Turkey is high protein and low fat, however as it is not nutritionally complete so should only be given as an occasional treat. Even though raw meat is high in the important nutrient taurine, we recommend limiting your pet’s raw food to extremely limited portions that you know are fresh or avoiding it altogether. The sort of protein that turkey provides satisfies the bulk of a cat’s nutritional needs. Generally, turkey is safe for cats to eat, says The Happy Cat Site. Gulping little bones like those found in turkey and chicken can hurt your cat’s framework. If you were wondering if it’s safe for your cat to eat turkey, the short answer is yes, it is, but turkey comes in a few forms, and some are not as healthy as others. Cats can eat turkey as long as it is cooked and fresh. How do you go about serving turkey to your cat? If you want to know about what cats can or cannot eat. Many people inquiring about the safety of feeding your cat turkey are doing so concerning Thanksgiving dinner. When discussing the safety of feeding turkey to your cat, we’re strictly referring to unseasoned meat. This is a question you might have thought about, especially during the traditional holiday season when turkey forms the basis of many of our festive feasts. These bacteria can disrupt their digestive system causing diarrhea or vomiting. Feline food allergies typically cause skin reactions, but can also cause vomiting and diarrhea. As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. What can I feed my cat if I run out of cat food? Turkey also includes taurine, which is an essential amino acid for cats and helps with the animal’s vision and digestion. Roland has been an animal lover all his life, with cats holding a special place in his heart. Cattime is a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company. Overindulging can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea or even pancreatitis, an inflamed pancreas. The tryptophan in Turkey can help improve your cat’s mood and helps with insomnia. Turkey Bones. If your cat has never had turkey before, he can be hesitant. As long as it’s plain turkey, it’s generally pretty safe for cats to have and they enjoy it. While turkey is a great source of protein for your cat, there are a few ways you should avoid feeding it and will look at those in this section. It contains anti-cancer properties and is a great source of selenium, which helps with thyroid function. The main reason to discourage feeding cats \"people food\" is that there are a number of foods that are toxic to cats. It’s best to keep cats away from all bones year-round. Can Cats Eat Turkey Or Is This Meat Off The Menu – Most Cats Can Eat Turkey But Should Not Have Cooked Turkey Bones. No, your dog or cat shouldn’t eat Thanksgiving turkey because it contains a high content of fat, cooked with herbs, spices, onions, oils that can harm your dog or cat, and contains cooked bones that will harm your dog or cat when they ingest it. Yes, your cat can absolutely share your turkey dinner — but with a few stipulations. Let’s get into the how and why of feeding turkey to your cat. Onions are a huge no-no when it comes to cats and dogs. In the wild, cats eat a diet that consists predominantly of meat. Cooked turkey can be a nutritious supplement to a cat’s regular diet. So turkey can definitely become part of your feline’s meal times, although there are some safety considerations to take note of before you go ahead and serve up the bird. Also, serve your cat only the lean white meat. If you are a cat owner, it's important to familiarize yourself with the everyday foods that can be dangerous, and even deadly, for cats. Here is a great recipe we got from Petco, which provides you with a healthy way to feed turkey to your cat. If you give in and decide to let your cat have turkey, give him only a small piece. So if humans can eat turkey, can cats safely eat it too? Be truly careful about the bones and ask your vet about the right amount of turkey that is appropriate for your loyal companion. While all the lean meat in a roasted turkey is safe to feed your cat, there is a lot of fat in turkey skin, so you will want to limit how much they eat. You may find that … Onions and Chives. Turkey is packed with nutrients and proteins. However, raw turkey can be contaminated with bacteria, such as Salmonella. Turkey Dinner Staples That Can Be Deadly For Cats And Dogs , About 3% Of These Are Chicken, 3% Are Canned Poultry & Meat. You’re not in the wrong here. So turkey can definitely become part of your feline’s meal times; although, there are some safety considerations to take note of before you go ahead and serve up the bird. Though cats can eat all types of meat. Common meats like beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb can sometimes trigger food allergies in cats but uncommon proteins like game meats (think duck, … Salt can also make them thirsty, which can lead to more frequent urination. While you can give raw turkey to your pets, you increase their risk of bacterial contamination, like contracting salmonella. In fact, it is a common ingredient in many commercial dog and cat foods. Other than that, turkey is a wonderful choice of food for your feline, not only because it is meat which is natural for cats to eat, but because turkey meat actually has many health benefits. monitoring_string = "44e5bb901650ec61e9e0af1ff1bef5fe". It contains a high amount of sodium, nitrites, and nitrates. “No matter what form … Male vs Female Cats: Is There a Difference in Personality? Cat Nail Caps: What Are The Pros & Cons? Kitten Food vs Cat Food: What’s the Difference. He is owned by three felines: Wheely, KitzKitz, and Nugget (all rescues) who bring all the laughter and mischievousness one can expect from the feline master race. Most of your kitty's diet should be a nutritionally complete cat food, but … When feeding your cat some cooked turkey meat, always make sure you removed all the bones. As the creator of ExcitedCats, his mission is to assist in the search for the best gear to help improve the health and wellbeing of cats everywhere. If you happen to have slices of turkey lunch meat sitting in the fridge, this is also something to avoid feeding your cat. It’s heavily processed and contains harmful chemical preservatives and artificial colorings and is prone to listeria contamination. Bear in mind, when introducing new foods to your feline, gastrointestinal upset is to be expected. Crucially, taurine assists with keeping a feline’s immune system healthy. However, cats can eat ground turkey when it’s cooked plain. As carnivores, cats require plenty of protein to build healthy muscle and to provide energy. While cats can eat raw meat and there’s a general trend toward adding more raw meat to their diet, you run the risk of feeding your pet spoiled meat or food contaminated with salmonella or other bacteria. You can also add cheese, vegetables, and fish to that list as well. Feeding your cat lean, unseasoned turkey is a fantastic source of protein. The information found on ExcitedCats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. Yes, they can eat turkey. Can Cats Eat Turkey? First of all, it’s best to serve only cooked turkey. Join us while we look at a few different kinds of turkey and their nutritional value to help you make an educated decision about feeding it to your dog. Fish. Cats can eat plenty of human foods such as brown rice, meat, eggs, and vegetables. Let us know in the comments below! For one thing, it contains a lot of protein, is lean, and contains taurine which is particularly good for cats. Cats are hunters and they would normally eat the whole prey. Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media LLC, and its owned and operated websites may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links. Can Cats Eat Turkey Bacon? →, Kitten Food vs Cat Food: What’s the Difference? Avoid the dark turkey meat and the fat, as these do not provide the same nutritional benefits. These fats can quickly lead to obesity, heart problems, and other health issues that make it best to avoid feeding your cat deep-fried turkey. For cats and dogs, turkey is a lean meat that is a key ingredient in many pet foods. Does your cat love to scarf down some turkey during the holidays? Even domestic cats should eat a diet that has a high protein content. Cats are carnivores and need meat in their diets to survive (sorry vegans, but you can’t put your cat on a plant-based diet). Give your kitty some cooked beef, chicken, turkey, even deli meats from your local grocery store. There are also some fruits that are safe for cats to eat. Cats shouldn’t be allowed to eat bones of any kind. Fresh, lean, roasted turkey breast is the best way to feed turkey to your cat. (Picture Credit: JasonOndreicka / Getty Images). What cats can’t eat turkey? →, 20 Simple Ways to Keep Cats Off Your Car →. Second, make sure the turkey meat is well-cooked to avoid the risk of food-borne illnesses. Featured Image: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay. Freshly cooked is the best way to serve it, but DIY treats are also a great idea and are convenient at any time of the day. However, some owners are more than willing to take some portion of their meal to be given to the cats. Yes, cats can eat turkey meat. →, Male vs Female Cats: Is There a Difference in Personality? Put simply, turkey is good for cats due to the high amount of protein it provides, as long as you’re serving lean meat. Such as sausage and if it’s healthy for them. Can cats eat turkey bones? CanOrCannot.Com – The proper way to allow the cat pets grow healthily is by giving cat food and treats.. That is why turkey must be fully cooked, as the bacteria are destroyed from the heat of properly cooking the turkey. The great news is that it also has many important nutrients that ensure a healthy development for your pet with the much needed proteins and the taurine that cannot be naturally produced by their body. So from a nutritional point of view, turkey served correctly can be good for your cat. So turkey can definitely become part of your feline’s meal times; although, there are some safety considerations to take note of before you go ahead and serve up the bird. Turkey bones, like chicken bones, and other poultry bones, can splinter if your cat eats them, causing gastrointestinal problems and other much more ever health consequences. 2. Feeding your cat a slice or two of turkey deli meat now and then won’t harm them, but it can increase their risk of cancer. Cats eat a lot of chicken and they also like turkey so if you give some to your cat they will certainly love it. cat care 101 can cats eat turkey, healthy pet food, holiday safety tips, pet safety, raw cat food, raw turkey, species appropriate diet, Thanksgiving, thanksgiving food, turkey dinner for cats Post navigation. When it comes to the mechanics of serving turkey to your cat, make sure to keep bones away from the feline because these can become choking hazards. Another popular trend is to deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey. Can cats eat turkey? Many cat foods have turkey listed as its main ingredient, and you can also create DIY cat treats using turkey like this fantastic recipe. Fish has many properties that can help with a cat's skin, heart, kidney, and joint diseases, Dr. … It is not harmful for the feline animal, as long as the owners could monitor what to give and what to keep. A regular diet of lunch meat is certain to cause health problems. Turkey meat is considered a healthy food with nutrients that vary with each cut. Pork should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 140 F. There are many spices, including salt and pepper, that are harmful to feed your cat and can lead to water retention, swelling, and other health problems. We hope you have enjoyed reading our in-depth guide to feeding cats turkey. While cats can eat raw meats in some cases, it’s usually advised against serving raw meat stocked in supermarkets and stores to cats due to potential issues, including salmonella and listeria. If you keep it lean and don’t feed any bones, skin, or deli meat, turkey makes a great addition to your cat’s diet that provides plenty of protein and has cancer-fighting properties. Smoked meats have a high sodium content and can contain sulfites, which are not ideal for cats. A strong immune system will help them heal faster and prevent disease. Turkey is a favorite among many cats and fresh roasted turkey can be quite beneficial. If you want to make an easy homemade cat treat while whipping up some turkey burgers for yourself, simply cook the meat thoroughly, then form kitty-bite-sized patties before you season the meat for yourself. Fruits That Cats Can Eat. Our 5 Favorite Stocking Stuffers For Cats. The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. These bacteria can disrupt their … Plus, some cats can be allergic to turkey. Be careful and don’t feed them raw meat, or you could make your cat sick. Avoid feeding them the skin and bones, and don’t use any seasonings. While it is tasty and harmless to humans, a simple nibble could be life-threatening for your cat. On Thanksgiving, you will also need to watch the stuffing as it often contains many seasonings and ingredients that are harmful to cats. If this guide has helped you feel more at ease, please share this guide to feeding your cat turkey on Facebook and Twitter. However, small birds or mice bones are easy for them to crack and digest, while thick turkey bones can … Yes, turkey is safe for most cats to eat. Pork is safe for cats to eat, although ham and bacon should be avoided. Turkey also provides other important nutrients as well, like zinc, vitamin B6 and 12, and niacin, which help to boost the immune system of your pet. While this technique may lead to a tasty meal prepared in a fraction of the time, It adds harmful saturated and trans-fats to the meat. © 2021 All rights reserved. Yes, cats can eat cold cuts or lunch meat. In fact, really the only food that I can unhesitatingly recommend for most cats is skinless turkey breast. The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. 5 Common Sense Pet Safety Tips For Halloween. A single slice of bacon can hold ten times as much salt as a cat should eat in a day, and is loaded with saturated fat, too. Cats who are on a food trial, which is a specific diet given for 6 weeks with no other meals or … Ground Turkey can be a good source of protein, but it tends to have more fat than lean turkey breast. The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. Deli meat increases the risk of cancer and heart disease in people and animals. Additional added sodium, flavorings, and preservatives can upset your cat’s stomach. The safest and healthiest method for feeding cats turkey is to buy fresh skinless, boneless turkey breast meat and cook it thoroughly without added seasonings. Cats eating turkey bacon isn’t a better alternative to your usual bacon, either. Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that. As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. Plain, unseasoned, boneless, skinless turkey is safe for cats and dogs in small amounts. And of course, you should always ask your vet before sharing any human foods with your cat, including turkey. The Benefits of Turkey Meat Cooked bones may be even more harmful than raw bones, because they’re brittle and may splinter, causing injuries in your cat’s mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines. The bone can break off into little pieces and do a lot of harm. If you plan to feed your cat ground turkey, we recommend choosing a brand that states it’s at least 90% lean. https://www.avodermnatural.com/blog/human-foods-cats-can-eat It’s important to keep your cat away from the bones and dispose of them properly, so they don’t get them when you’re not looking. Drawbacks to Cats Eating Turkey. Thank you, C. Elizabeth Blocher, for your question: Can cats eat cold cuts or lunch meat? Cats and turkey bones aren’t an honest combination. As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. We do our best to help you better understand your cats; however, the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. … Cats and dogs are known for upping the ante on their treat-begging come Thanksgiving’s turkey and pumpkin pie-fueled feasts. If you’re concerned about how much turkey your cat can eat, or if she got into the holiday spirit a little early, we recommend calling your vet. Many pets enjoy the flavor, aroma, and texture of this popular meat. Raw Turkey While cats can eat raw meat and there’s a general trend toward adding more raw meat to their diet, you run the risk of feeding your pet spoiled meat or food contaminated with salmonella or other bacteria. You Can Share, Sometimes. Turkey meat is a good source of protein for carnivorous mammals, such as cats. Another problem with turkey, especially Thanksgiving turkey, is the Turkey bones. First, feed any turkey scraps in moderation, so your cat doesn’t have an upset stomach. (Picture Credit: Mark Seton / Getty Images). The fat, as long as it ’ s diet add cheese, vegetables, and amounts..., turkey is a favorite among many cats and fresh commercial dog and cat foods grow... 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