What in the world are you going to do with that turkey neck? You can always toss it in a soup or use it for stock, it’s a tasty option. What about Fido? Your dog is probably salivating at the thought of gnawing on a turkey neck. But can dogs eat turkey necks? 

Is tossing a turkey neck to your pooch a good idea, or should it just end up in the trash? There can be some risks with turkey necks, primarily small bits of bone. On the flip side, there can also be a ton of health benefits. So, before you hand over or throw away a turkey neck, here’s what dog owners should know.

Should Your Dog Eat Turkey Necks?

Just like turkey is a healthy option for you, the same flavor meat has benefits for your pooch. Turkey necks are absolutely jam-packed with protein. Everything from muscle growth and maintenance, immune function, skin and coat health, to overall well-being can be supported by the nutrients in turkey necks.

Used as part of a balanced diet, they offer a meaty snack most dogs will find tough to resist. Turkey necks consist of roughly 55% meat and 45% bone, delivering high levels of essential vitamins and minerals that include:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Vitamin B12 and other B vitamins
• Phosphorous
• Selenium
• Magnesium

Each of these vital nutrients can help your furry best friend stay healthy and active.

Potential Benefits of Turkey Necks for Dogs

Don’t expect miracles after your dog chows down on a turkey neck. If your elderly pooch is already suffering from arthritis, a turkey neck or 10 isn’t going to cure the joint discomfort. However, the treat may provide a tiny bit of relief. 

With that being said, here are a few reasons why you may want to treat your fur baby to an occasional turkey neck.

Boost Joint Health

Turkey necks are an excellent treat for pet parents hoping to maintain their dogs’ bone, joint, and muscle health. Alongside calcium, phosphorus, and other bone-supporting minerals, turkey necks deliver loads of nutrients to improve mobility.

Even though turkey necks contain some joint-supporting compounds used in nutrition-based arthritis treatments, the amount is fairly minimal. Like we mentioned earlier, the amount isn’t going to be enough to make much of a difference if your pup is already suffering from arthritis.

Improve Oral Health

Sorry, a turkey neck isn’t going to make your dog’s breath smell like roses. What they do make is excellent dog chews to boost oral health. The turkey bones are light and pliable. This reduces most of the risk of your dog cracking a tooth compared to gnawing on a denser leg bone. 

Your dog’s teeth easily sink into the bone. Even puppies usually don’t have a problem crushing the bones in a turkey neck up and possibly taking advantage of the scraping action to remove plaque and tartar.

Turkey Necks Also Provide Enrichment for Your Dog

Turkey necks also provide enrichment to satisfy your dog’s instincts. They’re excellent chews to keep your dog mentally focused, and the effort to hold down the neck and gnaw on it satisfies their need to chew. Just think, a turkey neck may be the solution to your pooch’s fondness for chewing on your shoes.

Giving Your Dog a Turkey Neck Can Have Risks

Turkey necks have plenty of benefits, but the tasty treats can also have a few downsides for dogs and possibly their owners. The primary drawback is the bone content. Most dogs won’t have any problems eating an occasional turkey neck, but not all pooches can cope with the treats in their diet. Anytime you give a dog a bone like a turkey neck, there’s always some risk involved.

The high bone content in turkey necks can be problematic for dogs that like to swallow their food quickly without a lot of chewing. The bones are soft and unlikely to crack and splinter when given raw, but if your dog gulps down an oversized bite, it can become a choking hazard.

If your dog tends to gulp their food whole, there’s also a chance it could get lodged in the esophagus. If it gets stuck here, your dog won’t be able to eat properly, and they will regurgitate their food. Yep, this can be messy, so think about your pup’s eating habits before handing over a turkey neck.

Overall, turkey necks are a great occasional treat for most dogs. However, there can be risks. Before treating your pooch to a great-tasting turkey neck, it’s not a bad idea to check with your vet. 

Images from: Deposit Photos