Can Your Dog Eat Turkey This Thanksgiving?

When you’re carving the holiday turkey and that big turkey leg is sitting on the platter, it’s tempting to hand a piece to your pup. But while PetMD confirms that plain turkey meat can be healthy in small, simple portions, the turkey leg specifically is not a safe holiday treat. Turkey legs contain dark meat, which is much higher in fat and more likely to cause stomach upset or pancreatitis in dogs. Even more importantly, cooked turkey leg bones can splinter easily, creating a choking hazard or causing internal injury if swallowed. (PetMD – Turkey for Dogs, PetMD – Bones)

If you want to share Thanksgiving turkey with your dog, stick to plain, fully cooked white meat only—no skin, no seasoning, and absolutely no bones. PetMD notes that treats like turkey should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, and skipping the dark meat or fatty trimmings helps prevent digestive issues. Simple, unseasoned bites are the safest way for your dog to enjoy a little holiday flavor. (PetMD – Safe Holiday Foods)

Safer treat alternatives include fresh apple slices (without seeds), steamed carrots, green beans, or plain pumpkin purée (not pie filling). These snacks are low-fat, dog-friendly, and help your dog feel included in the celebration. But if your dog tends to eat everything in sight, struggles with impulse control, steals food, or has difficulty following basic commands during busy holiday moments, this is the perfect time to give them the structure and training they need.

At Abby’s Dog Daycare, we offer various Training Programs designed to teach or increase your dog’s reliability in basic obedience commands and improve specific behaviors—like food stealing, counter surfing, or ignoring cues during distractions (such as a Thanksgiving feast). During your selected training program, your dog visits our facility and receives personalized, guidance from our professional trainer. The goal is to build better habits, tighter responsiveness, and a calm, well-mannered dog you can trust—especially during the holidays.

If you’re ready for a safer, more enjoyable season for both you and your dog, our training team is here to help. Visit our website www.abbysdogdaycare.com to schedule a FREE evaluation with our on-site trainer!