Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?

There is a long-lived stereotype of dogs and their bones. From songs to sayings, bones have always been an iconic treat for dogs to chew on. Many cartoon depictions show dogs with a bone sitting in their bowl.

However, not all bones are created equal. Many bones are quite dangerous for your pup to consume. It is good to know what is safe to give to your dog when it comes to bones.

While turkey meat is healthy and beneficial for dogs to eat, turkey bones are not typically safe for your dog to chew on.

They can cause issues that are detrimental to your pup’s health. You can learn here why it is safe to feed turkey meat to your dog: whatthepup.spotandtango.com/can-dogs-eat-turkey/

Nonetheless, bones are not always ideal for dogs. Check out how to prepare turkey bones and make them safe for your pup.

Cooked Turkey Bones

Cooked turkey bones are not safe for your dog to consume. There is never an occasion when you should feed cooked bones, including cooked turkey bones, to your pup.

Cooking bones diminishes their structural integrity and causes them to become very brittle. This makes them easy to snap and break, causing small or large shards that can devastate your dog’s insides.

When your dog chews on cooked bones, they can break their teeth and cut their lips, gums, tongue, and the roof of their mouth. If the bone is too small, which is likely with turkey bones, it can easily get lodged in your pup’s throat and cause them to choke.

Broken shards of the cooked bones that are swallowed can lacerate your dog’s esophagus, stomach, intestines, and rectum. This can cause internal bleeding, which can cause severe health issues for your pup.

The cooked bones and shards can also get stuck in your dog’s stomach and intestines, causing intestinal blockages, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is best to always avoid feeding cooked bones, including cooked turkey bones, to your pup. If your dog has eaten cooked turkey bones, contact your vet immediately to figure out the best steps.

Raw Turkey Bones

While cooked turkey bones are always a no go for dogs to eat, raw turkey bones are not necessarily bad. Raw bones are easier for your dog to digest and do not break in the way that cooked bones do.

Raw turkey necks can make for a healthy treat for your pup to consume. If you are going to provide your dog with raw turkey bones, always supervise while they chew on the bones. While raw bones do not pose as great a threat, they can still cause problems if your dog eats them too fast.

Try not to feed your dog any raw turkey bones that they could easily swallow whole, as these bones could get stuck in your pup’s esophagus and cause them to choke. If your dog is not used to a raw diet, you should check with your vet before feeding them raw meat.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Cooked Turkey Bones

If your dog gets a hold of cooked turkey bones, contact your vet immediately. While your dog may seem fine, it is important to talk to your vet so they can assess the next necessary steps to take.

Depending on what was consumed, your vet may recommend bringing your pup in for an x-ray. The x-ray will allow your dog’s vet to see if the bone is lodged within the digestive tract and if surgery is needed.

You will need to monitor your dog for symptoms of blockages until the bone has passed. If your dog shows any signs of becoming ill, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, you should bring them to the vet as soon as possible.

Other Bones

There are a variety of other raw bones that you can allow your dog to chew on as a treat. Beef bones are an excellent source of nutrients and a fantastic treat for pups to munch on.

Beef knuckles and joints, femurs, and beef bones that contain marrow are all great choices when selecting a bone treat for your dog. Pork bones also make wonderful treats for dogs.

Try to stay away from smaller bones, like rib bones or raw chicken bones. These bones can get wedged in your dog’s throat and pose a choking hazard if swallowed whole.

Remember, if you decide to give your pup a bone as a treat, it should always be raw. Raw bones are safe for your dog to chew on and even promote healthy teeth and gums.

Cooked bones are never safe to give to your dog. They are brittle and snap easily, causing shards that can tear at your dog’s insides. If you suspect your dog has eaten cooked bones, you should always contact your vet and monitor them for signs of blockages or illness.