“YES.” Dogs can eat turkey bacon seldom in moderation; It is safest among the forms of bacon. Regular Turkey contains a rich source of phosphorus, riboflavin, and protein. Since it is low in fat compared to pork bacon, you can feed turkey bacon to dogs.
Table of Contents
What Is a Turkey Bacon?
Turkey bacon is a meat preparation made by deboning, chopping, or grounding the turkey breasts, which is pressed to look like the traditional bacon. It is a low-fat and low-calorie alternative to traditional pork bacon. You can use it to make turkey ham or turkey sausages.
Turkey bacon can be prepared by deep-frying or pan-frying. Cured turkey bacon is made with dark meat and is 90% fat-free.
Is Turkey Bacon Safe for Dogs?
Turkey bacon is safe for dogs, but pet parents must ensure it is occasionally served as a dog treat. However, turkey bacon is safest among other bacon forms. Raw turkey bacon has more fat than cooked meat. So, serve your pet cooked turkey bacon with dog-safe ingredients.
Why is Turkey Bacon Good for Dogs?
Some of the vital nutrients in turkey bacon that is good for your dogs are:
- Since it is low-fat meat, it helps in weight loss.
- The high-protein content in turkey bacon builds strong muscles and gears up the energy level in dogs.
- The presence of fatty acid in turkey bacon improves skin texture giving a smooth, silky, and shiny coat.
- Turkey bacon contains tryptophan which is an amino acid that gives relaxation and a pleasant feeling to dogs.
- Turkey bacon is also a great source of niacin that produces enzymes that help in releasing energy from fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
- Vitamin B12 is found in turkey bacon; this helps reduce homocysteine levels and maintain a healthy heart. A rise in homocysteine levels results in heart diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease. Turkey bacon as an occasional treat in moderation regulates these levels.
Why is Turkey Bacon Bad for Dogs?
Here is a list of points that will let us know why Turkey bacon is harmful to dogs.
- Turkey bacon has saturated fat and sodium with nitrate that is risky for canines. Regularly feeding your dogs turkey bacon can cause an upset stomach leading to bloating, pancreatitis, and obesity.
- Inflammation of the pancreas results in pancreatitis. As a result, your dog suffers from diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and weakness.
- Turkey bacon grease can be toxic to your pups since they are oily.
- It is not recommended for diabetic dogs due to sodium and fat content; it may lead to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
How Much Turkey Bacon to Feed Dogs?
There is no recommended amount prescribed since the quantity varies considering the type of breeds, their weight, age, and sizes. Feeding breeds such as Labrador retrievers a slice of turkey bacon may neither cause harm nor good. Whereas feeding a Chihuahua or breeds like Yorkshire terrier the same amount regularly can cause gastrointestinal upset. Smaller breeds can be fed a slice, and larger breeds a maximum of two pieces a day on a rare occasion. However, providing turkey bacon every day may not be a healthy option for your pets. Their digestive system is sensitive and can cause stomach upset or diarrhea.
Tips on How to Feed Turkey Bacon to Dogs
Even as an occasional treat, it is better to follow the safety guidelines to serve your dog turkey bacon. Following these steps can save you from paying a visit to the vet later.
- Wash the raw turkey bacon thoroughly.
- Ensure that it is cooked thoroughly to avoid bacterial infection.
- Do not overfeed; make sure you feed significantly less if you give for the first time. Do not offer regularly.
- Cut the turkey bacon into small pieces and serve in less quantity. Remember, serving on a large amount can cause an upset stomach, or gulping a whole large slice at once can lead to choking.
- Clean the bacon grease, drain the bacon before you offer.
- Never add salt, seasonings, or ingredients like thyme, garlic, onions, artificial sweeteners.
- You offer the meat in your dog’s regular diet, however, following the 10% rule.
- You can blend the turkey bacon if your dog finds difficulty chewing.
- Ensure there is no bone in the meat.
You can also serve them using the ideas given below:
- As a garnish – Sprinkle the pieces of turkey bacon on their food to add a flavor to their daily dog foods.
- Wrap– Prepare a dog-safe wrap, include a slice or pieces of turkey bacon, and offer it as a reward while training your dog. A healthy reward option your dog will love to relish.
- Salad– Offering a snack that is loaded with cooked veggies, pieces of turkey bacon, some kibbles, along a slice of cheese. A yummy go-to treat is ready to be munched by your dog.
If you are still looking for a delicious option other than the above ideas, our chefs have come with some Dog-Safe Turkey bacon Treat ideas for you:
You can also check this – Turkey Bacon Treats for Your Pets
Turkey Meat Dog Safe treat:
Ingredients:
Deboned Turkey bacon – 1 lb.
Rolled Oats – ½ cup
Eggs – 2
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt – 2 tablespoons
Mixed dog-safe Veggies – 1 cup
Fresh parsley – ¼ cup
Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Put the turkey bacon into the bowl of the blender and blend it well.
Add the rolled oats, blend till they are mixed well.
Add the eggs, yogurt and blend well till the mixture starts binding.
Pour the mixture into a large bowl.
Add veggies, parsley and mix well.
Roll into 1-inch sized balls and place on a parchment sheet.
Bake it for 20 minutes or until it turns golden on the sides.
What If My Dog Ate Turkey Bacon?
If your furry friend has accidentally eaten up the table scraps or leftover turkey bacon on your plate or eaten up excessively, it is better to watch out for the symptoms like
- Stomach Bloating
- Breathing difficulty
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Loss of Appetite
What if your dog ate a cooked turkey bone?
Eating cooked bones will cause internal organ damage. So never leave bones on the table or in areas where dogs are prone to sniff. If you find your dog chewing on bones, either raw or cooked, it is better to call your vet and report the incident.
Alternatives to Turkey Bacon
Feeding Turkey instead of turkey bacon can be a healthy alternative. However, while turkey bacon in itself is an alternative to pork bacon, why should one opt for an alternative to turkey bacon? So, while you are contemplating this line, we will be taking you to the other; why is turkey bacon an alternative to pork bacon?
Turkey bacon vs. Pork bacon
- Turkey bacon contains 218 calories; pork bacon has 268 calories per serving (two ounces).
- The fat content in turkey bacon is 14 grams, whereas, in pork bacon, it is 22 grams.
- Some store-bought turkey bacon may have more sodium than regular bacon.
- So, suppose you approach a nutritionist and see from a nutrition point of view. In that case, you will end up hearing that a slice of pork bacon contains more vitamins and minerals than turkey bacon
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Yes, dogs can eat turkey as they are used in dog foods due to the rich nutrients that are good for dogs’ health.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
No, dogs cannot eat turkey bones as they are hard and brittle while chewing. This causes oral injuries in the mouth and tongue, destruction of the throat, intestinal tract, or lining of the stomach, choking, constipation, rectal bleeding due to sharp pieces of bones. In severe cases, it leads to emergency surgical procedures.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Bacon?
No, dogs should not eat raw turkey bacon. Natural meat is vulnerable to bacterial contamination like trichinosis and salmonella. Hence, it can lead to gastrointestinal illness, liver or kidney failures.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Sausages?
No, dogs should not be fed turkey sausages since they have zero nutritional value. The meat involved in making these sausages is pork, beef, chicken, venison, veal, mutton, and chevon. This might lead to health issues like vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, dental problems, lethargy, loss of appetite, and concentrated urine.
Can Turkey be Harmful to Dogs?
No, Turkey is not harmful. They are included in some dog food to add the goodness of phosphorus, riboflavin, and protein.
Can Bacon Kill a Dog?
Yes, feeding a large amount of bacon can be fatal to dogs.
Can My Dog have a Piece of Bacon?
Yes, a small piece of bacon will not cause significant harm when given seldom.
Can Dogs Eat Processed Turkey Meats?
No, dogs should not eat processed meat. It contains high sodium and causes seizures, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Can I Feed My Dog Regular Turkey more often than Turkey Bacon?
Yes, you can feed regular turkey more than bacon, which would be a healthy option as well.
Can Raw Turkey Bacon be Bad for Dogs?
No, dogs should not be given Raw Turkey Bacon since they cannot digest the high-fat content and causes bacterial and parasitic infections.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bacon Treats?
Yes, dogs can eat turkey bacon treats, provided they are made with dog-safe ingredients.
Final Thoughts:
Amalgamating the points discussed in this article, we conclude that you can give turkey bacon to your dogs on a rare occasion.
