My dog ate fatty foods or table scraps – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine

Book a vet visit if signs appear

This is usually not an emergency – book a vet visit if any signs appear. Fatty foods and table scraps are toxic to dogs; possible signs include pancreatitis.

What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note what was eaten, how much, and when.
  3. Bring the packaging.
  4. Keep your dog calm.
  5. Remove what is left.

Don't

  • Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Vomiting, stomach pain, restlessness, and shaking are common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs.[1] Diarrhea, fever, and weakness are also common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • restlessness
  • shaking
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • weakness

Where it is found

  • Turkey skin
  • Fat trimmings

What the experts say

“The most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs include vomiting, stomach pain, restlessness, shaking, diarrhea, fever, and weakness. In cats, the symptoms are less clear and harder to notice, such as decreased appetite and weight loss.”

— US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine [1]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

How much is dangerous?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet for advice about the amount eaten.

Which signs should I watch for?

Signs can include vomiting, stomach pain, restlessness, shaking, diarrhea, fever, and weakness.[1]

Sources

  1. US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

The same page for cats →

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