Turkey is a popular lean protein enjoyed by many people, especially during the winter holiday season. It’s also one you can share with your dog! According to vets, dogs can eat turkey as long as it’s served in moderation, without any added ingredients, as part of a well-balanced diet.
Plain, cooked turkey can be a healthy treat for dogs, says Dr Sarah Cortright, veterinarian and medical director at Underdog Community Project. The key is to remove bones and skin first for safety.
Read on to learn the benefits of turkey, the recommended serving size, and how to safely give your dog turkey.
Nutritional Benefits of Turkey for Dogs
Turkey is a common ingredient in many commercial dog foods.
Turkey has less fat than beef or lamb and provides dogs with several essential nutrients, including amino acids, protein, B vitamins, and minerals like zinc and selenium. These help keep your dog’s muscles strong, provide energy, and support a healthy immune system.
Plain cooked turkey with no bones or skin can also make a healthy snack or meal topper for dogs. The best way for dogs to get these benefits is from commercial dog foods labelled “complete and balanced” by the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. These diets are carefully formulated to provide the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
How Much Turkey Can My Dog Eat?
Dr Cortright recommends giving turkey only as a snack in addition to your dog’s regular meals.
Fresh turkey—in other words, turkey that’s not part of your dog’s dry food—should only make up 10%-15% of your dog’s total daily calories.
The following chart shares Dr Cortright’s recommended serving size for plain, cooked, skinless turkey.
When adding a meal topper, you can slightly reduce the amount of food you give your dog at that meal to avoid overfeeding. But it’s best to do this only as an occasional treat.
| Dog size | Treat portion | Meal topper portion |
| Small (under 9 kg/20 lb) | 1–2 small strips or dehydrated pieces | 28–57 g (1–2 oz, or approx. 30–45 ml/2–3 tbsp) |
| Medium (9–23 kg/20–50 lb) | 2–3 small strips | 57–85 g (2–3 oz, or approx. 60–80 ml/¼–⅓ cup) |
| Large (23+ kg/50+ lb) | 3–4 small strips | 85–113 g (3–4 oz, or approx. 120 ml/½ cup) |
Which Turkey Parts Are Safe for Dogs To Eat?
Boiled, baked, or roasted turkey is safest for dogs when it’s fully cooked and plain without added oils, butter, or seasonings, explains Dr. Nita Vasudevan, a veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance.
Jerky can also be safe, but only if it’s made specifically for dogs and doesn’t contain any added salt, garlic, or onion powder. It’s best to avoid store-bought turkey meant for people. These turkey products usually contain a lot of sodium and have seasonings that aren’t safe for dogs.
Safe parts of a turkey
Dogs can eat both white and dark turkey meat as long as you cook the meat first and don’t season it, Dr Vasudevan explains.
Leaner white meat makes a better choice for dogs prone to obesity or pancreatitis. That said, most dogs can eat a small amount of dark meat, even though it has slightly more fat.
Unsafe parts of a turkey
According to Dr Vasudevan, you should avoid feeding certain parts of turkey to dogs, including:
- Bones: Cooked bones in particular can splinter and cause choking or internal injury.
- Skin and fatty trimmings: These parts of turkey contain more fat and could lead to pancreatitis.
- Seasoned or stuffed meat: Seasoned meat may contain onions, garlic, butter, and salt, all of which can be harmful to dogs.
- Raw turkey: This can pose a risk of bacterial infection.
- Turkey lunch meat: While not immediately dangerous, it’s usually high in sodium and preservatives that aren’t good for dogs.
Safety Precautions for Feeding Dogs Turkey
Dr Vasudevan shares a few essential things to keep in mind when giving your dog turkey:
- Remove the turkey’s bones and dispose of them immediately. Avoid giving dogs raw or cooked bones.
- Always cook turkey thoroughly to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria.
- Trim skin and fat from the turkey before giving it to your dog.
- Stick to plain meat only, and avoid giving dogs turkey seasoned with spices, stuffing, or gravy.
Monitoring for health concerns
Some dogs may not tolerate turkey well, even when you prepare it carefully.
Dr Vasudevan recommends paying attention to any signs of gastrointestinal upset in the first few hours after giving your dog turkey. These signs might include:
More serious problems, including pancreatitis, bone obstructions, and toxin exposure, can also develop if your dog eats the wrong parts of turkey. These issues may take a few days to appear, and symptoms may include lethargy, pale gums, or changes in urination or stool.
If you notice any unusual changes in your dog’s behaviour or concerning health symptoms, contact your vet right away. For dogs with conditions like pancreatitis or food sensitivities, you may want to avoid giving them turkey altogether.
Other Holiday and Seasonal Foods for Dogs
Dogs can eat a few other seasonal foods besides turkey.
For example, dogs can safely eat pumpkin as long as it’s served plain, without added sugar, butter, or spices. The same goes for carrots, broccoli, parsnips, green beans, and cauliflower—all vegetables you might have with a roast dinner. A small amount of plain bread is generally acceptable, too, but it doesn’t offer much nutritional value.
However, your dog can’t eat all seasonal foods. Items like roast potatoes, bacon, pigs in blankets, and cheese sauces are too fatty and high in calories, which can cause an upset stomach. And some are extremely dangerous, including:
Gravy, stuffing, and bread sauce are best avoided, as they often contain toxic ingredients.
Instead of giving your dog leftovers or a plate of seasoned food, set aside a few pieces of safe foods like plain turkey or pumpkin. And of course, make sure to keep the portions small—no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
