Can Dogs Eat Turkey? Find Out When It’s Safe and Even Beneficial

Americans certainly love turkey. It’s often even the centerpiece of holiday meals. But guess who else loves turkey? Your dog. 

If you’ve ever had your dog under your feet as you carve a turkey, you know it’s hard to resist giving them a bite or two. But you may also have wondered, can dogs eat turkey? 

Turkey is a common ingredient in many commercial dog food and treats. But that doesn’t mean all human-grade turkey is good for your dog. So there are some caveats you need to consider before giving your dog turkey off your plate. Below, veterinarians offer insights into how you can safely share that turkey with your pup. 

Can dogs eat turkey?

Dogs can eat turkey. In fact, turkey has numerous benefits for dogs. 

Turkey is, of course, a protein source. And because it’s a lean meat, it can be ideal for dogs who need to follow a lower-fat diet, Nita Vasudevan, DVM — a veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance — told GoodRx Health. 

Turkey also provides nutrients like B vitamins, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients can improve your dog’s overall health, their immune function, and their skin and coat. 

When turkey isn’t safe for dogs

Before feeding your dog turkey, there are some important things to consider. For starters, the turkey should be fully cooked and served plain. Do not add garlic, onions, or spices — all of which can be toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of these ingredients can be harmful.

“Small amounts of these additives can cause serious health issues from anemia to gastrointestinal distress,” Terry Fossum, DVM — a board-certified veterinary surgeon and the CEO of Dr. Fossum’s Pet Care — told GoodRx Health. 

You should also serve the turkey without skin, which is high in fat and can be difficult for dogs to digest. Consuming fatty foods could lead to gastrointestinal upset like vomiting or diarrhea. And in some cases, too much fat can lead to more serious conditions like pancreatitis, Fossum said.   

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Don’t feed your dog these foods. Dogs love to sniff out a potentially tasty treat. But here are human foods you never want to feed your pup.

• Should your dog go grain-free? Grain-free diets can be harmful to dogs. Learn why you want to avoid this trendy dog diet.

• Choosing a special diet: Read why these dog owners feed their pups a special diet, and see if a special diet might be a good option for your dog, too.

Note, too, that some dogs can be allergic to turkey. Monitor your dogs for signs of a reaction like itching, swelling, or gastrointestinal issues after you give them turkey, Vasudevan said. 

Don’t feed your dog turkey bones

Also, make sure you remove any bones from the turkey, as they can be brittle and splinter easily, before giving it to your dog. This is especially important if the bones are cooked. Your dog may wind up with serious health issues as a result of ingesting turkey bones. 

“Ingested bones can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues such as obstructions or perforations, both of which require emergency surgery,” Fossum said.

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

9 Holiday Plants That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs: Poinsettias, Mistletoe, and More

11 Foods That Are Poisonous to Cats: What Felines Can and Can’t Eat

Senior Dog Care: 9 Ways to Support Your Aging Pup

Is Cat Food Bad for Dogs?

View more

Quiz: What human foods are safe for dogs?

How often can you give your dog turkey?

Human-grade turkey should be viewed as a treat for your dog and given only in moderation. 

“Overfeeding — even plain turkey — can disrupt the balance of a dog’s regular diet and potentially lead to digestive upset or weight gain,” Vasudevan said. 

The general rule of thumb is that treats, like a bit of turkey, should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, Fossum said. She added that you also need to base treat portions on your dog’s overall diet and activity level. For a small dog, a few small pieces of plain turkey throughout the day might be OK. Meanwhile, you can offer slightly larger portions to a larger dog.  

What kinds of turkey can dogs eat?

With regard to human-grade turkey, the safest type for dogs is white, plain, fully cooked meat. Avoid feeding your dog deli turkey, which contains high amounts of sodium, preservatives, and additives. 

The sodium in lunch meat alone can cause issues like sodium ion poisoning, especially if a dog has eaten large amounts, Fossum said. Lunch meat also contains preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, which have been associated with gastrointestinal distress and other health risks for dogs. And it comes with a risk of listeria. 

The acidic nature of their stomachs make dogs more resistant to foodborne pathogens. But “immunocompromised dogs, puppies, elderly dogs, and those with underlying health conditions could be at risk of developing listeriosis,” Fossum said. 

Symptoms of listeriosis include: 

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Fever 

• Neurological symptoms in severe cases  

Can you make your own turkey treats for your dog?

You can make your own turkey dog treats, as long as you’re using plain, unseasoned turkey without bones. 

For instance, you can: 

• Add turkey to baked biscuits

• Turn turkey into jerky

• Make turkey meatballs

Of course, if you don’t feel like becoming your dog’s chef, you can find dog treats that feature turkey as an ingredient at pet stores. Look for treats with minimal, natural ingredients, like those made from 100% turkey. Just be cautious of turkey jerky. 

“While it may seem like a healthy, natural option, many jerky treats can be high in sodium or contain preservatives that aren’t ideal for dogs,” Fossum said. 

Make sure, too, the product you buy is labeled for dogs. Jerky made for humans could be too salty for your dog or contain harmful ingredients like garlic and onion powder.

What meats should you not give a dog?

Avoid giving your dog raw meat, as it can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And never give your dog bones from animal products. They could splinter and be a choking hazard or damage the insides of your dog. 

Is turkey or chicken better for dogs?

Whether turkey or chicken is better depends on your dog. Although chicken and turkey are both protein sources, turkey is generally leaner than chicken. If your dog requires a low-fat diet, turkey may be the better option, Vasudevan said. 

Turkey, though, does have a higher content of certain nutrients like selenium, which supports immune function, and tryptophan. Tryptophan is essential in the production of a neurotransmitter called serotonin that contributes to a dog’s well-being, Fossum said. 

Like with turkey, some dogs are allergic to chicken. So an allergy to either protein could also be a factor. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Karen Asp, MA, CPT

Karen Asp, MA, is an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness trainer and certified vegan lifestyle coach and educator through Main Street Vegan Academy. She is also certified in plant-based nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts