Cats are hunters and they would normally eat the whole prey. Cats and turkey bones aren’t an honest combination. While you can give raw turkey to your pets, you increase their risk of bacterial contamination, like contracting salmonella. The main reason to discourage feeding cats \"people food\" is that there are a number of foods that are toxic to cats. Turkey is high protein and low fat, however as it is not nutritionally complete so should only be given as an occasional treat. Can cats eat turkey? 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. Drawbacks to Cats Eating Turkey. It contains anti-cancer properties and is a great source of selenium, which helps with thyroid function. Turkey meat is a good source of protein for carnivorous mammals, such as cats. 2. Let’s get into the how and why of feeding turkey to your cat. A regular diet of lunch meat is certain to cause health problems. As carnivores, cats require plenty of protein to build healthy muscle and to provide energy. The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. 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. Roland has been an animal lover all his life, with cats holding a special place in his heart. https://www.avodermnatural.com/blog/human-foods-cats-can-eat There are also some fruits that are safe for cats to eat. Here is a great recipe we got from Petco, which provides you with a healthy way to feed turkey to your cat. 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. 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. 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. Male vs Female Cats: Is There a Difference in Personality? As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. Gulping little bones like those found in turkey and chicken can hurt your cat’s framework. However, cats can eat ground turkey when it’s cooked plain. 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. Cats can eat turkey as long as it is cooked and fresh. Cats eat a lot of chicken and they also like turkey so if you give some to your cat they will certainly love it. Turkey Bones. When feeding your cat some cooked turkey meat, always make sure you removed all the bones. 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. 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. Give your kitty some cooked beef, chicken, turkey, even deli meats from your local grocery store. Pork should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 140 F. monitoring_string = "44e5bb901650ec61e9e0af1ff1bef5fe". These bacteria can disrupt their … 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. →, Kitten Food vs Cat Food: What’s the Difference? You’re not in the wrong here. … Most of your kitty's diet should be a nutritionally complete cat food, but … Smoked meats have a high sodium content and can contain sulfites, which are not ideal for cats. Another problem with turkey, especially Thanksgiving turkey, is the Turkey bones. 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. And of course, you should always ask your vet before sharing any human foods with your cat, including turkey. On Thanksgiving, you will also need to watch the stuffing as it often contains many seasonings and ingredients that are harmful to cats. 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. The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. What can I feed my cat if I run out of cat food? Another popular trend is to deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey. Cooked turkey can be a nutritious supplement to a cat’s regular diet. Also, serve your cat only the lean white 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. Turkey also includes taurine, which is an essential amino acid for cats and helps with the animal’s vision and digestion. Fruits That Cats Can Eat. The sort of protein that turkey provides satisfies the bulk of a cat’s nutritional needs. If you give in and decide to let your cat have turkey, give him only a small piece. Common meats like beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb can sometimes trigger food allergies in cats but uncommon proteins like game meats (think duck, … Our 5 Favorite Stocking Stuffers For Cats. Kitten Food vs Cat Food: What’s the Difference. Many pets enjoy the flavor, aroma, and texture of this popular meat. →, Male vs Female Cats: Is There a Difference in Personality? Cats and dogs are known for upping the ante on their treat-begging come Thanksgiving’s turkey and pumpkin pie-fueled feasts. Be careful and don’t feed them raw meat, or you could make your cat sick. It is not harmful for the feline animal, as long as the owners could monitor what to give and what to keep. It’s heavily processed and contains harmful chemical preservatives and artificial colorings and is prone to listeria contamination. Many cat foods have turkey listed as its main ingredient, and you can also create DIY cat treats using turkey like this fantastic recipe. The information found on ExcitedCats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. You Can Share, Sometimes. As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. © 2021 All rights reserved. Can cats eat turkey bones? Fish has many properties that can help with a cat's skin, heart, kidney, and joint diseases, Dr. … CanOrCannot.Com – The proper way to allow the cat pets grow healthily is by giving cat food and treats.. “No matter what form … 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. The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. It’s best to keep cats away from all bones year-round. Such as sausage and if it’s healthy for them. Yes, turkey is safe for most cats to eat. Can Cats Eat Turkey? The Benefits of Turkey Meat Salt can also make them thirsty, which can lead to more frequent urination. Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that. The tryptophan in Turkey can help improve your cat’s mood and helps with insomnia. How do you go about serving turkey to your cat? As long as it’s plain turkey, it’s generally pretty safe for cats to have and they enjoy it. Cattime is a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company. So if humans can eat turkey, can cats safely eat it too? 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. Bear in mind, when introducing new foods to your feline, gastrointestinal upset is to be expected. 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. Onions are a huge no-no when it comes to cats and dogs. However, some owners are more than willing to take some portion of their meal to be given to the cats. Thank you, C. Elizabeth Blocher, for your question: Can cats eat cold cuts or lunch meat? 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. Many people inquiring about the safety of feeding your cat turkey are doing so concerning Thanksgiving dinner. 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. 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. 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. First, feed any turkey scraps in moderation, so your cat doesn’t have an upset stomach. 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. Even domestic cats should eat a diet that has a high protein content. If your cat has never had turkey before, he can be hesitant. Cats eating turkey bacon isn’t a better alternative to your usual bacon, either. Cats who are on a food trial, which is a specific diet given for 6 weeks with no other meals or … However, small birds or mice bones are easy for them to crack and digest, while thick turkey bones can … Turkey Dinner Staples That Can Be Deadly For Cats And Dogs , About 3% Of These Are Chicken, 3% Are Canned Poultry & Meat. It contains a high amount of sodium, nitrites, and nitrates. So from a nutritional point of view, turkey served correctly can be good for your cat. 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. In the wild, cats eat a diet that consists predominantly of meat. Yes, cats can eat turkey meat. Fresh, lean, roasted turkey breast is the best way to feed turkey to your cat. Crucially, taurine assists with keeping a feline’s immune system healthy. In fact, it is a common ingredient in many commercial dog and cat foods. A strong immune system will help them heal faster and prevent disease. For cats and dogs, turkey is a lean meat that is a key ingredient in many pet foods. If you happen to have slices of turkey lunch meat sitting in the fridge, this is also something to avoid feeding your cat. Onions and Chives. Though cats can eat all types of meat. Turkey is packed with nutrients and proteins. Does your cat love to scarf down some turkey during the holidays? 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). We hope you have enjoyed reading our in-depth guide to feeding cats turkey. As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. 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. If you plan to feed your cat ground turkey, we recommend choosing a brand that states it’s at least 90% lean. 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. For one thing, it contains a lot of protein, is lean, and contains taurine which is particularly good for cats. Yes, they can eat turkey. If you want to know about what cats can or cannot eat. 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. Avoid feeding them the skin and bones, and don’t use any seasonings. 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. Ground Turkey can be a good source of protein, but it tends to have more fat than lean turkey breast. Fish. You can also add cheese, vegetables, and fish to that list as well. Cats can eat plenty of human foods such as brown rice, meat, eggs, and vegetables. What cats can’t eat turkey? Can Cats Eat Turkey Bacon? These bacteria can disrupt their digestive system causing diarrhea or vomiting. 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. Feeding your cat lean, unseasoned turkey is a fantastic source of protein. Turkey is a favorite among many cats and fresh roasted turkey can be quite beneficial. 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. Overindulging can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea or even pancreatitis, an inflamed pancreas. Second, make sure the turkey meat is well-cooked to avoid the risk of food-borne illnesses. In fact, really the only food that I can unhesitatingly recommend for most cats is skinless turkey breast. 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. 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