Can cats eat turkey?
Plain cooked turkey without skin, bones or seasoning can be an occasional treat (Cats Protection, Cornell). On its own it lacks nutrients cats need, and the fatty skin can lead to pancreatitis (Cats Protection).
How to serve it: fully cooked lean white meat, no skin, bones or seasoning
Good to know: PDSA suggests white meat, as dark meat can be too rich. Gravy and stuffing often contain onion or garlic (PDSA).
How much is okay
All treats together: at most 10% of daily calories. Enter your cat’s weight:
Turkey
up to 0.58 oz a day
16 g
10% of 241 kcal a day, for a spayed or neutered cat with normal activity. If your cat gets other treats too, give less.
Questions
What amount of turkey is okay for my cat?
All treats together: at most 10% of daily calories. For a spayed or neutered cat with normal activity weighing 9 lb, that’s up to 0.58 oz (16 g) a day. Work out the amount for your cat above.
Can dogs eat turkey?
Yes, but only a little. Cooked turkey meat without skin, fat or bones is fine for dogs in small amounts (AKC, RSPCA). The fatty skin can lead to pancreatitis, and cooked poultry bones splinter (AKC).
Sources
- Cats Protection – Christmas dinner: Can cats eat turkey?
- Cornell Feline Health Center – Beware of Holiday Hazards
- PDSA – How to have a pet-friendly Christmas
- RSPCA – How to keep your pets safe from Christmas dangers
- Cornell Feline Health Center – Feeding Your Cat
- Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central (147 kcal per 100 g)
Last checked: October 2026