Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones? No — Cooked Bones Splinter
No, dogs should not eat turkey bones. Cooked poultry bones are light and brittle, and when a dog chews them they splinter into sharp shards. The AKC warns those fragments can cause choking, cut the mouth and throat, and puncture or block the stomach and intestines, and its human-foods guide says never to give a dog cooked poultry bones. Plain, boneless, skinless turkey meat is the safe way to share the bird.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read4 sources
Why turkey bones are dangerous
Turkey bones, especially the long leg and wing bones, are hollow and thin-walled. Cooking dries them out and makes them brittle, so instead of being ground down they break into sharp, needle-like pieces. The AKC explains that cooked bones splinter into shards that can damage the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines.
Splinters are not the only problem. A chunk of bone can lodge in the throat and cause choking, sit in the stomach, or travel on and block the intestines. VCA notes that bones can fracture teeth and cause obstructions in the gut. Fragments can also collect in the colon and cause painful constipation.
If your dog ate a turkey bone: what to do now
Stay calm, take away the carcass and any scraps, and check whether your dog is choking, pawing at the mouth or struggling to breathe; that is an emergency and needs the nearest open vet now. If your dog seems comfortable, note roughly what was eaten and when, then call your vet for advice.
Do not try to make your dog vomit, because sharp fragments can do more damage coming back up. Do not give bread, oil or laxatives without your vet's say-so. Your vet may want to examine your dog or take an X-ray, and will tell you which signs to watch for over the next few days.
Signs a bone is causing trouble, and their timing
Watch over the next one to three days for vomiting, retching, drooling, loss of appetite, a tender or swollen belly, lethargy, straining to pass stool, constipation, or blood in the stool or vomit. The AKC notes bone fragments in the colon can look like constipation with pain. Some dogs hunch or will not lie down.
Repeated vomiting, a painful belly, black or bloody stool, a dog that refuses food or seems flat, or any trouble breathing means a vet visit the same day, or the emergency clinic if your vet is closed. The AKC warns that intestinal blockages can become fatal quickly, so do not wait.
Thanksgiving: keeping the holiday bird safe
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for vet emergencies, and turkey carcasses are a big reason. Carve the bird away from the edge of the counter, put the carcass and bones straight into a lidded trash can or take them outside, and do not leave a plate of drumsticks on the coffee table during the game.
Tell guests, especially children, not to slip your dog scraps under the table. VCA warns that fatty foods like turkey skin can trigger pancreatitis, and the AKC lists stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and dishes with onion or garlic among foods to keep away from dogs. Give your dog its own treat in a quiet room.
Puppies, raw bones and safer chews
Puppies chew constantly and swallow quickly, and their smaller gut is easier to block, so keep poultry bones of any kind well away from them. Small breeds face the same risk. A bone that a Labrador might pass can cause a serious problem for a Chihuahua.
Raw bones are less brittle than cooked ones, but the ASPCA warns that bones of any kind can injure or obstruct the digestive tract, and many vets advise against them altogether. If your dog loves to chew, choose a chew made for dogs, sized for your dog, and supervise while it chews.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
My dog ate a turkey bone and seems fine. What should I do?
Call your vet for advice, then watch closely for one to three days for vomiting, belly pain, straining, not eating or blood in the stool. Many dogs pass small pieces, but problems can take time to show.
Can dogs eat raw turkey bones?
Raw bones are less likely to splinter than cooked ones, but they can still break teeth, cause choking or block the gut, and raw poultry can carry bacteria. Many vets recommend avoiding bones entirely.
Can dogs eat turkey necks?
Cooked turkey necks contain splintering bones and should not be given. Raw necks are sometimes fed, but they carry the same choking, blockage and bacteria risks as other raw bones. Ask your vet before offering one.
Should I give my dog bread after eating a bone?
Do not give bread or anything else without asking your vet first. It is a common home remedy, but it is not right for every dog or every bone, and your vet can advise based on what was eaten.
Can dogs eat turkey skin?
It is best not to. Turkey skin is very fatty and is often seasoned with butter, garlic or onion. VCA warns that fatty foods like turkey skin can trigger pancreatitis, so share only plain, skinless meat.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
