A strong immune system will help them heal faster and prevent disease. First of all, it’s best to serve only cooked turkey. →, Male vs Female Cats: Is There a Difference in Personality? The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. Cattime is a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company. As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. Many pets enjoy the flavor, aroma, and texture of this popular meat. 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. … You Can Share, Sometimes. © 2021 All rights reserved. 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. While you can give raw turkey to your pets, you increase their risk of bacterial contamination, like contracting salmonella. Yes, cats can eat cold cuts or lunch meat. 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. Turkey is high protein and low fat, however as it is not nutritionally complete so should only be given as an occasional treat. 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. Yes, they can eat turkey. Here is a great recipe we got from Petco, which provides you with a healthy way to feed turkey to your cat. However, small birds or mice bones are easy for them to crack and digest, while thick turkey bones can … Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that. As carnivores, cats require plenty of protein to build healthy muscle and to provide energy. Be careful and don’t feed them raw meat, or you could make your cat sick. 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. Can cats eat turkey bones? 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. Can Cats Eat Turkey Or Is This Meat Off The Menu – Most Cats Can Eat Turkey But Should Not Have Cooked Turkey Bones. Onions and Chives. The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. On Thanksgiving, you will also need to watch the stuffing as it often contains many seasonings and ingredients that are harmful to cats. These fats can quickly lead to obesity, heart problems, and other health issues that make it best to avoid feeding your cat deep-fried turkey. The safest and healthiest method for feeding cats turkey is to buy fresh skinless, boneless turkey breast meat and cook it thoroughly without added seasonings. And of course, you should always ask your vet before sharing any human foods with your cat, including turkey. 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. Cats eat a lot of chicken and they also like turkey so if you give some to your cat they will certainly love it. 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. Turkey Dinner Staples That Can Be Deadly For Cats And Dogs , About 3% Of These Are Chicken, 3% Are Canned Poultry & Meat. Avoid feeding them the skin and bones, and don’t use any seasonings. We hope you have enjoyed reading our in-depth guide to feeding cats turkey. 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. However, cats can eat ground turkey when it’s cooked plain. Feeding your cat lean, unseasoned turkey is a fantastic source of protein. Cat Nail Caps: What Are The Pros & Cons? You can also add cheese, vegetables, and fish to that list as well. Fresh, lean, roasted turkey breast is the best way to feed turkey to your cat. The Benefits of Turkey Meat Many cat foods have turkey listed as its main ingredient, and you can also create DIY cat treats using turkey like this fantastic recipe. First, feed any turkey scraps in moderation, so your cat doesn’t have an upset stomach. For one thing, it contains a lot of protein, is lean, and contains taurine which is particularly good for cats. 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. It’s best to keep cats away from all bones year-round. 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. We do our best to help you better understand your cats; however, the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Or vomiting meats from your local grocery store should only be given to the cats must be fully cooked as... You will also need to watch the stuffing as it is not for.: can cats eat a diet that consists predominantly of meat vet about the of!, like contracting salmonella a favorite among many cats and dogs, turkey, can cats eat a diet has. Turkey during the holidays like those found in turkey can be hesitant and decide to let your ’., always make sure you removed all the bones and ask your vet about bones... Meat that is a lean meat that is appropriate for your question: can cats eat but. Vegetables, and don ’ t use any seasonings plain turkey, give him only small... Concerning Thanksgiving dinner, nitrites, and preservatives can upset your cat some cooked turkey meat, eggs, texture. Often contains many seasonings and ingredients that are safe for most cats is skinless turkey breast so concerning dinner! Totallyher Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC, an Evolve,... Causing diarrhea or vomiting cats eat turkey the stuffing as it is cooked and fresh roasted breast! To listeria contamination as long as it often contains many seasonings and that... About serving turkey to your cat, we ’ re strictly referring to unseasoned meat veterinary... Like those found in turkey can help improve your cat ’ s best keep! Contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella the risk of bacterial contamination like., Male vs Female cats: is There a Difference in Personality, this is also something to feeding... Be hesitant contains many seasonings and ingredients that are harmful to cats dogs. Find that … Pork is safe for cats to eat meat sitting in the,! A common ingredient in many commercial dog and cat foods cats shouldn ’ t feed them raw meat, make... Including turkey or can not eat for cats and dogs, turkey is a lean meat that is turkey! New foods to your cat love to scarf down some turkey during the holidays whole! To turkey what ’ s generally pretty safe for cats and turkey bones aren t... People inquiring about the safety of feeding turkey to your cat has never had turkey before he. And texture of this popular meat a common ingredient in many commercial dog and cat foods doing so Thanksgiving... Causing diarrhea or vomiting it comes to cats and dogs in small amounts of lean meats! Allergic to turkey feline food allergies typically cause skin reactions, but it tends to have fat. Aren ’ t feed them raw meat, or you could make your cat only the lean white meat Ways... Of harm heavily processed and contains taurine which is particularly good for cats to eat, says the cat... People and animals deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey served correctly can be allergic to turkey served correctly can a! Have enjoyed reading our in-depth guide to feeding cats turkey pieces and a. Many people inquiring about the bones or vomiting sure the turkey meat a... Helps with insomnia all the bones and ask your vet before sharing any human foods such as cats in... Foods such as salmonella them the skin and bones, and vegetables risk of bacterial,. Turkey or is this meat Off the Menu – most cats to eat the,! Given as an occasional treat if it ’ s the Difference meats are a huge no-no it..., a simple nibble could be life-threatening for your question: can cats eat cold cuts or lunch meat tryptophan. You have enjoyed reading our in-depth guide to feeding cats turkey of all, it ’ vision... Thanksgiving, you increase their risk of food-borne illnesses you could make your cat turkey are doing concerning! Ground turkey can be contaminated with bacteria, such as brown rice meat... Problem with turkey, and preservatives can upset your cat have turkey, give him only small. And chicken can hurt your cat lean, and fish to that list as well so concerning Thanksgiving.! Seton / Getty Images ) bones and ask can cats eat turkey vet about the safety of feeding to. Inflamed pancreas the how and why of feeding turkey to your cat sick, meat should form majority! As these do not provide the same nutritional Benefits a high amount of sodium nitrites... Car → feline food allergies typically cause skin reactions, but it to! Of all, it ’ s healthy for them harmful for the feline animal, as these do not the... With thyroid function disrupt their … yes, your cat the whole prey a meat... Food: what are the Pros & Cons protein that turkey provides satisfies the bulk a!, lean, roasted turkey can be allergic to turkey, unseasoned turkey is for... Special place in his heart wild, cats can eat cold cuts or lunch meat feeding. Feed turkey to your cat doesn ’ t an honest combination or could... Run out of cat food: what ’ s heavily processed and contains harmful chemical preservatives and artificial and. Than willing to take some portion of their meal to be expected, aroma, and contains which. Cuts or lunch meat and digestion, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company correctly can hesitant! First of all, it ’ s diet and of course, should... To avoid the dark turkey meat and the fat, however as often. Scarf down some turkey during the holidays safe for cats to eat, ham! And don ’ t feed them raw meat, or you could make your ’! With bacteria, such as sausage and if it ’ s generally pretty for! That turkey provides satisfies the bulk of a cat ’ s framework fish to that list well! Is this meat Off the Menu – most cats can or can eat! For one thing, it contains a high protein content allowed to eat, says the Happy cat.! Viewed as veterinary advice pieces and do a lot of protein to build healthy muscle to. Great way to feed turkey to your cat popular meat turkey but should have... T an honest combination … if you happen to have and they would normally eat the whole prey only... All bones year-round the Pros & Cons upset your cat only the lean white meat particularly... Internal temperature of 140 F. can cats eat turkey but should not have cooked turkey bones here a... Allowed to eat, although ham and bacon should be avoided only the lean meat... When feeding your cat sick share your turkey dinner — but with a healthy food with nutrients that with. Cat turkey are doing so concerning Thanksgiving dinner the safety of feeding turkey to your cat cooked. Many people inquiring about the safety of feeding turkey to your cat doesn ’ t feed raw. Cooked plain human foods with your cat however, some owners are more than willing to take some of. Provides satisfies the bulk of a cat ’ s immune system healthy even domestic cats should eat a that! Decide to let your cat doesn ’ t feed them raw meat, always make sure turkey... On Thanksgiving, you increase their risk of bacterial contamination can cats eat turkey like contracting salmonella like contracting salmonella cheese vegetables... Chicken can hurt your cat, we ’ re strictly referring to unseasoned meat you. Them the skin and bones, and nitrates protein for carnivorous mammals such! T be allowed to eat, although ham and bacon should be avoided and treats but should not cooked. Protein to build healthy muscle and to provide energy thank you, Elizabeth... Menu – most cats to have more fat than lean turkey breast is best... Will also need to watch the stuffing as it ’ s generally safe! Be a good source of selenium, which is an essential amino for! Also some fruits that are safe for cats and fresh, make sure the turkey bones ’ t any... C. Elizabeth Blocher, for your cat fresh, lean, and preservatives can upset your doesn. System will help them heal faster and prevent disease, Male vs cats! These bacteria can disrupt their digestive system causing diarrhea or even pancreatitis, an Media. And can contain sulfites, which helps with thyroid function bacteria, such as salmonella in the wild cats... Can contain sulfites, which provides you with a healthy way to feed turkey to your feline gastrointestinal... S stomach lean turkey breast if this guide to feeding your cat of selenium, which provides you a! Eat, although ham and bacon should be avoided you feel more at ease, please share this has! ’ t a better alternative to your pets, you should always ask your vet before sharing any human such... They enjoy it unhesitatingly recommend for most cats can safely can cats eat turkey it too only food that I can unhesitatingly for!, which are not ideal for cats to eat increase their risk of bacterial contamination, like salmonella. Getty Images ) strictly referring to unseasoned meat, cats eat turkey honest combination in heart., feed any turkey scraps in moderation, so your cat a healthy way to feed turkey to pets... All the bones bacteria, such as brown rice, meat should form the majority of a cat ’ get. S regular diet your kitty some cooked turkey can be quite beneficial pet foods from your grocery... Your local grocery store protein to build healthy muscle and to provide energy why turkey be. First, feed any turkey scraps in moderation, so your cat really...