Prepping turkey during Thanksgiving means reaching into the bird and removing its organs – the giblets. Some people find this part of the process gross, but your dog will be more than happy to save you the trouble and scarf down the giblets as a special Thanksgiving treat.
Still, dogs don’t have the best judgment when it comes to meat (they’ll inhale anything that smells remotely edible), so you may be wondering: can dogs eat turkey giblets? Let’s take a closer look!
What are turkey giblets?
Turkey giblets are the organs of the turkey, including the liver, heart, kidneys, and gizzard. The neck is also sometimes included in this category, although it’s not technically an organ.
They’re often included in the turkey cavity when you purchase a whole bird, although some butchers will sell them separately.
Are turkey giblets safe for dogs?
Yes, turkey giblets are safe for dogs to eat. In fact, they can be quite nutritious! Aside from giving your dog a tasty treat, there are a lot of nutrients packed into these organs:
- Protein: All of the organs included in turkey giblets are high in protein. Protein is an essential nutrient for dogs and helps to support their muscles, skin, and coat.
- Vitamins and minerals: Turkey giblets are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including iron, phosphorus, and zinc.
- Fat: Turkey giblets contain fat, which is an important energy source for dogs. Fat is also necessary for the absorption of certain vitamins and helps to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.
As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons to feed your dog turkey giblets. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before doing so.
How to Feed Turkey Giblets Safely to Dogs
Don’t toss those turkey giblets into their bowl just yet! Make turkey time safe and healthy for your furry friend by following these simple tips:
Skip the neck.
Turkey neck contains bones that could pose a choking hazard or cause digestive problems if not properly chewed. Bones are especially dangerous when cooked because they can splinter and cause internal damage. Instead of giving your dog the turkey neck, use it to make stock for yourself or save it for later.
Cook the giblets.
While a raw diet can be healthy for dogs, it’s still a good idea to cook the turkey giblets before feeding them to your pet. This will help to kill any bacteria that could make your dog sick.
Chop giblets up for small breeds or senior dogs.
If you have a small breed or senior dog, it’s best to chop the giblets up into small pieces before feeding. This will make them easier to chew and digest.
Introduce giblets slowly.
As with any new food, it’s best to introduce turkey giblets slowly. Otherwise, you run the risk of upsetting your dog’s stomach. Start by giving them a small amount, and see how they do before increasing the portion size.
Only give your dog giblets as an occasional treat.
Even though turkey giblets are safe and nutritious for dogs, they shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet. Organ meats are high in fat and cholesterol, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems if consumed in large quantities.
They can also cause diarrhea or an upset stomach if your dog eats too much. For these reasons, it’s best to save turkey giblets for special occasions and keep them as an occasional treat.
Watch out for signs of turkey allergies or intolerance.
As with any food, some dogs may be allergic or intolerant to turkey. Signs of dog allergies include itching, swelling, hives, and difficulty breathing. If your dog has any of these symptoms after eating turkey, call your veterinarian right away.
Intolerance is different from an allergy in that the symptoms are usually gastrointestinal, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach. If your dog experiences any of these symptoms after eating turkey, it may be intolerant to the meat. Try removing the turkey from their diet and see if their symptoms improve.
How to Prepare Turkey Giblets for Dogs
Now that you know how to feed turkey giblets safely to your dog, it’s time to learn how to prepare them. Here are a few different ways to cook turkey giblets for your furry friend:
- Raw: If you’re feeding your dog a raw diet, there’s no need to cook the giblets first. Just chop them up into small pieces and add them to your dog’s food.
- Boiled: Boiling is a quick and easy way to cook turkey giblets for your dog. Just add the giblets to a pot of boiling water and cook for 10-15 minutes. Remove any bones before feeding your dog.
- Steamed: Steaming is another quick and easy way to cook turkey giblets. Just add the giblets to a steamer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes. Remove any bones before feeding your dog.
- Roasted: Roasting is a slightly more complex way to cook turkey giblets, but it’s worth the effort. Just add the giblets to a roasting pan and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes.
- Dehydrated: Dehydrating is a great way to preserve turkey giblets for long-term storage. They also make more fun treats for dogs who like to chew. Just add the giblets to a dehydrator and cook at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-24 hours.
- Sauteed: Sauteeing is a quick and easy way to cook turkey giblets. Just add the giblets to a pan with some olive oil and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Frozen: After cooking, you can also freeze turkey giblets for a cool treat for your dog. They also work great as dental treats.
- Pureed: Pureed turkey giblets are a great way to add extra nutrition to your dog’s diet. Just cook the giblets and puree them in a blender or food processor. You can add the puree to your dog’s food, use it as a topping, or freeze it into cubes for a nice summer treat.
What parts of turkey can dogs eat?
Aside from turkey giblets, turkey meat is also safe for dogs to eat. Turkey meat is high in protein, especially the white portions, such as turkey breast. Turkey breasts are excellent additions to a dog’s diet!
On the other hand, cooked turkey bones can pose a hazard to dogs. Cooked bones become brittle which may cause choking or intestinal blockage. Broken bones can also cause laceration due to their sharp edges.
Final Thoughts: Can dogs eat turkey giblets?
Turkey giblets are safe and nutritious for dogs when fed in moderation. They’re a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and can even help boost your dog’s immune system. Best of all, dogs love them! Just make sure to give them only as an occasional treat and prepare them properly to keep treat time safe.