Raw turkey for dogs is an inexpensive, lean protein that’s chock-full of vital minerals and vitamins.
All my dogs Missy, Buzz, and Wally love it!
What’s In Raw Turkey?
According to traditional chinese medicine, turkey falls into the category of neutral foods, as opposed to those of cooling and warming.
It’s a lean source of protein (= great for weight management purposes!) that’s rich in a variety of minerals and vitamins such as:
Iron. Mineral that’s needed to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Choline. Nutrient responsible for proper liver & brain function. Also reduces seizure frequency in epileptic dogs.
Selenium. Mineral with antioxidant properties.
Zinc. Trace mineral and a necessary component of a healthy, functioning immune system.
Phosphorus & Calcium. Minerals that are important for skeletal & dental health.
Potassium. Mineral needed for healthy muscles, nerves, and enzymes.
B vitamins (B 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, Niacin = B 3). Water-soluble nutrients vital for a healthy nervous & immune system, healthy nails & skin, healthy digestion.
Good to know: Raw turkey is lower in saturated fats than chicken and beef.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
I Feed My Dogs These Cuts Of Raw Turkey
Turkey necks
They’re a favorite raw meaty bone with a nice crunch factor.
Turkey gizzards
They’re rich, so feeding them in moderation is crucial. Turkey gizzards are fed as a muscle meat in raw dog food.
Ground turkey
Whenever I see ground turkey on sale at my local grocery store, I buy it and use it for the pups’ (& my) dinner. It also falls into the muscle meat category of raw dog food.
Complete turkey
Complete turkey can be fed as a meal.
It consists of muscle meat, raw meaty bones, and secreting organs. Depending on the brand, it also features plant matter. For example, fruits, veggies, seeds, and/or nuts.
Where I Buy My Raw Turkey Cuts
Over the years, I’ve bought my raw turkey supplies from 4 different sources.
My Grocery Store
The most conveniently located one is my grocery store just around the corner where I can find turkey necks and ground turkey meat.
They always have whole turkeys on sale after the holidays, usually towards the beginning of the new year.
Raw Feeding Miami
They carry anything turkey!
From turkey livers, hearts, gizzards, broth, necks, thighs – you name it, they have it.
They also carry turkey grinds that can be fed as complete meal (without plant matter).
Tip: Save 15% off your order from Raw Feeding Miami with my referral discount link.
Raw Paws Pet Food
Raw Paws Pet Food carries complete raw turkey for dogs and cats. Complete means it’s ready to feed as is.
They also have turkey necks, turkey tails, turkey breast chunks, and hearts.
Tip: Save 15% off your order from Raw Paws Pet Food with my affiliate discount code K9Savings.
Darwin’s Natural Pet
Darwin’s carries complete ground turkey with veggies. It can be fed as is.
Tip: Take advantage of Darwin’s introductory offer and get 10 lbs for just $14.95!
Raw Meaty Turkey Bones Are Ideal For Larger Dogs
Turkey necks are the perfect size for larger dogs. They vary in length and thickness and can measure anywhere between 4-7 inches, and weigh between 4 and 8 ounces.
Good to know: Smaller & somewhat softer turkey necks are sourced from female turkeys as opposed to their male counterparts.
They’re an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus, important for skeletal health, and keep dog teeth clean.
What About Raw Turkey For Smaller Dogs?
I don’t recommend whole raw turkey necks for smaller dogs, simply because of their size.
That said, they can eat them once they’ve been cut into smaller parts or if they’re ground. You can also hold one end of the neck and let your small pup chew on the other end. Then take it away after they’ve chewed on it for a while.
Good to know: Turkey necks consist of about 42% bone and 58% muscle meat. They typically weigh between 8-13 oz. So a 10 oz turkey neck consists of 4.2 oz bone and 5.8 oz muscle meat.
Raw meaty bones from smaller poultry are a great turkey bone alternative for small dogs, such as chicken or duck feet.
Both chicken and duck feet are about 4-6 inches in length and weigh about an ounce. They’re a great source of chondroitin and glucosamine which are needed for joint health.
Good to know: Chicken and duck feet consist of 60% bone and 40% muscle meat. Since they weigh around 1 oz, they consist of 0.6 oz bone and 0.4 oz muscle meat.
If you have a smaller dog but would still like to take advantage of the raw turkey bones, I recommend grinding them with a meat grinder such as the Weston Butcher Series #32.
It’s powerful enough to grind turkey necks and chicken leg quarters.
Raw Turkey For Dogs: Bottom Line
Turkey is a fairly cheap source of protein that’s low in fat.
It’s chock-full of all the minerals and vitamins necessary for a strong immune system.
In our pack, it’s definitely a year-round favorite with Missy, Buzz, and Wally!
Leave your comments or questions below in the comment section!
Related Reading:
How to safely feed your dog raw meaty bones
How to keep raw feeding affordable: Turkey deals after the holidays
2 comments
Sometimes I can find great deals on turkey at the grocery store right after thanksgiving if I remember to look! And same thing for chicken after big grilling holidays like 4th of july.
Those are great tips, thanks, Lindsay! One way of really getting the biggest bang for your buck on those deals is if you’re able to buy in large quantities and freezing them. I still have a freezer chest on my list of things to get.