Turkey dog treats
Turkey treats sit in the same space as chicken or beef treats for most dogs — a palatable, protein-based reward rather than anything with a specific medical benefit — but turkey's leaner fat content and lower profile as a common allergen make it a popular choice for dogs on a limited-ingredient diet or those who've shown sensitivity to more common proteins.
Why turkey works well as a treat protein
Turkey is naturally lower in fat than most cuts of beef or lamb, which matters if you're giving treats regularly to a dog who also needs to watch their weight — the calories add up less quickly than with a fattier protein. Lily's Kitchen's Senior Dog Turkey & White Fish Treats is one example built specifically with an older dog's needs in mind, combining turkey with fish rather than a single protein alone.
Turkey is also used less often than chicken across the wider treat market, which is exactly why it gets chosen for dogs who've shown or are suspected to have a chicken sensitivity — a different, less familiar protein is less likely to trigger the same reaction, though it's not a guaranteed substitute.
Checking what else is in the treat
A treat named for turkey doesn't automatically mean turkey is the only ingredient — check the full list if you're specifically trying to limit your dog to one protein, since some treats blend turkey with other meats or flavourings. A genuinely single-ingredient or limited-ingredient product will say so clearly on the packet.
Also worth checking is whether the treat is a genuine dried meat product or a baked biscuit-style treat that simply uses turkey as a flavouring. Both are perfectly reasonable treats, but they're nutritionally quite different, and if you're choosing turkey specifically for the lean-protein benefit, a genuine meat-based treat delivers more of that than a turkey-flavoured biscuit does.
Feeding treats sensibly alongside a normal diet
Treats, whatever the protein, should stay a small proportion of a dog's daily food intake — a common guide is no more than around ten percent of total calories, though this varies with the individual dog and treat. Turkey treats being lean doesn't mean they're calorie-free, and a generous handful several times a day adds up the same as any other treat would.
If you're using turkey treats specifically because of a suspected sensitivity elsewhere in your dog's diet, introduce them gradually the same as any new food and keep half an eye on stools and skin for the first week or two, mentioning anything persistent to your vet.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Calm the Eff Down Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured calming tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack and given as a treat for dogs who find fireworks, travel or being alone difficult.
£22.99
Stop Bloody Scratching Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack, given daily as a treat to support skin and coat condition in itchy dogs.
£22.99
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 8pk
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
James Wellbeloved Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for adult cats, without the grain-free or joint-support extras
From£21.79
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Catit Creamy Tuna Treats 4 Pk
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Common questions
- Are turkey treats good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
- They can be, since turkey is lean and used less often than chicken or beef, making it a reasonable alternative for a dog with a suspected sensitivity to more common proteins. It isn't a guaranteed fix, though, and a persistent issue is worth discussing with your vet.
- Are turkey dog treats suitable for senior dogs?
- Many are, and some, like a turkey and fish treat range, are specifically formulated with an older dog's needs in mind. Check the individual product's labelling for life-stage suitability rather than assuming turkey alone makes it appropriate for a senior dog.
- How many turkey treats can I give my dog a day?
- As a general guide, treats of any kind are usually kept to around ten percent or less of a dog's daily calorie intake, though this varies with the dog's size and activity. Check the packet's guidance and adjust their main meals if you're giving treats regularly.
- Is turkey treat the same as a hypoallergenic treat?
- Not automatically. Turkey is less commonly implicated in food sensitivities than chicken or beef, but a dog can still react to it, and 'hypoallergenic' isn't a regulated term. Check the full ingredients list rather than relying on the word turkey alone.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.