As you’ve probably noticed, your dog has a pretty strong affinity for food. And if you have a golden retriever, you might wonder: can golden retrievers eat turkey?
In this article we’ll be looking at what makes turkey an okay snack for dogs and some things to keep in mind when feeding it to them.
Is turkey safe for golden retrievers?
Your dog has a love-hate relationship with the holidays—and you do, too. On one hand, they love all the attention and food (who doesn’t?). On the other hand, they hate everyone is trying to use them as a seat cushion. But what about food that’s actually for you? Can you share your turkey with your golden retriever?
The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind when feeding your dog turkey from the table. Turkey itself is safe for dogs to eat, as long as you provide lean, white, unseasoned and boneless turkey meat to your golden retriever.
In fact, it’s an excellent source of protein; just be sure to remove all the fat and skin. Keep in mind that any change in diet can give your dog digestive issues or diarrhea, so feed them small amounts until you see how their stomach reacts.
If you’re wondering about whether your golden retriever can eat leftover gravy or stuffing from the table, the answer is no! Those foods can contain ingredients like onions, garlic and other spices that are toxic for dogs. They also have high levels of salt which can lead to health problems if consumed in large quantities.
Benefits of turkey in golden retrievers
Protein-packed: One of the biggest problems in dogs is their inability to get enough protein. Turkey provides a leaner form of protein than chicken, which can be more difficult for dogs to digest. That means your dog will have an easier time building lean muscle mass while getting less fat.
Perfect weight: Turkey is an excellent source of animal protein with lower fat content. That makes it ideal for dogs, who need to maintain a healthy weight without skimping on the protein they need for energy and muscle growth.
Vitamin B: Turkey contains lots of vitamin B, which is also known as riboflavin. This essential nutrient helps your dog’s body convert food into energy it can use, and it’s also important for their skin, nerves, eyes and hair. Vitamin B is also great for healthy digestion and strong teeth and bones.
Treats arthritis: Turkey contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which help fight arthritis by lubricating the joints and helping to keep bones strong.
Tastes great: Some dogs just don’t go for certain foods, but turkey is one that literally no dog can resist—and that’s because it tastes so good!
Do all golden retrievers like turkey?
Unfortunately, no, your golden retrievers may not like turkey.
Golden retrievers have food preferences and turkey may not be on your golden retriever’s “like” list.
Remember, there are different types of turkey as well. Wild turkeys differ from farm-raised turkeys. Your golden retriever will eat different parts of the turkey: the legs, wings, breasts, etc.
However, there is a way to help your golden retriever decide if they like turkey or not.
First, introduce just a small piece of turkey to your dog and make sure they don’t have an allergic reaction to it. Second, give them a bit at a time until they can handle an entire serving of turkey. If you see they are enjoying the taste of turkey and there is no allergic reaction, then proceed with giving them more over longer periods of time.
Always speak with your veterinarian before introducing a new food to your golden retriever’s food list.
Can my golden retrievers have turkey every day?
There’s no rule stating how often you can feed your golden retrievers turkey. But we recommend you vary the types of treats you give them to avoid nutritional problems, and so that they don’t get bored.
Turkey is a great treat for dogs as long as it’s given in moderation. It’s an excellent source of protein and amino acids, and it also contains selenium and B6 vitamins. However, too much turkey can lead to weight gain and gastrointestinal issues.
If you’re concerned about the nutritional value of your dog’s diet, talk to your vet about supplements or switching up the varieties of food you give your dog.
When is turkey bad for golden retrievers?
Turkey is generally a safe treat to give your golden retriever—it’s full of protein and nutrients, and your dog probably loves the taste.
But there are some cases where turkey can be bad for your golden retriever:
If your dog is allergic to it–just like with people, some dogs are allergic to turkey. If you’ve noticed that your dog gets itchy skin or has trouble breathing after eating turkey, then you should avoid serving it.
Raw turkey–some dogs might experience diarrhea or other digestive issues if they eat raw turkey. It’s safer for your golden to eat cooked meat. Seasoned with harmful ingredients–If the turkey you’re giving your retriever has been seasoned with garlic or onion powder, stop feeding it immediately. These ingredients are toxic for dogs! Turkey bones–Raw or cooked bones can splinter and cause serious internal damage when swallowed.
Turkey bones: Turkey bones can splinter and cause internal damage to your pup if he or she ingests them, so be sure to remove bones from your cooked turkey before you feed it to Fido.
Turkey with preservatives added–Some canned turkeys have preservatives added to make them last longer on store shelves, but those preservatives aren’t always good for dogs. The best way to make sure that the food you’re feeding your retriever is safe is to make sure it hasn’t been processed in any way.
How should you serve your golden retriever turkey?
We love giving our dogs a little of turkey as a treat. It’s tasty, fun, and provides some decent nutrition. But before you give your dog some turkey, there are a few things you should know.
First off, don’t give your dog any turkey that has bones or skin. Bones can be dangerous for dogs because they can splinter and cause serious harm to your pet’s digestive tract. Skin also isn’t good for them because it is high in fat, which will have an adverse effect on your pet’s health.
The best part of the turkey to give your dog is the breast meat, which is leaner than other parts of the bird and contains plenty of protein. Just remember that any new food should be introduced into your dog’s diet slowly so that you can monitor their reaction to it and ensure that it agrees with their system.
If you want to go all out when giving your dog turkey, try adding plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, cooked vegetables like carrots or broccoli, or mixing with their regular food! You can even sprinkle a vitamin supplement over the top to add an extra boost of nutrients!
How much turkey can my golden retriever eat?
It’s hard to know how much turkey your dog can eat without knowing more specifics about your canine’s size, weight and general health.
You want to feed your pup only 10% of their total body weight in turkey. For a typical 25 lb. dog, that would be about 40 grams of white meat turkey or 30 grams of dark meat turkey, and even those amounts should be considered treats.
It’s safest to avoid feeding them any bones, especially cooked ones that are more likely to splinter.
What to do if your golden retrievers eat too much turkey?
During Thanksgiving with family and friends, most of us often forget that our dog has been sitting patiently under the table waiting for crumbs. Or maybe you were so preoccupied with the kids that someone slipped your dog a piece of turkey.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to steal human foods, especially if you have picky eaters. Unfortunately, this can lead to an emergency visit to the veterinarian for your dog.
Dogs who ingest large amounts of fatty foods like turkey or chicken skin can develop severe inflammation of their pancreas called pancreatitis. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and even death in some cases. So what should you do if your dog gets into some extra turkey?
First, get any remaining turkey away from your dog. If you can identify where the turkey came from, don’t let them have any more (for example, if a guest gave it to them). If it was somewhere in the kitchen or dining room and your guests are still there, make sure they don’t feed more meat to your furry friend.
Once you’ve gotten all the turkey away from your dog, watch him closely for any signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort.
If you notice any abnormalities in your dog’s behavior or health after eating turkey, contact your vet as soon as possible
Can golden retrievers eat turkey bones?
The short answer is no. While your dog might love them, and even beg for them when you’re at the table, turkey bones can lead to some serious complications for your dog. Some of these issues include:
- Injury to the mouth and throat
- Choking or throat obstruction
- Intestinal blockage
- Piercing of the stomach or intestinal lining
- Constipation or painful bowel movements
- Rectal bleeding
Can golden retrievers eat turkey skin?
Unfortunately, the answer is no! Turkey skin is high in fat and can cause gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis in dogs. Instead of feeding him the skin, why not share some other parts of your meal with him? As long as it’s plain (no seasonings or extra butter), there are plenty of healthy foods you can share with your pup. Here are some ideas:
- Mashed potatoes without butter or milk
- Plain green beans
- Plain broccoli
- Plain carrots
Find out if your golden retrievers can eat other treats
- Can golden retrievers eat bananas
- Can golden retrievers eat strawberries
- Can golden retrievers eat oranges
- Can golden retrievers eat cheese
- Can golden retrievers eat eggs
- Can golden retrievers eat pineapple
- Can golden retrievers eat raw meat
- Can golden retrievers eat apples
- Can golden retrievers eat blueberries
- Can golden retrievers eat watermelon
- Can golden retrievers eat grapes
- Can golden retrievers eat carrots
- Can golden retrievers eat chocolate
- Can golden retrievers eat almonds
- Can golden retrievers eat chicken
So, can golden retrievers eat turkey?
Yes, golden retrievers can eat lean, white, unseasoned turkey in moderation. Turkey is rich in protein and provides a healthy source of vitamin B6 and niacin, making it an excellent treat specially your golden retriever has an allergy to chicken or beef.
However, it is important that you do not feed your dog a whole turkey (bones and all) as the bones may splinter and create a choking hazard, or harm the digestive tract.