Are you for real? That will either choke the life out of them or do other nasty stuff you don’t want to think about. Please do not feed your pets turkey bones – out of the question.
Why Turkey Bones Are Dangerous for Dogs
Here’s why turkey bones are a nightmare for your dogs:
- It chokes and punctures: It doesn’t matter if you cook it or not, the danger is intact. Turkey bones are prone to splintering into sharp fragments that can do unimaginable things to your pet. First off, it could get stuck in their throat and choke them as they try to swallow. Secondly, it can tear the delicate tissues of their esophagus, stomach, and intestines, resulting in painful internal injuries that can become life-threatening.
- It blocks their intestines: Turkey bones are rigid and this makes them difficult for your dogs to swallow. Now, if your dog munches on and tries to swallow a larger piece, it can completely block their intestines and prevent the passage of food and fluids. When this happens, your dog will be having spells of vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and potential ruptures in their intestinal wells if it goes unchecked.
- It damages their teeth: If you thought giving your dogs turkey bones to munch on would make their bones stronger, it’s time to have a rethink. On the contrary, turkey bones can easily break your dog’s teeth resulting in painful chips, cracks, or in extreme cases, tooth loss.
- Bacterial contamination: Raw turkey bones are the home of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause food poisoning and other illnesses in your dogs if they ingest them. Granted, cooking may reduce these microbes, but take it from me, they’re still gonna be there.
What to do if your dog has eaten turkey bones?
Now, don’t panic – that will just make things worse. You have to be brave for your pooch if they’ve eaten turkey bones and do the following:
- Remove any remaining bones: Check your dog’s mouth and get rid of any visible bone fragments that you find there. But if you see any bone that’s either lodged or stuck, let it be because forcing it out could cause more injuries.
- Observe them: Watch for signs like excessive drooling, gagging, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, or abdominal discomfort. If you spot any, it may indicate that a bone fragment has blocked the digestive tract or caused internal bleeding.
- Provide small meals: If your dog is still acting normally, don’t let your guard down. Offer them small amounts of regular food or easily digestible options like boiled chicken. This will help to move the bone fragments through the digestive system.
- Check their stool: When your dog pops, check their excreta for blood or bone fragments
- Give your vet a ring: Don’t hesitate to call your vet if you notice any symptoms or take your pets to the clinic. They will diagnose your dog’s situation and decide on the appropriate treatment for them.
Safe alternatives to turkey bones for my dogs?
Why get stuck on turkey bones when there are safer treats to give your dogs? Here are some great alternatives to turkey bones with a few instructions on how to prepare them:
- Turkey meat: Aside from the delicious taste this meat has, it packs a ton of protein for your pet. To prepare it properly, cook the meat well and ensure it’s free of bones, skin, and seasonings.
- Turkey broth: Give your dog unsalted and unseasoned turkey broth. But before you serve, skim off any fat and let it cool. You can either serve it to them as a treat or add it to their regular meal
- Bully sticks: This chew toy is long-lasting and digestible
- Antlers/horns: helps to clean your dog’s teeth
- Rubber chew toys: You can stuff it with treats
- Dental chews: This treat is designed to improve your dog’s dental health.
Conclusion
To wrap up, turkey bones shouldn’t go anywhere near your dog’s feeding plate. They come with a lot of risks from choking and internal injuries to bacterial contamination. They’re so dangerous that even cooking them won’t do much in the way of minimizing these risks. Fortunately, there are so many other alternative treats you can give them.
And if your dog somehow manages to ingest a turkey bone, monitor them and call your vet if you notice any symptom. Until next time!
Read More: Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bacon? A Safe Treat Guide for Dog Owners
