When a pet consumes too much salt, blood sodium levels rise quickly, drawing water out of cells and causing cellular dehydration. This is especially dangerous for brain cells, leading to swelling and neurological symptoms like confusion, tremors, and seizures. The kidneys try to eliminate the excess sodium, but if overwhelmed, dehydration worsens, reducing urine output and further raising sodium levels.
In cases of excessive fat consumption, the pancreas may become overworked or overwhelmed. This can result in the premature activation of digestive enzymes within the pancreas itself, instead of in the small intestine. These activated enzymes can cause inflammation, irritation, and damage to the pancreatic tissue, leading to pancreatitis.