Can Dogs Eat Turkey? Parts That Are Usually Fine, Bones to Skip and How Much
Not veterinary advice. This article shares general information about dog gear only. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Check fit and supervise your dog with new gear, toys and chews, and ask your vet about health, diet, injuries or behaviour concerns.
Turkey is in a lot of dog food, so it's natural to wonder whether your dog can share the real thing. The short answer is yes, plain turkey meat is usually fine for dogs in small amounts. The problems come from how holiday turkey is cooked and served: the skin, the butter rub, the seasoning, the stuffing and, above all, the bones.
This guide covers which parts of a turkey are safe, which aren't, how to prepare plain turkey for a dog, how much to give and what to do if your dog gets hold of a bone. It's general information drawn from the American Kennel Club (AKC), the ASPCA, the FDA, VCA Animal Hospitals and the USDA. It isn't a substitute for advice from your own vet. Ask your vet before adding turkey or any people food to your dog's diet, especially if your dog has a health condition such as diabetes or pancreatitis, a food allergy or a prescription diet.
Is turkey okay for dogs?
The AKC says turkey isn't inherently toxic to dogs, notes that it's used as an ingredient in many dog foods, and says that when it's cooked plain, without added salt, fat or seasonings, it can be part of a homemade diet under the guidance of your veterinarian.
The same article points out that Thanksgiving turkey is rarely plain. It's often rubbed with butter or oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs and spices, and stuffed with onions, garlic and other ingredients. Some of those ingredients are toxic to dogs, and others can cause digestive upset or pancreatitis (AKC).
So the question isn't really "can dogs eat turkey?" but "can my dog eat *this* turkey?"
Turkey parts: what's usually okay and what isn't
| Part | Okay for dogs? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain white breast meat, skin off | Usually yes, in small amounts | Lean protein, easy to check for bones |
| Plain dark meat, skin off | Small amounts | Keep portions small; breast meat is easier to trim and check for bones |
| Skin | No | High in fat, usually coated in butter, oil and seasoning |
| Gravy and drippings | No | Fatty and usually salted or seasoned |
| Cooked bones (including wings and legs) | No | Brittle; can splinter and cause choking or internal injury |
| Meat touching stuffing or onions | No | May carry onion, garlic or other toxic ingredients |
| Raw turkey | Not without your vet's guidance | Risk of bacteria such as Salmonella |
Turkey skin
The AKC advises removing turkey skin, explaining that too much fat (from the skin plus any butter or oil used for roasting or frying) can cause pancreatitis and that the seasonings can irritate your dog's stomach. The FDA gives the same warning about skin from roasted turkey and chicken, and lists vomiting, stomach pain, restlessness, shaking, diarrhea, fever and weakness as the most common signs of pancreatitis in dogs.
Seasoning, stuffing and aromatics
Onions, garlic and chives belong to the Allium family. The ASPCA says they can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage that can lead to anemia. If your turkey was stuffed or roasted on a bed of onions, skip the meat that sat closest to them. The AKC recommends picking through any portion you offer to make sure none of the roasting aromatics are mixed in.
Salty and processed turkey
Brined turkey, deli turkey slices, turkey bacon and turkey sausage can be much saltier than plain roasted meat, and sausages often include onion or garlic, so check the label. The ASPCA warns that excessive salt intake can cause increased thirst and urination, and in serious cases vomiting, tremors and seizures. Plain, unseasoned turkey you cook yourself is the safer option.
Can dogs eat turkey bones?
Cooked turkey bones: no. The AKC explains that cooked poultry bones are brittle and, combined with their small size, very dangerous for dogs. It lists mouth and tongue injuries, choking, obstruction of the throat or intestines, possible piercing of the stomach or intestinal lining, constipation, rectal bleeding and blockages that need emergency surgery among the risks.
The FDA adds that dogs are notorious for raiding the trash for the turkey carcass, and recommends wrapping scraps and bones securely and putting them in a bin your dog can't get into.
Raw turkey bones and necks: the AKC notes that some owners feed raw, meaty bones such as turkey necks in consultation with their vet, but that any raw bone carries a risk of bacteria like Salmonella. The ASPCA cautions that bones, raw or not, can cause injury or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. This is a decision to make with your vet, not on Thanksgiving afternoon.
If your dog loves to chew, a durable chew toy is a safer outlet than a bone. Our guide to dog toys for strong chewers covers what to look for.
How to cook plain turkey for your dog
If your vet is happy for your dog to have turkey, the safest way is to cook a portion yourself with nothing added.
Plain turkey breast (or ground turkey) for dogs
- You need: boneless, skinless turkey breast or plain ground turkey, and water. No salt, oil, butter, onion, garlic or seasoning.
- To poach breast: put the breast in a pan, cover with water, bring to a simmer and cook until the thickest part reaches 165 °F on a food thermometer, the USDA's safe minimum internal temperature for all poultry. Let it cool, then shred or dice it.
- For ground turkey: cook it in a dry nonstick pan, breaking it up, until it reaches 165 °F, the USDA's minimum for ground poultry. Drain off any fat.
- To serve: cut into pieces sized for your dog and let it cool completely.
- To store: the USDA advises refrigerating leftovers in shallow containers within two hours. Keep your dog's portion in a labeled container so nobody seasons it by mistake.
You can also set aside a piece of breast from the holiday bird *before* it's buttered and seasoned, but that's hard to do with a stuffed or brined turkey. Cooking a separate piece is simpler.
How much turkey can a dog have?
Turkey should be a treat, not a meal replacement. VCA Animal Hospitals says the general rule is that 90% of a dog's daily calories should come from complete and balanced food and no more than 10% from treats and snacks, and recommends checking with your veterinary team if you're unsure of your dog's calorie needs.
Practical tips:
- Start small. VCA suggests introducing new foods slowly and one at a time, especially for dogs prone to tummy upset.
- Size matters. A small dog's treat allowance is tiny. A couple of small pieces may be plenty.
- Reduce their regular food slightly on a day they get extra treats, so the total doesn't creep up.
- Don't make it a habit. The AKC warns that regularly feeding table scraps can lead to obesity, which brings its own health problems.
If your dog has diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease, food allergies or is on a prescription diet, ask your vet before giving any turkey. VCA notes that some medical diets don't work properly if other foods are added. For the rest of the holiday table, from sweet potato and green beans to the foods to keep away from your dog, see our list of Thanksgiving foods dogs can eat.
Fun ways to serve turkey safely
- Lick mat: press a little shredded plain turkey into a lick mat with plain pumpkin puree. See our lick mat ideas and safe toppings.
- Frozen toy: stuff a few pieces of plain turkey into a hollow rubber toy with your dog's usual wet food and freeze it. Our frozen dog treat toys guide explains how.
- Training rewards: tiny pieces of plain turkey make high-value rewards for practising "settle" during dinner.
- Snuffle game: hide a few pieces in a snuffle mat for a few minutes of sniffing. More ideas in our indoor dog enrichment ideas.
If you'd rather not handle people food at all, the AKC suggests a turkey plush toy, turkey tendon chews or a Thanksgiving-themed canned dog food as alternatives.
What to do if your dog eats a turkey bone or the carcass
- Call your vet or an emergency vet right away, and tell them what was eaten, how much and when. Don't try home remedies or make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Move any remaining bones or scraps out of reach so your dog can't eat more.
- Watch for warning signs. The FDA lists drooling, choking or vomiting as signs of obvious distress, and notes that if a bone lodges in the stomach or intestines, symptoms may not appear right away. Hours to days later a dog may vomit, have diarrhea, be less active, refuse food or have stomach pain.
- Follow your vet's advice even if your dog seems fine at first.
If your dog ate seasoned turkey containing onion or garlic, or anything else you're worried about, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away. The ASPCA lists onion and garlic among foods that can harm pets.
Frequently asked questions
Is turkey good for dogs?
Plain cooked turkey is a lean protein and a common dog food ingredient, so it can be a good occasional treat. It should stay a small part of the diet, and you should ask your vet first if your dog has health issues.
Can dogs eat turkey skin?
No. Turkey skin is high in fat and usually coated in butter, oil and seasonings, which the AKC and FDA link to stomach upset and pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat dark turkey meat?
Plain dark meat without skin is generally fine in small amounts. Breast meat is easier to trim and check for small bones, so it's the simpler choice.
Can dogs eat ground turkey?
Plain ground turkey cooked to 165 °F with no oil or seasoning, with the fat drained, is fine for most dogs as an occasional treat.
Can dogs eat deli turkey?
It's one to skip. Deli turkey can be salty and may contain seasonings, and the ASPCA warns that excessive salt can make dogs ill. Plain turkey you cook yourself is safer.
Can puppies eat turkey?
Puppies have sensitive stomachs and specific nutritional needs. Ask your vet before giving a puppy any people food, including turkey.
About the author: This article was researched and written by the Dog Gear Hub Editorial Team. We base food and safety guidance on published advice from the AKC, ASPCA, FDA, AVMA and VCA, linked above. It is general information, not a substitute for your own vet's advice.
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