Can cats eat turkey? This is a question you might have thought about, especially during the traditional holiday season when turkey forms the basis of many of our festive feasts. So if humans can eat turkey, can cats safely eat it too?
The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat turkey. As obligate carnivores, meat should form the majority of a cat’s diet. So turkey can definitely become part of your feline’s meal times; although, there are some safety considerations to take note of before you go ahead and serve up the bird.
And of course, you should always ask your vet before sharing any human foods with your cat, including turkey. Let’s get into the how and why of feeding turkey to your cat.
How Is Turkey Good For Cats?
Put simply, turkey is good for cats due to the high amount of protein it provides, as long as you’re serving lean meat.
The sort of protein that turkey provides satisfies the bulk of a cat’s nutritional needs. Turkey also includes taurine, which is an essential amino acid for cats and helps with the animal’s vision and digestion. Crucially, taurine assists with keeping a feline’s immune system healthy.
So from a nutritional point of view, turkey served correctly can be good for your cat.
How Can I Safely Give Turkey To My Cat?
First of all, it’s best to serve only cooked turkey. While cats can eat raw meats in some cases, it’s usually advised against serving raw meat stocked in supermarkets and stores to cats due to potential issues, including salmonella and listeria.
Also, serve your cat only the lean, white meat. Avoid the dark turkey meat and the fat, as these do not provide the same nutritional benefits.
When it comes to the mechanics of serving turkey to your cat, make sure to keep bones away from the feline because these can become choking hazards.
If you happen to have slices of turkey lunch meat sitting in the fridge, this is also something to avoid feeding your cat. Additional added sodium, flavorings, and preservatives can upset your cat’s stomach.
Does your cat love to scarf down some turkey during the holidays? How do you go about serving turkey to your cat? Let us know in the comments below!
