Can dogs eat turkey?
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).
How to serve it: fully cooked, no skin, bones or seasoning; white meat is best
Good to know: White meat is leaner than dark meat (AKC, PDSA). Gravy and stuffing can contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs (PDSA).
How much is okay
All treats together: at most 10% of daily calories. Enter your dog’s weight:
Turkey
up to 1.5 oz a day
43 g
10% of 629 kcal a day, for a spayed or neutered dog with normal activity. If your dog gets other treats too, give less.
Questions
What amount of turkey is okay for my dog?
All treats together: at most 10% of daily calories. For a spayed or neutered dog with normal activity weighing 22 lb, that’s up to 1.5 oz (43 g) a day. Work out the amount for your dog above.
Can cats eat turkey?
Yes, but only a little. 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).
Sources
- AKC – Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
- AKC – People Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat
- RSPCA – How to keep your pets safe from Christmas dangers
- PDSA – Christmas dinner and dogs
- U.S. FDA – Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
- Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central (147 kcal per 100 g)
Last checked: October 2026