🤎Yeori Day 🤎

As a family, we’re always looking for safe and nutritious ways to add variety to Yeoreum’s meals.

Yeoreum is my 10-year-old Shih Tzu, and as he has gotten older, I’ve become more careful about what goes into his bowl. I pay attention not only to the main ingredients but also to how each food is prepared and how he reacts to it.

Recently, I decided to try turkey drumstick as a new protein source. 🦃

This post is simply a record of my personal experience with Yeoreum. I’m not a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist, so this is not professional medical or nutritional advice. Every dog is different, especially dogs with allergies or health conditions, so it’s always important to consider your own dog’s individual needs.

Why I Chose Turkey 🦃

Yeoreum has a food allergy to chicken, so I’m always cautious when introducing poultry-based foods.

Turkey is also poultry, but it is a different protein source from chicken. Because Yeoreum has tolerated some other foods well, I wanted to carefully see how he would respond to turkey.

I started with a small amount rather than making a sudden change to his entire diet.

For me, introducing a new ingredient slowly is much less stressful than changing several things at once. That way, if something doesn’t agree with him, it is easier to identify what caused the problem.

How I Prepared the Turkey Drumstick 🍲

I chose to boil the turkey drumstick rather than season or roast it.

I kept the preparation very simple:

1. Place the turkey drumstick in a pot with water.
2. Cook it thoroughly until the meat is fully done.
3. Let it cool before handling.
4. Remove the bones completely.
5. Remove excess skin and fat as needed.
6. Shred the meat into small, bite-sized pieces.
7. Serve an appropriate amount with his regular meal.

I didn’t add salt, seasoning, sauces, garlic, onions, or other ingredients that aren’t appropriate for dogs.

One important point: never feed cooked bones.

Cooked poultry bones can become brittle and splinter, which can be dangerous for dogs. I always remove the bone completely before giving turkey meat to Yeoreum.

How I Served It to Yeoreum 🐶

Yeoreum normally eats homemade meals twice a day.

I often prepare vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, broccoli, and pumpkin, lightly cook them, portion them, and freeze them for convenience. When preparing his meals, I combine an appropriate amount of protein with his vegetables and supplements.

When I first introduced turkey, I kept the portion small.

I wanted to observe his reaction rather than simply assume that he would tolerate a new food because it is generally considered suitable for dogs.

After eating it, I watched for any unusual changes such as digestive upset, itching, redness, or other signs that might suggest the food was not agreeing with him.

Did Yeoreum Like It? 🤎

The good news is that Yeoreum ate the turkey well. 🐶🤎

He seemed to enjoy the new protein, and seeing him happily eat a meal I prepared for him was probably the best part.

Of course, enjoying a food and tolerating a food are two different things. That’s why I prefer to watch his response over time instead of making a decision based on just one meal.

As a senior dog, he has taught me that feeding isn’t simply about finding foods that he likes.

It’s also about paying attention to his individual needs and making small, thoughtful changes.

What I Learned From Trying Turkey

Introducing turkey gave me another protein option to consider when preparing Yeoreum’s meals.

At the same time, I learned that a new ingredient doesn’t have to become a major part of a dog’s diet immediately.

Starting slowly makes it easier to observe your dog’s reaction and adjust the amount if necessary.

For dogs with known food allergies, sensitive stomachs, or other health concerns, introducing new foods deserves extra care.

And because Yeoreum is getting older, I’m also finding that regular veterinary checkups and professional advice become increasingly important.

A Little Note From Yeori 🤎

Living with a senior dog means learning something new almost every day.

What worked when Yeoreum was younger doesn’t always feel like the best choice now. As he gets older, I find myself visiting the vet more often, checking ingredients more carefully, and paying closer attention to even small changes in his daily routine.

Turkey is just one of the foods I’ve tried as part of that process.

I’ll continue sharing what works for us, what I learn along the way, and the little everyday moments that come with caring for Yeoreum. 🐾🤎

This post is based on my personal experience as a dog parent and is not veterinary or professional nutritional advice. If your dog has allergies, medical conditions, or dietary restrictions, please consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods.