Can Dogs Eat Turkey Necks? What You Need To Know

Before you cook it up for your dog, can dogs eat turkey necks? Is it safe? This guide will answer this question and more.

Pet parents, are you looking for natural treats that are good for your dog’s health? If so, you probably heard about the potential benefits of turkey necks. Keep reading to discover how safe it is to add this to your dog’s diet.

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating turkey necks.

What Are Turkey Necks

When talking about turkey necks, we refer to the whole turkey neck without the head or skin. The neck includes the spine, trachea, muscle, and connective tissue.

The meat on the turkey neck is dark meat. Turkey breast and wing are the parts of the turkey with white meat.

How big are they? They measure about 1 foot long on the bird. The turkey necks sold in stores are about six inches long. They are bigger than either duck or chicken necks.

You’ll find raw turkey necks from butchers and grocery stores. Online retailers and pet stores sell dehydrated or air-dried turkey necks for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat a Turkey Neck

Yes, dogs can eat the entire neck of the turkey as long as it is raw or dehydrated. If the neck bones are brittle or prepared (cooked) at high temperatures, they pose risks to your dog’s health. The small parts of bones are a choking hazard, might constipate your dog, and cause an intestinal obstruction or bacterial contamination.

Whenever you give your dog turkey necks, observe them. You should also control how many turkey necks your dog eats.

Due to the high fat content of turkey necks, it’s not suitable for dogs with kidney disease. Even healthy dogs might get an upset stomach if they overeat.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Necks and Giblets

Yes, it is safe to give your dog turkey giblets. Organ meat is full of iron and nutrients and is a fantastic source of protein.

Look closer at other turkey parts and see how safe they are for your dogs.

Parts Of The Turkey

Turkey bones – like the turkey leg – are safe for dogs if they aren’t cooked. White meat is lower in calories. So, turkey breast is better for your dog than darker meat on the legs.

Turkey skin isn’t good for dogs to eat. They will love how it tastes, but it’s full of calories and could contribute to unhealthy weight gain.

Turkey wings have bones that splinter and could be choking hazards.

Are Turkey Necks Safe For Dogs

Yes, turkey necks are generally safe for dogs to eat as long as they are prepared correctly. If the bones are subjected to high temperatures, they could splinter and hurt your dog’s mouth and gut.

If your dog suffers from health issues, contact your vet before giving your dog raw or freeze-dried turkey necks. There is a slight chance that raw meat could make their health problems worse.

Are Turkey Necks Good For Dogs

Yes, there are a lot of health benefits of turkey necks for dogs. Let’s look at the most significant health benefits they offer to dogs.

Turkey Necks For Dog’s Teeth

Chewing on turkey necks can positively affect your dog’s teeth. How is it good for your dog’s dental health? As your pup gnaws on the neck, chewing naturally removes plaque from your dog’s teeth.

Instead of buying dog chews from the store, turkey necks are natural chews that are good for your dog’s mouth.

Good For Dogs With Arthritis

Turkey necks are good for your dog’s joint health. In turkey necks, two trace minerals – glucosamine and chondroitin – are in the cartilage and connective tissue. They are in the most bio-available form and are a fantastic natural remedy for arthritic dogs.

Nutritional Benefits

There are other nutritional benefits of turkey necks for dogs, too! It’s good for your dog’s immune system, especially with a balanced diet. The fat-soluble vitamins are easier for your dog to digest, so that they will boost your dog’s health more than a multivitamin.

Muscle and Energy Benefits

Turkey necks are a fantastic source of B vitamins – especially vitamin B12. This vitamin produces essential proteins and red blood cells your dog needs for enzymes that give them energy and build lean muscles.

They are also a good iron, copper, selenium, and zinc source.

Healthy Skin

The high protein content in turkey necks supports healthy muscle development and can give your dog a shiny coat and healthy skin. Protein is the building blocks of skin, fur, and muscle health.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Turkey Necks

It is not a good idea to cook turkey necks before giving them to your furry best friend. This is because the heat weakens the turkey bones, making them easier to fracture and splinter. Small pieces of bones could then be a choking hazard for dogs.

There are other risks of dogs swallowing small turkey neck splinters. If the bone fragments cut your dog’s stomach, it could cause harmful bacteria to cause an infection in their digestive tracts.

You shouldn’t give your dog smoked, fried, baked, or boiled turkey necks.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Necks

Yes, dogs can eat raw turkey necks. In fact, raw is the best way for dog owners to share this treat with their pets.

If your dog isn’t used to eating a raw diet, watch them closely when introducing raw meat. This is especially true if your pup has health conditions – like kidney or liver problems.

Uncooked meat opens your dog to the risk of developing a foodborne illness or bacterial infection. It’s not likely, but the chance is there. This is why it’s best to get turkey necks from a safe, certified, high-quality farm.

Are Raw Turkey Necks Good For Dogs

Yes, raw turkey necks are perfect for dogs. They have nutrients in them that commercial dog food might not. This is perfect if your pup loves to gnaw and chew on things.

In fact, raw meaty bones offer more bio-available protein to your dog. If you’re considering putting your dog on a raw diet, talk to your dog’s vet first to make sure your dog is a good candidate.

How To Feed Raw Turkey Necks To Dogs

Before you give raw bones to your dog, rinse them off to make sure they don’t have bacteria or viruses from the handling.

Dogs that are used to a raw meat diet will react differently than dogs that don’t usually eat raw dog food. If this is your first time offering raw meat to your dog, watch them and see how they react.

Dog Swallowed Turkey Neck Whole

If your dog swallowed a turkey neck whole, watch them for signs of choking or intestinal obstruction. If your dog acts lethargic or has trouble breathing, call your dog’s veterinarian immediately.

How To Cook a Turkey Neck For Dogs

The best way to cook a turkey neck for dogs is not to cook it. Cooking the turkey neck is not a great option because it weakens the bones, making them prone to splintering.

Basically, cooked turkey neck is not a good treat for dogs. It’s better to give your dog raw or dehydrated turkey necks instead.

Turkey Necks For Dogs

Pet owners here is a quick recap of how turkey necks can be served and whether to add them to your pup’s diet.

Raw – This is the safest way to serve them.
Boiled – This isn’t safe.
Cooked – do not give dogs cooked necks.
Frozen – Frozen raw turkey neck bites are good for smaller dogs.
Dehydrated – This is another safe way to give this treat to dogs.
Freeze Dried – This is as safe as dehydrating.
Smoked – This process weakens bones and isn’t good for dogs.

If your dog is used to raw feeding, raw necks don’t pose as much risk. If your dog isn’t used to eating raw food, introduce raw turkey necks slowly and talk to your vet if your dog has any negative reactions.

How Much Turkey Neck Is Good For Dogs To Eat

Healthy dogs can eat a turkey neck every week if they want to. It’s a great treat full of minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are good for strong teeth and bones.

Since they are high in calories, one neck a week for small dogs and two necks a week for medium or large dogs is appropriate.

Poultry Bones For Dogs

There are other natural animal products that dogs can eat.

Raw poultry necks, like raw chicken necks – are safe for dogs. You can also give your dog dehydrated chicken feet or duck necks.

Final Thoughts

As with any type of new food that you introduce to your dog, always watch them closely the first time they eat it. Only give smaller dogs one neck a week; larger dogs can probably eat two necks a week.

Control how much they eat and only offer it as an occasional treat, not on a regular basis. Even though turkey necks are full of protein and minerals, they are also high in calories, so they could contribute to weight gain.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some more articles about human food and meat dogs can and can’t eat:

Find lots of articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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