Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?

Cooking dries out a bone and makes it brittle. Instead of crushing into blunt pieces, a cooked poultry bone tends to snap into shards with sharp edges. Turkey bones are large and dense, so they can also form pieces big enough to lodge in the throat or the intestines.

Dogs swallow quickly and rarely chew bones thoroughly, especially when a stolen piece of meat is on the line. A dog that looks fine for the first hour can still have a fragment working its way through the digestive tract.

Bone fragments can cause problems at several points along the way. Where the problem happens depends on the size and shape of the piece and the size of the dog.

• Choking: a piece stuck at the back of the throat, which is an emergency.
• Mouth and throat injuries: cuts to the gums, tongue, or throat from sharp edges.
• Esophageal or stomach obstruction: a large piece that cannot pass.
• Intestinal blockage: a fragment that lodges further down, often causing vomiting and a painful belly.
• Perforation: a sharp piece that punctures the stomach or intestine, which is a life-threatening emergency.
• Constipation or blood in the stool: small pieces can pack together and make passing stool painful.

Stay calm and take away anything left so the dog cannot eat more. Work out roughly how much was eaten, what size the pieces were, and when it happened. If you have the leftover bone, note its size.

Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic and describe the situation, including your dog's weight and breed. Your vet will tell you whether to bring the dog in for an examination or an X-ray, or whether careful monitoring at home is reasonable. Do not wait for symptoms, because some serious problems take a day or more to show.

Do not make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. A sharp bone can cause more harm on the way back up. You may also hear advice about feeding bread or other soft food to cushion a bone. Ask your vet before trying this, because it is not right for every dog or every situation.

Note: If your dog is choking, pawing at the mouth, gagging repeatedly, or struggling to breathe, go to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Keep a close eye on your dog for at least several days after a bone has been swallowed. Contact your veterinarian promptly if you see any of the following.

• Repeated vomiting or retching.
• Drooling, gulping, or trouble swallowing.
• Loss of appetite or refusing food.
• A tense, painful, or swollen belly, or a hunched posture.
• Straining to pass stool, or no stool at all.
• Blood in the stool or black, tarry stool.
• Lethargy, whining, or hiding.

You may see raw bones recommended as chews. Raw bones are softer than cooked ones, but they still carry risks, including broken teeth, blockages, and bacteria such as Salmonella that can affect both the dog and the people handling the bone. Opinions differ, and the safest course is to discuss it with your veterinarian rather than assuming raw is safe.

Rather than bones, choose a chew designed for dogs and matched to your dog's size and chewing style, and supervise it. A chew that is too small can be swallowed whole, and one that is too hard can crack teeth. A rule of thumb is that you should be able to dent the chew slightly with a fingernail. Replace chews as they wear down.

Most turkey-bone emergencies happen after the meal, not during it. Dogs go through the bin, steal a plate left on the coffee table, or are fed scraps by well-meaning guests. A few habits make a big difference.

1. Take the carcass and bones straight out of the house or into a sealed, dog-proof container.
2. Use a bin with a locking lid, or keep it behind a closed door or a high shelf.
3. Clear plates and trays at the end of the meal, and do not leave food on low tables.
4. Tell guests plainly not to feed the dog anything from the table, especially children.
5. Give the dog its own safe chew and a place away from the table during the meal.
6. Practice a reliable leave-it cue in the weeks before the holiday.

A solid leave-it is the best insurance against dropped food. Start with a low-value treat in a closed hand. When the dog stops pushing and looks away, say yes and give a better treat from your other hand. Build up to the treat on the floor under your hand, then uncovered, rewarding every time the dog chooses to look at you.

Practice in short sessions for a week or two. By the time guests arrive, your dog should leave a dropped piece of food alone when asked. Even so, treat training as a backup, not a replacement for keeping bones out of reach.