the amount of turkey you feed your dog, just like with all human foods. There is always the potential of developing an upset tummy. Gastrointestinal distress in your dog could result from any changes to their routine diet. Vomiting and diarrhea are unpleasant on any day of the week, but they are especially unpleasant on holidays when the entire family is present to celebrate. Feeding only very small amounts of this food can help you avoid unnecessary illness or vet visits. It is also advisable to keep in mind that feeding your dog human food may result in behavioral issues that you would not otherwise encounter. By including turkey in his meal, you run the risk of inadvertently making your dog reluctant to eat the premium, nutrient-rich food you put in front of him. He used to devour it with gusto, but now he knows that if he refuses to eat, eventually you’ll get worried about him and offer him something he likes better. Fido just played you, but don’t feel bad—all of our dogs are experts at this skill, so you most definitely are not alone if it happened to you!
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FAQ
Is turkey bad for dogs to eat?
Turkey is absolutely safe for dogs and cats to eat. Many dogs enjoy a diet that includes turkey as one of the primary ingredients in their kibble, wet food, or both. In fact, turkey is a good source of protein for your pet and contains a variety of healthy nutrients for dogs, including phosphorus.
What happens if my dog ate turkey?
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms in your pet in case they stole a bite of the Thanksgiving turkey or someone has been feeding them table scraps: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lack of energy, difficulty breathing, and bleeding. If you notice any of these signs, speak with a veterinarian right away.
Does turkey cause diarrhea?
Even worse than that, though, is the possibility that your turkey will contain the bacteria Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause stomach-bug symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Is turkey hard for dogs to digest?
1. Turkey Skin: Dogs have a hard time digesting fatty foods like turkey skin and gravy. Even pancreas inflammation in your dog can cause pancreatitis, a very dangerous condition. 2.