The turkey comes with a lot of extra parts when you buy it from the store. Not everyone is a fan of the neck or gizzards. If you don’t want to make stock from the neck or mix those gizzards into the stuffing, pass them along to your dog. The gizzards, cooked, of course, make a tasty snack.
There is some disagreement over whether or not dogs can eat turkey necks. The consensus is that dogs should never eat a cooked turkey neck as the cooking process makes the bones too brittle.
You can find dehydrated turkey necks sold as dog treats online, and fans of raw dog food diets recommend feeding raw turkey necks since your dog will benefit from the glucosamine in the bones; on top of that, the act of chewing is good for their dental health. The choice is yours, but if you do decide to toss the turkey neck to your dog, be sure to supervise.
Turkey tails come with the same warning. These are bony pieces, but the bones are thicker and less brittle than other poultry bones, especially when raw. These are also sold by raw food companies and should be fed at your own risk and only under supervision.
Keep in mind that if you do give these to your dog, bones can also form intestinal obstructions that require surgery to rectify.
While you might not find turkey tendons in your turkey, you can still find them in a pet store. Turkey tendons are a delicious treat for dogs. They are also low in fat, easy to digest, and high in protein. If you happen to butcher your own turkey, toss the tendons to the side, and dry them for your dog.
