Can dogs eat turkey?

White breast meat is high in protein and low in fat. A few thumbnail-sized pieces, roughly 20 to 30 g (about 1 oz) for a medium dog, is a sensible portion alongside normal meals. Dark leg meat is fattier but still acceptable in smaller amounts if it is plain.

Ground turkey cooked without oil or seasoning also works well as a food topper.

Cooked turkey bones splinter just like chicken bones, and the neck and wing tips are easy for a dog to snatch. The skin holds most of the fat, often mixed with butter and herb rubs containing garlic. Stuffing usually contains onion, and gravy made from pan drippings is salty and fatty.

Watch for the trussing string, elastic netting, and the plastic pop-up timer. Soaked in meat juices, these smell irresistible, and string in particular can bunch up the intestines as it passes through, which needs surgery.

Carve in the kitchen with the door closed and put the carcass and string straight into a sealed outdoor bin. Ask guests not to feed scraps under the table, and prepare a small plate of plain breast for your dog in advance so everyone knows what is allowed.

Cooked turkey keeps in the fridge for three to four days. Pull plain breast meat into 30 g (1 oz) portions, freeze them in a tray, and thaw one at a time as a meal topper. Throw away any meat that sat on the table for more than two hours, and reduce your dog's main meal a little on days you add turkey.