Your cat might be one of the smallest members of your family, but they likely have a big presence in your household, so when Thanksgiving festivities roll around, you might want to share some of the holiday fun with them and wonder, can cats eat turkey?
The answer is yes—it’s perfectly fine to feed your cat small pieces of plain, cooked, boneless, skinless turkey in moderation. For more details on how to safely feed your feline bits of Thanksgiving turkey, read on for expert advice from a veterinarian.
Can cats eat turkey?
Yes, cats can eat turkey, according to Dr. Briana Robinson, a DVM at Countryside Veterinary Hospital in Toney, Alabama, but there are some essential guidelines to follow to ensure your pet’s safety. “If you want your cat to share in the holiday festivities with you, non-seasoned, baked or broiled turkey breast pieces would be the safest turkey treats,” she tells ParadePets exclusively.
Turkey is generally safe for cats and is a protein source commonly used in pet foods, she explains, adding that “There are many great diets that have turkey, such as Hill’s Savory Turkey cans and pouches and Purina Pro Plan turkey entrees—so there’ s a good chance your cat has eaten turkey (in some form or fashion) previously.
“The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets the standards for safe foods for your pet,” Dr. Robinson says, which is why she recommends only feeding your cat turkey products that have AAFCO approval.
How to safely feed turkey to cats
While turkey is generally safe for cats to eat, here are some parameters to keep in mind:
- Only serve cooked turkey: Raw poultry, including turkey, carries a risk of harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which can lead to serious illness in both cats and humans. By cooking the turkey properly, you kill any harmful bacteria.
- Skip seasonings and gravy: Seasonings like garlic, onions, salt, pepper, and other herbs can be toxic to cats or cause gastrointestinal issues, which is why only plain, cooked turkey is appropriate. “Do not feed your cat seasoned turkeys, turkeys with gravy, or fried turkey,” Dr. Robinson says.
- Avoid turkey lunch meats: While unseasoned baked or broiled turkey is fine to share with your cat in moderation, Dr. Robinson advises, “Do not use lunch meats or canned or packaged human products as they have salt your cat does not need.” In fact, consuming too much sodium can lead to serious health problems, including kidney damage and high blood pressure.
- Remove skin, excess fat, and bones: “Do not feed (cats) the skin,” Dr. Robinson says, since it is high in fat, which can lead to digestive upset. For this same reason, skip feeding your cat any bits of turkey fat and stick to pieces of lean protein instead. Finally, don’t give cats any pieces of turkey that contain bones, since they could pose a choking hazard or potentially splinter when digested.
- Keep portion sizes small: Pieces of plain, cooked, boneless, skinless turkey should only be fed to your cat as an occasional treat since “Adding turkey to an already balanced diet is unnecessary,” Dr. Robinson explains. “All cats have an ideal caloric intake based on their lifestyle, size, and stage of life,” which is why treats, such as pieces of turkey, should be limited to about 10% of your pet’s total caloric intake.“For example, a fairly lazy, 10-pound, indoor, neutered adult cat would need about 220 kcals total per day, including treats,” she explains—and since just 3 ounces of plain, roasted turkey breast contains about 135 calories, you should not exceed approximately ½-ounce of turkey as a treat.
Potential risks of feeding turkey to cats
While turkey is less likely to cause allergic reactions in your cat compared to other meats, it’s still a good idea to introduce it slowly and watch for any signs of allergies, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and skin issues.
“Gastroenteritis or colitis (inflammation of the stomach/small intestines/colon) can occur with any diet change,” Dr. Robinson says. So “If you notice vomiting or diarrhea (after feeding your cat turkey), I recommend seeing your vet and discontinuing the turkey diet.”
