Can dogs eat turkey?
Yes, a little plain cooked turkey meat is safe for most dogs. Remove the skin, excess fat and all bones first. Turkey cooked with seasoning, onion or garlic, and onion gravy or stuffing, are not for dogs.
Updated:
Why
Turkey isn't toxic, but how it is cooked matters. Skin and fat are rich and can cause pancreatitis, while extra seasonings can irritate a dog's stomach. Onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs. Cooked poultry bones are brittle and can splinter. White meat is leaner than dark meat.
What to do
If your dog ate turkey skin, fatty scraps or seasoned meat, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea or belly pain over the next few days and call your vet if they appear. If it ate bones or food with onion or garlic, call your vet straight away.
How to give it
Plain cooked turkey meat, ideally white meat, with no skin, excess fat or bones, no seasoning; a small amount.
Questions and answers
Can I give my dog leftovers from a holiday turkey?
Only plain meat without skin or bones. Keep stuffing and onion-based gravy away from your dog.
Related foods
All foods: What can dogs eat?Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Turkey? — American Kennel Club, Anna Burke (updated 2025-11-10)
- Which Human Foods Can Dogs Eat and Which Are Dangerous? — American Kennel Club (Updated Oct 21, 2026)
- Christmas dangers for dogs — Blue Cross (2022-11-22)
- Christmas foods – what not to give dogs at Christmas — The Royal Kennel Club (no date; ©2026)
- Dog has half of his intestines removed after swallowing deadly corn on the cob — PDSA (26 August 2016)
- Table Food Dogs Should Not Eat — Pet Poison Helpline (modified 2026-05-27)
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic dog: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.