6 Reasons Dogs Shouldn't Eat Turkey Bones

You made an amazing turkey dinner, and your dog is wondering, “Izz there enuff turkey for meee?” While it’s natural to want to share a turkey dinner with our furry family members, the veterinary experts at VEG will tell you not to, full stop. 

Turkey cooked with spices, bits of onion and garlic, and fat-laden gravy wreak havoc on a dog’s digestive system. You can read more about why you shouldn’t feed your dog table scraps like a holiday turkey here. Specifically for this blog, we make no bones about it: turkey bones are not for dogs.  

KNOW THE RISKS OF TURKEY BONES FOR DOGS

Sure, dogs love bones, but avoid giving your pooch bones from turkey, which are more brittle and can shatter. Let’s sink our teeth into the six reasons why dogs shouldn’t eat turkey bones. 

1. Dogs can choke on turkey bones.

Your dog is a big fan of gnawing on a tasty bone, but turkey bones easily splinter into sharp pieces when chewed. Yikes! As you can imagine, this poses a significant choking hazard. Additionally, bone splinters may get stuck in your dog’s throat, causing severe discomfort, potential asphyxiation, and more—see below!

2. Turkey bones can cause internal injuries in dogs.

Strong canine jaws and teeth will break the bone into sharp splinters. If your dog gulps those down, it’ll surely do damage along the way.

The sharp edges of turkey bones can cause severe internal injuries. When ingested, these splinters may puncture the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, which could lead to internal bleeding and infection. Left untreated, this can be fatal to your dog.

Signs of internal injury in dogs:

• Abdominal pain or swelling

• Bloody stools or diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting or retching

3. The bones can cause digestive blockages in dogs.

If ingested, bones can get lodged at all sorts of angles. An internal blockage can prevent food and liquid from passing through the digestive tract, leading to severe discomfort and possible dehydration, malnutrition, and intestinal damage. 

Digestive blockages often require surgical intervention. It’s a serious emergency, and the last thing you’d want to happen during mealtime, causing unnecessary pain and anguish for your sweet pup.

4. Turkey bones can perforate a dog’s intestinal tract.

We’ve discussed how sharp fragments of turkey bones can cause lacerations but what’s more, if a piece of bone perforates the gastrointestinal tract, it can lead to peritonitis, a severe infection of your dog’s abdominal cavity, which requires immediate medical attention at VEG.

5. A dog could break its teeth on a turkey bone.

You’ve probably seen your doggo going to town on a bone or chew toy. Pet owners should be aware that gnawing and chewing on turkey bones can seriously damage a dog’s teeth. In fact, a turkey bone is likely to fracture or break teeth. This leads to pain and potential infections. Dental damage requires professional veterinary care to address. 

6. Raw or undercooked turkey bones may cause bacterial illness in your dog.

Just as humans shouldn’t eat undercooked turkey, your dog shouldn’t either. Raw or undercooked turkey bones can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. These bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting. Puppies, elderly dogs, or those with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible.

CAN I GIVE MY DOG A CHICKEN OR PORK BONE? 

Looks like your dog would love a good ol’ pork rib bone leftover from your BBQ. But should your sweet-faced hound have it? Nope, nope, nopity nope. 

As you may have guessed already, for the same reasons a dog shouldn’t have turkey bones, avoid giving your begging buddy pork or chicken bones too. There are much safer alternatives that your doggo will be happy to chomp on. 

YOUR DOG ATE A TURKEY BONE: WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Accidents happen. Trust us: as a 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital, we see it all! If your dog manages to grab hold of a turkey bone, here’s what to do:

Stay calm and assess the situation. Are any bone fragments or pieces lodged in your dog’s throat? If your dog is choking, immediately head to the nearest VEG emergency veterinary hospital. An approximation of how much of the bone your dog has eaten is helpful information to our veterinarian and/or radiographer. 

Call your nearest VEG hospital to explain the situation. We’ll provide guidance on the next steps and whether you need to bring your dog in to be examined.

Monitor your dog closely. Keep a close eye on your furry friend for any signs of distress. Observe their behavior and appetite. Check for pain or discomfort. Keep watch during your dog’s bowel movements for straining, constipation, or diarrhea.

Know when to be concerned. If you see any of these symptoms below, contact VEG immediately. Symptoms to watch for if your dog eats a turkey bone:

• Abdominal pain 

• Changes in stool

• Excessive drooling

• Gagging

• Vomiting

IMPORTANT: Do not try to make your dog vomit. Do not attempt to induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinarian. Inducing vomiting can cause further damage if the bone fragments are sharp.

Prepare for a veterinary visit at VEG. If a member of our VEG staff (aka a VEGgie) advises bringing your dog in, gather any important information related to his overall health, including past medical history and current condition. 

Jot down notes about the turkey-bone chewing or eating incident. If you can remember, include details such as whether the bone was raw or cooked, how much of the bone was consumed if any, symptoms following the incident, and any other important details.

HOW TO PREVENT YOUR DOG FROM EATING A TURKEY BONE 

Your dog looks forward to mealtime just as much as anyone else. Say YES to a few pet-friendly meals or treats, and NO to turkey bones and other, non-pet-friendly foods.

Below, find some general suggestions to keep your dog safe during everyday meals and holiday dinners.

Keep food out of your dog’s reach: Ensure that all food, including turkey bones, stays safely away. Store up on high counters, far back from knocking-over distance; or in secured containers.

Educate household members and guests: Make sure family and friends understand the risks that come with feeding turkey bones to your dog. Refer to this article for the dangers involved in feeding turkey bones.  

Stick to safe snacking: Give your dog safe, pet-appropriate treats to enjoy during holiday meals. If your buddy stays busy with his own treats, he’s less likely to scavenge yours.

People food is off-limits to dogs: Supervise your dog closely during meals and gatherings. If necessary, confine your pet to a safe area where she can't access your food or table scraps.

Make sure your dog has a healthy meal just for them: Chowing down on their regular dog food is perfectly fine, but if you cook them plain turkey (no spices or seasoning) along with some rice, and veggies (think: cooked broccoli, peas, or carrots), you’ll have one happy hound! 

DOG OWNER’S SAFETY PROTOCOL: WHEN IT'S AN EMERGENCY

Proactively protect your dog from the dangers of turkey bones and other hazards. If your dog does eat a turkey bone or is experiencing a different emergency, act quickly and call your local VEG veterinary emergency hospital. Our team will provide prompt necessary vet care to help restore your dog’s health, while you stay with your best bud the entire time.