Well, I’m not exactly a fan of feeding your dog bacons of any sort, even if it’s one as delicious as turkey bacon. However, as long as you can feed it to them plain, cooked, and in moderate amounts, it’s all good.
How Turkey Bacon is Made?
For those who haven’t heard of this treat, turkey bacon is made from turkey flesh that has been cured, smoked, and cut into strips, giving it an uncanny resemblance to traditional bacon. But the interesting thing about this treat is it’s ideal for those who want their dogs to feed on leaner meat.
Its nutritional content
Turkey bacon has its fair share of nutrients although they may vary based on how you prepared them. Let’s take a look at what it contains compared to pork bacon:
Calories: Well, like with any other meal, the less fat there is, the fewer calories it will have. Now, when it comes to this bacon, turkey has fewer calories than pork simply because it has less fat.
Protein: This is a no-brainer. I mean we’re talking about animal flesh so protein is a given, although it does pack as much as pork bacon per serving.
Fat: Turkey bacon is leaner meat, so by right, it has less fat than pork bacon and this makes it the perfect meat for your dogs if you’re worried about their weight.
Is turkey bacon good for my dog?
Well, it’s not all that, to be honest, and that is why you shouldn’t make them a regular part of your pet’s diet. If you’re wondering why I said so, you should take a look at the risks these juicy-looking treats come with.
What are the risks of turkey bacon for my dog?
- It’s high in sodium: Just like any cured meat, turkey bacon packs a punch of sodium that can seriously mess up your pet. We’re talking episodes of dehydration and salt poisoning to name a few.
- It may have additives and preservatives: If you’re buying turkey bacon products from a store, best believe it has additives, preservatives, and flavorings that may be harmful to your dogs.
- It’s highly processed: As a processed meat, turkey bacon has been treated with certain things that make me cringe at the thought of feeding them to your dogs.
When is turkey bacon bad for my dog?
Do you know when turkey bacon is at its worst for your pets? Then read this.
- If the meat is raw or undercooked: When turkey bacon is raw or undercooked, it will be abundant with bacteria such as Salmonella or Listeria. These nasty microbes are bad news because they will cause food poisoning and other serious illnesses in your pets. This is why you can’t afford to not cook your meat properly before feeding it to your dogs.
- If your dog has certain health conditions or sensitivities: If your dog is either suffering from or they’re highly prone to pancreatitis, kidney or liver disease, or they have certain allergies, turkey bacon is literally the worst treat you can give to them.
How to prepare and serve turkey bacon to your dog
There are a couple of ways I recommend if you want to cook turkey bacon for your pooch:
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Place the plain, unseasoned turkey bacon strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Let it bake for 10-15 minutes or until it’s crispy and thoroughly cooked
- Let the bacon cool completely before breaking it into small pieces or crumbling it over your dog’s regular food.
Suggested portion per treat: 1-2 pieces for small dogs, 3-4 pieces for medium dogs, and 5-6 pieces for large dogs.
Grilling
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat
- Place the plain turkey bacon strips directly on the grill grates
- Let it grill for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they’re fully cooked and crispy
- Allow the bacon to cool completely before breaking it into small pieces for your dog.
Suggested portion per treat: 1-2 pieces for small dogs, 3-4 pieces for medium dogs, and 5-6 pieces for large dogs.
Alternatives to turkey bacon for your dog?
If I were you, I wouldn’t bother with this turkey bacon. It seems too problematic, I’d rather go for healthier alternatives like:
- Cooked, unseasoned chicken breast
- Cooked, unseasoned salmon or other fish (be mindful of bones)
- Dehydrated meat
What to do if my dog eats raw or seasoned turkey bacon?
Despite how careful you may be, accidents may still happen and you have to be ready to sweep into action when it does. So, here’s a few things you can do if your dog accidentally consumes raw or seasoned turkey bacon:
- Check for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain
- If you notice any, give your vet a ring and be ready to reel out the details – type and quantity of the bacon consumed as well as the symptoms they’re displaying
- If you can’t reach your vet or you don’t have one on speed dial, call a pet poison control hotline for immediate assistance. You can either contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline: at (855) 764-7661.
FAQs
Can My Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Bacon?
Don’t even think about it – that’s an invitation to food poisoning and very serious illnesses.
Can My Dogs Eat Cooked Turkey Bacon?
Yes, they can as long as you feed them in moderate amounts and as an occasional treat.
Conclusion
To wrap this up, you should only feed your dogs plain, cooked turkey bacon on rare occasions. And despite the fact that it has less fat and calories than pork bacon, it still comes with a truckload of risks, so go easy on them. One more thing – if your dog hasn’t had this treat before, consult your vet before introducing it to their diet.
Read More: Can Dogs Eat Raw Bacon?
