Turkey

Turkey is a lean poultry used as a protein source in dog and cat foods, supplying protein of good biological value, B-group vitamins, selenium and phosphorus. Its fat content is generally moderate, especially for the breast, which makes it suited to energy-controlled formulas. Turkey is often offered as an alternative to chicken for animals sensitive to the latter, but this logic has a clear limit: turkey and chicken are closely related, so cross-reactivity remains possible in an animal allergic to chicken, even if it is not systematic (veterinary literature). Turkey is therefore not a reliable novel protein for a dog already sensitised to poultry, where a more distinct source such as [duck](/glossary/duck), [rabbit](/glossary/rabbit) or [venison](/glossary/venison-deer) is a safer choice for an [elimination diet](/glossary/elimination-diet). On a label, fresh turkey should be distinguished from turkey meal, a concentrated water-free ingredient, and the word turkey does not always state the proportion of muscle, bone or by-products, so manufacturer transparency helps judge real value (NRC, 2006). The marker: turkey is a good lean protein, useful for varying sources, but its closeness to chicken limits its value as a strict elimination protein. Weigh it against other [poultry fat](/glossary/poultry-fat) and meat choices in the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary).

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