Why
Turkey is the kind of food a cat's body is built for. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that cats must have some animal-based protein in their diet, because plant proteins contain none of the taurine cats need. PetMD's veterinary guide describes plain cooked turkey as low in fat and calories and easy to digest, and notes that it supplies B vitamins, minerals such as selenium, zinc and phosphorus, and naturally occurring taurine.
Plain turkey on its own is still not a complete diet. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that calcium deficiency has occurred in animals fed high- or all-meat diets, which are high in phosphorus and low in calcium. A cat food labeled complete and balanced, including one made with turkey, is formulated to avoid that problem. A bowl of plain turkey is not.
Turkey as it is served at the table is a different food. Holiday turkey is usually seasoned and covered in fatty skin, and PetMD's guide to Thanksgiving foods advises against sharing it with cats because most holiday turkeys contain seasonings that are toxic to them. The same guide calls stuffing very dangerous for cats, because most recipes include onion and some include garlic.
What to watch out for
- Cooked bones, which splinter easily and can injure the mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines
- Skin, greasy drippings and fatty dark meat, which can cause vomiting or diarrhea
- Seasonings, stuffing and rubs made with onion or garlic. Cats are even more susceptible to these than dogs
- Deli turkey, turkey bacon and turkey sausage, which are usually high in sodium and may contain preservatives and nitrates
- Raw or undercooked turkey, which can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli
- Portions so large that your cat eats less of its own food
How to serve it
- Bake, boil or broil the turkey with nothing added: no salt, oil, butter, herbs or spices. Cook it all the way through, and do not deep-fry it.
- If you are roasting a holiday bird, set aside a piece of plain meat for your cat before any seasoning, butter or gravy touches it.
- Let it cool to room temperature, then remove all skin and bones.
- Cut it into small bites about the size of the tip of your thumb.
- Offer it as a treat on its own, mix it into your cat's regular food, or put it in a food puzzle toy.
- If your cat has a health condition or eats a prescription diet, ask your vet before offering turkey.
How much?
PetMD's veterinary guide suggests a bite of plain cooked turkey about the size of the tip of your thumb, with all treats kept to no more than 10% of a cat's daily calories. PetMD's Thanksgiving guide describes about a 1-inch cube as a serving. Start with a tiny piece and watch for vomiting or diarrhea before working up to a full portion.
Can cats eat deli turkey or turkey bacon?
Deli turkey, turkey bacon and turkey sausage are not good choices for cats. PetMD's veterinary guide notes that these processed products are usually high in sodium and may contain seasonings, preservatives or nitrates. Turkey bacon is not toxic, but the guide warns that regularly eating salty, preserved meat could worsen high blood pressure, heart disease or obesity.
Salt is a problem in larger amounts too. The ASPCA warns that too much salt can cause increased thirst and urination, and that signs of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, seizures and even death. Plain turkey you cook yourself avoids all of this.
Thanksgiving turkey and holiday leftovers
Thanksgiving turkey is the version most likely to make a cat sick. PetMD's guide to Thanksgiving foods says any turkey a cat eats should be unseasoned and cooked, and recommends removing the skin, which may carry added seasoning. Onion and garlic contain sulfur compounds that damage red blood cells and can lead to anemia, and the ASPCA notes that cats are more susceptible to them than dogs.
A holiday table holds other hazards for cats:
- Stuffing, which usually contains onion and sometimes garlic
- Greasy pan drippings and turkey skin
- Carcasses and bones left on plates, on the counter or in an open trash bag
- Unbaked yeast dough, which PetMD lists as a possible source of alcohol exposure
Why are turkey bones dangerous for cats?
Turkey bones should never be given to cats. PetMD's guide to Thanksgiving foods explains that bird bones are fragile and splinter easily, and the sharp pieces can injure a cat's mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines. The ASPCA notes that bones can also block the digestive tract, and such injuries may need surgery.
If your cat has eaten a turkey bone, the skin, or a large amount of seasoned turkey, PetMD's veterinary guide advises contacting your vet, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.
Common questions
Is turkey good for cats?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Turkey is the kind of food a cat's body is built for. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that cats must have some animal-based protein in their diet, because plant proteins contain none of the taurine cats need.
Is turkey bad for cats?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: cooked bones, which splinter easily and can injure the mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines.
Are cats allowed to have turkey?
Yes. Bake, boil or broil the turkey with nothing added: no salt, oil, butter, herbs or spices. Cook it all the way through, and do not deep-fry it.
Can cats eat raw turkey?
No. Turkey should always be cooked before a cat eats it. The ASPCA warns that raw meat can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can harm pets and people alike.
Can cats eat ground turkey?
Yes, if it is plain and cooked all the way through. PetMD's veterinary guide says cooked ground turkey is fine for cats as long as it has no seasonings such as onion or garlic.
Can I give my cat turkey every day?
Most healthy adult cats can have a small piece of plain cooked turkey daily. PetMD's veterinary guides say turkey bites can be a daily treat for healthy cats with no underlying medical conditions, as long as treats stay under 10% of daily calories.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Turkey? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- PetMD. What Thanksgiving Foods Can Cats Eat? (Jennifer Coates, DVM)
- PetMD. What Human Food Can Cats Eat? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- ASPCA. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases of Small Animals.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.