Can Cats Eat Turkey? Yes, Plain, Cooked and Boneless

Why plain turkey suits cats

Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that depend on nutrients found only in animal products, with a natural diet high in protein, moderate in fat and low in carbohydrate. Plain turkey breast fits that well, which is why turkey is a common ingredient in commercial cat foods.

That does not make turkey a complete meal. On its own it lacks the balance of calcium, taurine, vitamins and fatty acids a cat needs every day, so it stays a treat alongside a complete cat food, not a replacement for one.

Bones, skin, raw turkey and seasonings

Never give a cat turkey bones. The ASPCA warns that poultry bones are a choking hazard, and cooked bones splinter into sharp pieces that can injure the mouth or gut. Raw or undercooked turkey can carry salmonella, so only share meat that is fully cooked.

Skin and fat are rich enough to cause vomiting and diarrhea. Seasonings are the bigger danger: the ASPCA notes onion and garlic appear in many holiday dishes and are toxic to pets, and cats are more sensitive to them than dogs. Deli turkey and smoked turkey are salty and often seasoned, so skip them.

Thanksgiving with a cat in the house

Thanksgiving is when most turkey problems happen. Keep the carcass, string, foil and bones in a lidded trash can, and take the trash out promptly, since the ASPCA warns discarded food is a common source of trouble. Turkey string and the pop-up timer can be swallowed by a cat drawn to the smell.

Ask guests not to slip food to the cat, and keep stuffing, gravy, buttery sides and desserts out of reach. If you want the cat to join in, set aside a few pieces of plain white meat before the bird is seasoned or carved at the table, and serve them in the cat's own bowl.

How much turkey a cat can have

Cornell advises keeping treats to no more than 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories. Tufts University's Petfoodology team notes a 10 lb cat needs about 300 calories a day and lists a tablespoon of diced, plain chicken or turkey breast as about 15 calories.

For an average 8 to 12 lb adult cat, one to two tablespoons of diced plain breast in a day is plenty, less for a smaller cat. Cut it into small pieces or shreds, let it cool, and offer it as a treat or a topper over the usual food.

Many cats do better with small, slow portions, and a puzzle feeder or a slow feeder bowl helps with both.

Kittens, seniors and cats on special diets

Kittens can have a few shreds of plain cooked turkey once they are eating solid food, but most of their calories must come from a kitten food balanced for growth. Shred it finely so it is easy to chew and swallow.

Cats with kidney disease, food allergies, a history of pancreatitis or a prescription diet should only have turkey if their vet agrees, since extra protein or fat can work against those diets. Senior cats often enjoy soft, shredded turkey, which can tempt a fussy eater, but a cat that has stopped eating needs a vet, not just a tastier food.

Signs it disagreed with them, and when to call a vet

Rich or fatty turkey can cause vomiting or diarrhea within a few hours to a day, which should settle once the extras stop. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, if your cat stops eating, hides or seems lethargic.

Gagging, drooling, retching or pawing at the mouth after getting into turkey can mean a bone or string is stuck; get your cat seen the same day. If your cat ate stuffing, gravy or anything with onion or garlic, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435; a consultation fee may apply. Weakness, pale gums or orange-red urine can follow days later.

Other proteins to share

Plain cooked chicken breast, a little plain cooked white fish with no bones, and a small piece of hard-boiled egg are other cat-friendly options, all kept small. Freeze-dried single-ingredient meat treats are a convenient way to give a cat the same kind of reward year-round. Introduce one new food at a time so any upset is easy to trace.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.