Can dogs eat fat trimmings from meat?

Every gram of fat carries 9 calories, more than twice as much as protein. A handful of cooked beef fat weighing 50 g (under 2 oz) can hold around 350 calories. For a 10 kg (22 lb) dog, that is more than half a day's energy needs in a few seconds of gulping.

Regular fatty extras are a quiet cause of weight gain, which in turn strains joints and shortens life.

A sudden rich meal can inflame the pancreas. Signs include repeated vomiting, a painful belly, a hunched stance with the front end lowered, and refusal to eat. Some breeds, including Miniature Schnauzers, and overweight or older dogs seem more prone. Once a dog has had pancreatitis, flare-ups can happen again more easily.

Holidays and barbecues are peak times for these cases.

Share a small piece of lean meat instead, cut into bite-sized bits. Keep a lidded container by the chopping board for fat and gristle and empty it into an outdoor bin. Tell children and guests the house rule: lean meat only, and only from the dog's own plate.

Pan drippings, lard, and duck fat are simply fat in liquid form, and pouring them over kibble has the same effect as feeding trimmings. Watch for less obvious sources too: a warm roasting tin left on an open oven door, or the drip tray under a barbecue. Dogs will lick these clean in seconds, so tidy up before you sit down to eat.