Not Safe for Dogs
Medium dog serving: never
Key warning: all margarine — all varieties
Can Dogs Eat Margarine? No — High Fat Causes Pancreatitis
This food is NOT safe for dogs. Keep it away from your pet.
Margarine is not safe for dogs. Like butter it is very high in fat. Many margarines also contain artificial ingredients trans fats and salt. The high fat content creates the same pancreatitis risk as butter. Never give dogs margarine.
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Warning Signs & Symptoms
Very high fat: pancreatitis risk. Trans fats in some varieties: additional health concerns. High sodium in salted margarine: digestive upset. Artificial ingredients: digestive irritation.
If Your Dog Ate This
Call vet or ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 if significant amount consumed.
What to Avoid
all margarine — all varieties
Preparation & Serving
Monitor for vomiting and abdominal pain. Call vet if significant amount consumed.
Did you know?
Margarine was invented in 1869 in France by Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès in response to Napoleon III's call for a cheap butter substitute for soldiers and the poor. The original margarine contained beef tallow and milk. Early 20th century margarine contained hydrogenated vegetable oils — a process that created trans fats now known to be more harmful than the saturated fats in butter they replaced. Modern margarines reformulated to remove trans fats are nutritionally closer to their original conception but still high in total fat creating the same pancreatitis risk as butter for dogs.
Portions & nutrition
- Serving (small dog)
- never
- Serving (medium dog)
- never
- Serving (large dog)
- never
- Calories (per 100g)
- 717
- Safe frequency
- Never
Source
What You Need to Know
Margarine was marketed as a healthy butter alternative for humans but for dogs the fat content is essentially equivalent to butter creating the same pancreatitis risk. Some margarines contain artificial colors flavors and trans fats that are additionally concerning. The high sodium in salted margarine adds sodium toxicity concerns. Never give dogs margarine in any form.
Not sure what to do next? Read our emergency guide What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
Want to know what other dangers are hiding in your home?
Take the 60-second kitchen safety quiz to find out your dog's risk score.
Take the safety quizIf Your Dog Ate This — Act Now
- Dog Food Toxicity CalculatorCheck severity based on your dog's weight
- Emergency GuideWhat to do in the next 60 minutes
- Dog Poisoning SymptomsKnow what to watch for
- Dog Poisoning TreatmentWhat vets actually do
- Emergency Vet CostHow much will treatment cost?
- Best Pet InsuranceBe prepared before the next emergency
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