1. A method for dynamically rate limiting slowpath processing of exception packets in a packet forwarding device, the method comprising: monitoring processing resources in a packet forwarding device used for performing slowpath processing of exception packets; determining whether, in the packet forwarding device, usage of the processing resources used for slowpath processing exceeds a first threshold; and in response to determining that usage of the processing resources exceeds the first threshold, rate limiting the slowpath processing of the exception packets; determining whether, in the packet forwarding device, usage of the processing resources for slowpath processing is less than a second threshold; and in response to determining that usage of the processing resources is less than the second threshold, ceasing the rate limiting of the exception packets.