Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?

Why chocolate is toxic to dogs

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which contain two stimulants: theobromine and caffeine. Both belong to a group of chemicals called methylxanthines. Humans break them down quickly. Dogs break them down much more slowly, so the chemicals build up in the body and over-stimulate the heart, the nervous system and the gut.

Theobromine does most of the damage, because there is far more of it in chocolate than caffeine. The fat and sugar in chocolate add a second problem: a big, rich meal can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some dogs, pancreatitis.

Which chocolate is most dangerous

The rule is simple: the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. From least to most dangerous, the order is white, milk, dark, baking chocolate, then cocoa powder.

These are rough figures. Real products vary a lot by brand and cocoa percentage, so treat them as a guide, not a guarantee.

How much chocolate is too much?

The Merck Veterinary Manual gives these thresholds for theobromine and caffeine together, measured in milligrams per kilogram of your dog's body weight:

• About 20 mg/kg: mild signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea and thirst
• About 40 to 50 mg/kg: heart effects, such as a racing or irregular heartbeat
• About 60 mg/kg and above: tremors and seizures

Here's how that works out. A 10 kg dog that eats a 50 g bar of milk chocolate takes in roughly 100 mg of theobromine, or about 10 mg/kg. The same dog eating 50 g of dark chocolate takes in roughly 275 mg, or about 27 mg/kg, which is enough for clear signs. Small dogs reach dangerous levels with much less.

Some dogs react at lower doses than these, so the thresholds are a guide for your vet, not a reason to wait and see.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning

Signs usually start 6 to 12 hours after eating and can last a day or longer:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Drinking and peeing more than usual
• Restlessness, panting and hyperactivity
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Muscle tremors and a wobbly walk
• Seizures, in severe cases
• Collapse, in the most serious cases

Older dogs and dogs with heart problems may be more at risk. If your dog shows tremors, seizures or collapse, go to an emergency vet straight away.

Use the calculator below to get a rough idea of the risk, then call your vet with the numbers.

How much chocolate is too much?

A rough estimate of the theobromine dose. Use it to tell your vet the numbers, never to decide to wait.

Dog’s weight: 15 kgAmount eaten: 50 g (a standard bar is about 100 g)

Type of chocolate

White chocolateMilk chocolateDark chocolateBaking chocolate (unsweetened)Cocoa powder

Lower riskAbout 18 mg of theobromine per kgBelow the level where signs usually start, but estimates can be off. Call your vet for advice, especially for small, young or older dogs.

204060 mg/kg

My dog ate chocolate. What should I do?

1. Call your vet or an emergency vet. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). In the UK, your vet can contact the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.
2. Don't make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to. Salt, mustard and other methods found online can be dangerous on their own.
3. Have the details ready: the type of chocolate, roughly how much, when, and your dog's weight. Keep the wrapper, because the cocoa percentage helps.
4. Pick up what's left so your dog can't go back for more.

What the vet will do

If your dog ate chocolate recently, the vet may make it vomit with a safe injection. They may then give activated charcoal to soak up what's left in the gut, sometimes in more than one dose. Dogs with signs may need intravenous fluids, medicines to calm a racing heart or stop tremors, and monitoring until the stimulants wear off. With prompt treatment, most dogs recover well.

Where chocolate hides

Bars and boxes are the obvious danger. These are easier to miss:

• Brownies, cakes and cookies: often made with dark or baking chocolate
• Cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix: very concentrated, and easy for a dog to lick up from a spill
• Cocoa mulch: a garden mulch made from cocoa bean shells, which contains theobromine and smells tempting to dogs
• Chocolate-covered raisins: a double danger, because raisins can cause kidney failure
• Chocolate spreads and sugar-free chocolate: may also contain xylitol, a sweetener that is very toxic to dogs
• Advent calendars, Easter eggs and gift bags: often left at dog height

How to chocolate-proof your home

• Keep chocolate in a closed cupboard or a high shelf, not in handbags, coat pockets or on the coffee table.
• Don't put wrapped chocolate gifts under the tree. Dogs can smell them through the paper.
• Tell children and guests that chocolate is never a treat for the dog, not even a crumb.
• Bake with the door shut, and wipe up cocoa powder and batter spills straight away.
• If you use garden mulch, choose one that isn't made from cocoa shells.
• Save your vet's number, your nearest emergency vet and a poison hotline in your phone now, so you aren't searching for them later.

Safer treats instead

If you want to share something sweet, try a small piece of banana, a few blueberries or a slice of apple without the core. Not sure about another food? Check it in the Dog Food Checker.

FAQ

Can a small piece of chocolate hurt my dog?

It depends on the type of chocolate and your dog's size. A crumb of milk chocolate is unlikely to harm a large dog, but a small square of dark or baking chocolate can be serious for a small dog. Call your vet for advice either way.

Is white chocolate safe for dogs?

It contains very little theobromine, so poisoning is unlikely. It is still high in fat and sugar, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or pancreatitis, so it isn't a safe treat.

How long after eating chocolate will my dog show symptoms?

Signs usually start 6 to 12 hours after eating, and can last for a day or more. Don't wait for them before calling your vet.

My dog ate chocolate and seems fine. Do I still need to call the vet?

Yes. Because signs are delayed, a dog can look normal for hours. Your vet can work out from the type, amount and your dog's weight whether treatment is needed.

Is carob safe for dogs?

Plain carob does not contain theobromine and is generally considered safe in small amounts. Check the label, because some carob treats contain added sugar or other ingredients.

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual: chocolate toxicosis in animals
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
• VCA Animal Hospitals

This article is general information, not a replacement for advice from your vet.