Can dogs eat fatty scraps and fat trimmings?

Why

The FDA advises against giving pets high-fat scraps like fat trimmed from meat or the skin of roast turkey or chicken. Rich food can upset the stomach and cause pancreatitis, a painful swollen pancreas. Merck says eating large amounts of table scraps is believed to be a common risk factor in dogs. Call a vet if a dog gets sick after eating some.

Good to know

Pancreatitis looks different in each pet: the FDA says dogs show vomiting and belly pain, while in cats the signs are less clear, like less appetite and weight loss.

Watch for: Fat that looks harmless, like drippings, skin and the trimmed edge of a steak, is the part that causes the trouble. Cooked bones in scraps can also hurt a pet.