There are many dog owners that are surprised to see turkey added to the list of ingredients in many dog foods these days but they should not be. The truth is that turkey meal dog food can be really good for your loved furry friend. Plain turkey, which means no garlic, onions, butter, seasonings or salt, is very good and completely safe for a dog. However, this does not mean that you can choose the very first turkey dog food you find in the pet store and expect great quality.

Unfortunately, turkey did get a bad reputation in the past few years. This is because of confusion that appeared in regards to turkey safety when added to pet food. Even so, turkey is safe to eat for all dogs, with just some minor exceptions.

Take a look at kibble and canned food. You will notice that there are many products that actually have turkey listed as an ingredient. However, this does not mean that this meat is always a good choice since some of the dog food manufacturers are not using really good meat sources. Because of the fact that it is better to be completely safe at all times, you have to be aware of some things. Dogs can definitely eat turkey, but you should remember this as you choose the meat source for your loved pet:

• If you want to make a really healthy choice, it is important that the turkey source is actually lean meat. This means white meat that does have skin removed and all the excess fat is not there. When lean meat is added to dog food, it stands out as a very good source of nutrients and protein. The dogs actually love it more when it is lean.
• Do not give your dog really rich turkey pieces like the fatty areas and skin. Also, do avoid offering turkey legs. This is not at all a good idea. All veterinarians caution against the fact that dogs should not eat extremely fatty, rich foods since it would lead to a condition called pancreatitis. The dog ends up with a pancreas that is swollen and inflamed. The condition is really painful and it can be quite serious. Some of the symptoms the dog would experience include loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. It is better to give your dog turkey dog food that is manufactured by a firm that really knows what it is doing.
• With plain ground turkey, which means turkey without additives or spices, you take the exact same precautions as with plain regular turkey. It can be used as a tasty topper for the dog’s wet food or kibble. Turkey meatloaf can also be cooked, just like many other dishes with the meat. However, you might want to avoid the hassle and opt for already-manufactured dog food with turkey.
• When it comes to turkey bones, it is important that you never give them to your dog. This is because bones can easily break. They can potentially lacerate parts of the dog’s digestive tract. Also, turkey bones are a dangerous choking hazard.