Can Dogs Eat Turkey Sausage?

Turkey sausages make for a hearty breakfast or midday snack. It is a versatile dish you can prepare in many ways and have as a side for various meals.

If you have a dog, there is a high chance it will want a bite of your sausage. Most of us cannot resist our doggos’ pleas for a snack, so we yield to their cute demands and offer them a bite. While dogs may enjoy turkey sausages, is it safe for them?

Let us dig deep into this subject to see if we have been on the right track in sharing turkey sausages with our furry friends.

Is Turkey Sausage Safe For Dogs?

Many pet experts will give a no to this question, understandably so, as the typical turkey sausage may have ingredients that are toxic to dogs.

The best answer is that it depends on the state of the sausage. Is the sausage raw? Is it spiced? Did you prepare it at home? We will answer the safety query guided by these questions.

Did You Get The Sausage From The Store?

Turkey sausage from the shop is not safe for your pup. Most of the time, these sausages contain additives that can harm your dog. The ingredients in these sausages include ground turkey meat, some fat, salt, spices, flavoring, and artificial preservatives.

The meat and fats are not bad for dogs and can provide essential nutrients like proteins and lipids. The problem lies with add-ons like salt. Dogs should not eat too much salt, as it may cause sodium ion toxicity. Signs of this condition include thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may cause seizures, tremors, and even death in severe situations.

Turkey sausage may contain spices that are not friendly to dogs. The number one culprit is garlic, used in sausage-making for taste and to keep off microbes. Dogs cannot eat garlic as it contains disulfides and thiosulfates, which cause oxidative damage to red blood cells. The outcome is anemia.

The artificial flavors and preservatives can upset your canine’s digestive system. You may notice signs like abdominal pain, general discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting from ingestion of these artificial additives.

Nevertheless, not all stores stock turkey sausages with all these ingredients. You may find some that specialize in pet-friendly varieties.

What About Homemade Turkey Sausages?

You can make turkey sausages at home in many ways, like by using leftover turkey or starting from scratch with raw poultry. Suitability for your dog depends on the ingredients. You can exclude additives like salt and spices toxic to dogs, like garlic.

Plain sausages are suitable for your dog, providing it with several nutrients. You can spice the sausages using dog-friendly spices if you like them spicy.

You should be careful when handling raw poultry when making sausages. Cleanliness is vital to prevent the spread of pathogens like salmonella.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Sausages?

Lately, a fad of feeding dogs raw meat is emerging. Supporters of this trend bank on the notion that dogs ate raw food when they were wild. While this idea may be logical, you should not give raw turkey sausages to your dog.

They present a risk of salmonella and other bacterial infections that can prompt an unplanned trip to the vet doctor. Some dogs can have an upset stomach after eating raw turkey sausage. Expect diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in such a scenario.

Points To Note About Dogs Eating Turkey Sausages

Take note of the following when you decide to feed your dog turkey sausages.

The Nutritional Value

Well-prepared turkey sausages without seasoning or toxic additives are nutritious. Turkey is rich in protein, which your doggo needs to develop its body mass. This nutrient is also responsible for tissue healing and hormonal function.

Turkey is a good source of B vitamins, like B6 and B12. Your canine needs these vitamins for various biochemical reactions.

This poultry is also rich in phosphorus, essential for bone and teeth formation. Moreover, the mineral maintains cell structures and helps in cellular energy production. Other minerals in turkey are sodium, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. They are crucial for various physiological processes.

Limit The Serving

While dogs enjoy turkey sausages, you should limit their serving. Overeating this dish exposes them to obesity and cardiovascular conditions. For small dogs and puppies, a sausage once a week will do. Larger dogs may eat two sausages per week.

You can feed your doggo the sausage directly or chop it up and mix it with its dog food.

Throw Away Spoiled Sausages

You cannot eat rancid turkey sausages – neither should your dog. Rancid food can cause poisoning in dogs.

Throw away the spoiled sausages. If it is not good for you, it is definitely not good for your pup.

Be Keen On Turkey Allergies

Dogs can be allergic to turkey meat, though it is a rarity. It is common in dogs with existing allergies. Breeds like the Chinese Shar Peis, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels are more prone to food allergies.

You must check with your veterinarian before feeding your dog turkey sausages to rule out allergies. The following are symptoms to watch out for when your dog eats turkey, signaling an allergic reaction.

• Itching
• Hair loss
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Lethargy
• An increased heart rate
• Fever

Contact your vet for help if the symptoms persist.

Turkey Meat Is Good

Your furry friend can enjoy turkey meat. However, turkey for dogs should be plain, without oil or seasoning. Simple boiling or steaming works fine when preparing this meat for your canine. Serve it without the skin, as it is very fatty and may cause pancreatitis or upset your pup’s tummy.

Furthermore, remove the bones from the meat. Cooking turkey makes the bones brittle, an injury hazard if your dog breaks them. The broken bones can prick its gums or throat.

Other alternatives to turkey sausage for your dog are turkey meatballs or turkey bone broth. You can add carrots and squash to make the broth thicker.

Related Questions

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Turkey Sausage?

It depends on the ingredients of the sausage. No need to worry if it is plain turkey sausage with no additives like salt and spices that may upset your dog. However, you should watch your dog if it had a regular sausage from the store. These sausages may have a lot of salt and garlic.

Look out for symptoms of toxicity like thirst, frequent urination, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. Visit your vet for help in controlling the situation.

How Much Turkey Sausage Is Bad For Dogs?

One to three plain turkey sausages, without seasoning, served once or twice a week is okay for your canine.

A bite of standard sausages from the store may not harm your dog. Nevertheless, it depends on factors like the dog’s size and health. Large and healthy dogs can overcome the toxicity of the ingredients in turkey sausages.

Final Thought

Your dog should not eat turkey sausages, as it can upset its stomach and cause several other health issues. The exception is if the sausage is plain, without salt, garlic, and artificial additives. For safety, consider alternatives like turkey meat, meatballs, and broth.