There is no denying that turkey sausages can be irresistibly tasty. Then it’s easy to see why Fido is pleading with wide, puppy-dog eyes for some of that delicious turkey sausage you’ve been enjoying.
But does it follow that pets should indulge in as many turkey sausages as their owners do? So, does “can” mean “should”?
Here are all the reasons why you shouldn’t make sausages and dog treats out of your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Sausage?
Turkey sausage links are probably best avoided as much as possible when feeding your dog. Dogs shouldn’t eat commercial sausages because they are loaded with potentially toxic spices, salts, grease, and fat. Additionally, your dog’s digestive system will not thank you for feeding it processed meats.
Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog Turkey Sausages
Both store-bought and homemade turkey sausages are sure to be devoured eagerly by your dog.
It’s tempting to give in to the idea that your dog deserves delicious, appetizing foods as treats, and turkey sausages fit the bill perfectly.
Just because your dog can “eat” a turkey sausage doesn’t mean you should give it to him or her. The same goes for any other kind of sausage, but that’s a different story.
Commercial sausages, in particular, tend to be loaded with salt, seasoning, fat, grease, onion, and garlic. You can’t be sure that any one of these ingredients is toxic to your dog, but together they make up a very dangerous cocktail.
In general, sausages are too fatty to be a regular part of your dog’s diet and, over time, can lead to health problems like heart disease, kidney failure, and pancreatitis. Turkey sausages are just as bad for dogs as pork or beef sausages because they are soaked in fat and often contain spices that are toxic to canines.
Finally, your dog’s digestive system will suffer in the short and long terms from consuming processed meat.
Some pet owners even liberally drizzle turkey sausage grease over their dog’s or cat’s food, which may make their canine companion very happy in the moment but can lead to a number of unpleasant health problems down the road, such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
This grease is extremely unhealthy for dogs, especially those with preexisting conditions like heart disease or pancreatitis due to the high levels of fat and salt it contains.
In place of fresh garlic and onions, some turkey sausages may use a powdered form. This will not improve their health and will actually make your dog more toxic and susceptible to anemia.
Wait—Isn’t Turkey Good for Dogs?
This is a reasonable concern given the prevalence of dog food brands that include turkey in their kibble. Why not? Turkey is loaded with healthy stuff like phosphorus, protein, and riboflavin.
Turkey, when prepared without salt, pepper, or any other seasonings, is a highly nutritious addition to your dog’s diet.
Turkey in its most basic form leaves little to be desired in terms of health, being low in calories and high in selenium and tryptophan content, both of which are great for your dog’s immune system.
However, you almost never prepare turkey plain when cooking it for yourself, such as on Thanksgiving. There will be a variety of seasonings and aromatics added to the turkey, including butter, oil, spices, salt, herbs, pepper, garlic, onions, and stuffing.
Though we might find this irresistible, our canine companions certainly do not. Instead, you can count on experiencing stomach pain and possibly even pancreatitis as a result.
No Homemade, Raw, Cooked or Dark Turkey Either?
We’ve already established that turkey is high in protein and other healthy nutrients. So, the turkey is fine for your dog to eat; it’s the sausages that should be avoided. Turkey sausages contain a lot of turkey meat; do you think you could incorporate them into your dog’s diet?
Homemade Sausages
You can provide a very healthy meal for your dog by cooking a turkey at home and not seasoning it in any way. Sausage links made from plainly prepared turkey are a tasty option.
Raw Sausage
Raw meat for canine diets has become a popular trend in recent years. Many dog owners advocate for this diet, saying it’s better for their pet and more in line with his or her natural eating habits.
This doesn’t, however, mean you should feed your dog raw sausage; a properly seasoned, fatty, greasy, perfectly shaped turkey sausage isn’t something your dog is likely to find in the wild.
Regardless, there is a higher risk of getting sick from eating raw meat due to the bacteria and salmonella that can be found on it.
And even if you feed your dog raw turkey sausages, the seasoning and fat are still there and will harm them. Raw meat is not recommended by many veterinarians, especially for sick or young dogs.
therefore, raw turkey sausages are a no-go.
Dark Turkey Meat
The white part of the turkey is fine, but what about the dark? Is it safe to give this to your dog?
It turns out you can do that! Darker meat is muscle, which is because muscle contains more of the pigment myoglobin. You can make your dog a healthy sausage out of that thigh meat.
Cooked Sausages
Undoubtedly, cooked meat is better for you than raw meat, and it can be a great source of lean protein.
However, the seasoning, fat, and grease are already present, as they are with raw sausages, and they will not disappear with a brief pan sear. The seasoning and fat are still there after cooking.
But My Dog Really Seems to Enjoy Turkey Sausages!
Truth be told, dogs don’t have the most refined palates and will eagerly devour anything put in front of them, from dead squirrels to poop.
Despite the fact that your dog’s pleading gaze may seem to emanate from a place of great need, you shouldn’t give in to it; he’s just being himself.
However, if your dog insists on eating turkey, here are some ways to give it to him or her safely, without resorting to turkey sausages.
- Throw away the skin because it’s full of unhealthy fat and seasonings for canines. The pancreatitis and stomach irritation they cause in dogs is real.
- Only eat premium cuts of meat.
- In case you missed it, let me say it again: onion and garlic are not permitted.
- To begin, try incorporating turkey scraps into your dog’s food in very small amounts. Keep an eye on the reaction and talk to your vet if necessary.
- Make sure there aren’t any bones in the meat, as they become very brittle when cooked and can get stuck anywhere because of their small size. Choking, tongue and mouth injuries, intestinal tract obstruction, tracheoesophageal blockage, rectal bleeding from sharp fragments, constipation, and piercing of the stomach and intestinal lining are all possible outcomes of ingesting bones.
What If My Dog Sneakily Gets His Paws on Turkey Sausage?
Try not to freak out; a little bit won’t do much, if any, damage. You shouldn’t worry unless you see any signs of illness or unusual behavior in your dog within the next 24 hours, but even larger amounts may be fine for him.
Here are some of the warning signs to keep an eye out for:
- Loss of Appetite
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Stained urination
Always consult your veterinarian when in doubt.
Alternatives to Turkey Sausage
Even if you don’t want to feed your dog turkey sausages or table scraps this Thanksgiving, there are other ways to incorporate turkey into your dog’s diet.
Turkey bone broth has all the health benefits of the bone and meat without the dangers of raw meat or strong seasonings.
Turkey meatballs are another alternative. Make sure the meatballs are unseasoned by making them at home.
Eggs and almond flour are great options for binding the meatballs together. The former is a wholesome protein source, and the latter is a flour made without grains or gluten that will be easy on your dog’s digestive system.
The Bottom Line
You can feed your dog turkey sausage, but only if it is cooked plain and free of fat, grease, seasoning, and spices. These are however always present in store-bought sausages, so it is best to avoid those.
There are many healthier options for treating your dog with turkey if you absolutely must. Your dog will enjoy plainly cooked meat scraps (whether dark or white meat). As was previously mentioned, it is not the turkey itself but rather the additives that make the food harmful to canines.
Remember your dog’s calorie needs when preparing a meal of turkey sausages (the right kind). You should avoid feeding your dog too much food that will make him fat.
You might only be able to give a couple of sausages to a small dog. You should figure out how many calories your dog needs based on its breed; typically, this is 25 calories per pound of body weight, though this can vary greatly depending on a wide range of factors.
Therefore, it is essential to eat a well-rounded diet, especially when consuming turkey sausages. The recipes are meant to be used as a treat now and then, not as a main course every day. If you must give a treat, opt for homemade items free of unhealthy seasonings and fat.
Always consult your vet before deciding to feed your dog turkey sausages or any other novel food.
The moral of the story is that your dog is not a quick and easy way to dispose of Thanksgiving leftovers, and that fixing up a plate of leftovers, no matter how well-intentioned you are, could cause your dog extreme discomfort or even pain.
Avoid the urge to overdo it on the turkey and give your dog a turkey sausage as a treat; there are many other options, such as healthy turkey treats and turkey-flavored chew toys, that can serve the same purpose and even be better for your dog.