Turkey is bad for dogs???

[Sandra_G]

I just read what someone  wrote about Turkey causing Pancreatitus.   I give my Poodle white meat turkey. Tonight I made her "Doggie Shepards Pie" Mashed potato Chopped Turkey & Mixed Veggies. Now I am panicking. She had a bad bout with Pancreatitus in January...she almost died but made it through. Thank God.
Now she is diagnosed with Cushings Disease & Kidney Disease. I NEVER KNEW TURKEY WAS BAD FOR A DOG.
Does anyone have any insite to this? Please HELP me. Thank you

[tonyb286]

I think that's it exactly ... turkey scraps are fine, in moderation. The problem sometimes occurs when people "over do" it, particularly during the holiday season when there's an abundance of turkey knocking around. Of course, some dogs will be prone to pancreatitis, no matter what you feed them, if it's a genetic or secondary illness issue.

Tony

[Margot49]

I have never fed my dogs much fat.  Some, but not a lot.  Yes, they have had turkey scraps, in moderation.  I fed my Shelties raw chicken necks and my Greyhound raw turkey necks.  

[tonyb286]

Well actually ... there's really nothing at all wrong with the fat from a turkey, but just not every day that's all. We have to remember that dogs deal with fat in a completely different way to humans, so while fat is bad for us, dogs thrive on it. They ARE meat eaters, primarily, and they deal with the fats quite well, turning them into valuable energy. Of course, they are also natural scavengers, so variety of content is key to a good (and healthy) diet.

Pancreatitis can occur with many foodstuffs, particularly if it has been cooked using human meant ingredients, herbs, onions and spices. It's often the secondary ingredients that cause the problems - or the way the meat/poultry has been farmed and prepared for consumption - that causes problems.

Tony

[Artmaker]

Oh my yes.   For years, and through several dogs now, every Thanks giving I'd flip the skins, fat, bits of assorted meats while cleaning the bird to my dogs.   Never had a problem until my latest dog.   And actually I have two sisters, only one got Pancreatitus and they both had the exact same things to eat from the same bird so I can pretty much rule out what the bird ate as an issue.  

But like so many have already pointed out, all that fat and skin is no good for dogs.  Granted some can handle it but some simply cannot.   My vet said only a small amount of white meat as a treat would be ok.   The fat, oils, skin.... all get tossed out now with the bones. Lesson learned.

[Margot49]

Well, bless you for giving these poor dogs a home!,  I pray they closed the place down.  
I am sure they are in poor condition due to the environment they were kept in and who knows what they were fed.  As long as they have been checked by your Vet, and he is aware of these issues, it may take months before they get back to good health.  
As for food, take Tony's advice as you have different foods available that we don't have in the USA.  They are small dogs, but you may try adding some Omega 3 or even some coconut oil to their diets.  
Good luck and please keep us posted on the progress of these little ones.

[tonyb286]

Hi. Hair missing from the tail sounds like a flea infestation, maybe one that has since been treated and is now cured. Dogs commonly chew at tail hair so much that bare patches occur, sometimes the skin is also infected due to biting and chewing. If you mean chunks of hair missing from the ears, then that too is indicative of an infestation, causing hair loss and inflammation due to scratching.

There is also the possibility the ear problem was caused by diet, but a flea infestation is my first thought.

If you are using Bakers Complete DRY food, then please be aware dry food in particular sometimes causes allergies. Bakers Complete is also one of the worst dog foods there is, getting an alarming 0.1 out of 5 on AllAboutDogFood UK site. It has a low meat content, artificial additives, and by-products and derivatives. If you want to read more about dry food and why I don't like it, my article link is here:

http://www.infobarrel.com/Why_Dry_Dog_Food_Is_Bad_For_Dogs

And if you want info about food allergies, my article on that subject is here:

http://www.infobarrel.com/Is_Your_Dog_Allergic_To_Its_Food

Hope this helps.

Tony

[Whincup1889]

We've just adopted two Yorkshire Terriers rescued from a puppy farm.  The eldest, Bella is about 7yrs and the younger Cami ( Bella's daughter we think) is about 18 months old. Both were caged and used purely to breed as and when they were able. Not housetrained and extremely nervous which is hardly surprising, I have no knowledge of what their diet was.  I've been feeding them Science Plan which they weren't keen on so now I'm trying Baker's Complete which they seem to prefer.  The problem is that Bella has no fur on her tail ( it actually looks like a rat's tail) and she has also lost some hair on her shoulders.  I'm not sure if it's been rubbed off in the cage or maybe she's worried it off or possibly  because of her poor diet.  She's been checked over by our vet who says we just have to wait and see if her hair grows back before further investigation. Both dogs too have chunks out of their ears. Any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated.  In the meantime we're having lots of cuddles and puddles !

[Misfits4Me]

My dogs eat Turkey on a regular basis (Included in canned,  homecooked in stews, dehydrated or broiled patties with other ingredients included)......

Also, My Vet suggests Dark meat Chicken OR Turkey (Higher Fat content) FOR dogs with Kidney Issues..... Also, Small amounts of RAW Liver (Organic) for anemia that usually goes along with Kidney Problems.....Karla

[SarahL2491]

what was your rationale for starting your dog on cooked people food?
if I may ask

[old_weird_stuff]

The only turkey I feed my guys is ground breast at 99% fat free

[Margot49]

I hope your dog has recovered by now.  I have fed our dogs some turkey many times but not much, only the white meat and never any skin.  
In dog food, by the time it is processed and all the other stuff is added, probably contains little turkey!

My daughter's one dog suffers from chronic pancreatitis and is on a strict canned diet only.  Any variation from that ends her up at the Vet's office with mega Vet bills!!  She may get a tiny piece of something when the other dogs get treats, feel bad for her.  I think my daughter found a treat that she can have and tolerates but can't remember what it is.
Yes, best to watch her diet and warn others not to feed her.
All my daughter's friends and family know not to feed this dog.  A few times, when they had people over, my daughter put a shirt she had made for the dog that says on top, "Don't feed me! I will die". Lol. Well, it has worked so far. :-)

[terriergal]

I think the problem with turkey may also be related to the dark meat which is fatty. I have had friends whose dogs have snatched "the turkey" and subsequently developed pancreatitis and died. What is so confusing to us as consumers is that some canned dog foods are turkey. I still think the dark meat is a big concern because of the fat content. Just my opinion!

[fifi9]

My 5.5 pound toy poodle is recovering from severe gastritis after she ate turkey at Thanksgiving.  She has been so sick and miserable!  She had to have med and fluid injections and is on oral meds and a bland diet now for several days.  She is recovering well, but it was totally scary and very costly.  I know turkey is toxic for my dog now, and I will caution any of my toy poodle families to avoid turkey, even though for some dogs it may be ok.  It's not a chance I will take again and will stick to my guns about anyone giving her table food when I have guests.  Good luck.

[Margot49]

How my h and did you feed the skin?
Fast the dog for 24 hrs but allow to drink fluids and/or give Pedialyte
Cook up some chicken and rice ( don't fry and no skin) add some rice to this and try a few small meals.  Yes, you can try some canned pumpkin ( not the pie filling)
If the diarrhea gets worse, you see any blood or mucus or the dog seems sicker, best to consult the Vet

[burnaka]

Plain pumpkin will regulate most dogs.  Canned pumpkin that has one ingredient, pumpkin, not a pie filling.  My dog gets one table spoon daily she is 90 lbs.  Two tablespoons if she has an issue.  You can google my suggestion, you will find it recommended by many many reputable sites, vets, etc..

[Lanti]

I feed my french poodel turkey and he got diaria for 4 days what can I do for him, I read him rice but didn't stop the diaria I got him medication from vet I give it it him this morning and his food (blue) but again he got loes stool can you advice me

[Lanti]

I feed my french poodel turkey and he got diaria for 4 days what can I do for him, I read him rice but didn't stop the diaria I got him medication from vet I give it it him this morning and his food (blue) but again he got loes stool can you advice me

[ginger899]

It'll be ok. Heart and liver are not fatty offal, they are very nutritious for a dog. Turkey in itself is not poisonous for dogs, it's just as people said above, when too much of it is given, or fatty pieces like skin etc are given in larger quantities, that there could be a problem.
Like Ghilly said above, the only real problem would be if your dog had kidney disease, and protein and phosphorus had to be restricted. Turkey obviously is high protein, and high phosphorus (fine for a normal dog in moderation, but not so good for a dog with either renal disease, or a history of pancreatitis)

[Brutuslee]

I boiled. The heart and liver, is that ok for my dog?

[Red931]

For what it is worth it has also been said that the antibiotics that Turkeys and Chickens are raised on could be harmful to our dogs and to us as well.

Our Vet recommends that we give Bella some boiled chicken with her kibble everyday. I make sure I buy the more expensive chicken that is raised natually with no antibiotics.

I also give her a little turkey every once in awhile, but as a treat like Ghilly stated. Not too much.

I hope this was helpful to you as well.

Dean

[Ghilly]

You're very welcome!  I'm so glad that the information was helpful to you.  Please feel free to either post any other questions you have or PM me with them.  I will answer anything I can for you to the best of my ability.  :)

Ghilly

[Sandra_G]

Thank you so much for all your detailed info. I need that.  I sometimes bake chicken, but never give her skin or fat or bones. Now I know why not to do this again.  I did put butter in the mashed potato & milk. Never again. You really helped me "see the light". lol
She won't eat that awful Hills KD wet food so I have to find alternatives.
I will search google as you said.  Thank you again & please keep in touch.
Sandra

[Ghilly]

Turkey in and of itself doesn't cause pancreatitis.  The only parts of turkey that are damaging for a dog to eat are the bones and the skin.  The problem with people feeding turkey (and other table food) to their dogs is that instead of giving them small amounts of the meat as a treat along with their dog kibble, they tend to make a plate for them just like they would for another family member, and it's too rich for them.  All the fat in the meal is what causes things like pancreatitis.

You mentioned that you made your dog a "Doggie Shepherd's Pie" with chopped turkey, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies.  How were the potatoes mashed?  Did you use butter and milk to mash them?  If so, the butter and milk are going to be the damaging part of the meal, not the turkey.  

If you are feeding "people food", the best thing to remember is that you should only give them a tiny bit of whatever it is mixed in with their kibble, and NEVER, NEVER give them ANYTHING that has onions in it or anything that has even been prepared WITH onions.  If it has been prepared WITH onions, there is enough onion in it that it can do horrible damage to your dog in the form of Heinz body anemia.  

Your dog has been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease and kidney disease.  The cardinal rule with kidney disease is to keep as much protein as possible OUT of their diet.  Do a Google search of diets that are safe for a dog with renal disease and you will see exactly what is safe for you to feed your dog.  At this point, if you feed her anything high in protein, you are literally killing her with kindness.  

Boiled chicken, hard cooked egg, rice, boiled potatoes, these are safe for a dog with renal disease to eat.   Please note that that says BOILED chicken, NOT BROILED.  Boiling removes most of the fat and makes it safe for a dog with renal disease eat.  They do need SOME fat, of course, but no more than a teaspoon of fat per meal, otherwise their ability to filter toxins from the body is more severely compromised because you're providing them with too much protein.  If you make, say, ground beef for her, take the ground beef,put it in a saucepan, add water just until the meat is covered, and bring it to a simmer.  Let the meat cook and then pour it through a screen strainer to remove all the fat that boiled out while it was cooking.  

If you are used to spoiling your dog with home cooked goodies, you're going to need to completely retrain yourself as to what is and what is not acceptable for her to eat.  Don't feel that you are depriving her of anything, you're not.  On the contrary, you are adding years to her life by providing her with a diet that is as safe as possible for a body like hers that cannot handle the normal protein content of other foods.

Ghilly