My dog ate chocolate – what should I do?
Depends on the amountHow serious it is depends on the type and the amount – check it below, and call your vet now if you're unsure. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, and an overdose can cause gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurological problems.
Chocolate calculator
Not sure how much? Enter the largest amount it could have been.
Based on published doses: signs from about 20 mg/kg, severe signs from 40 mg/kg (US FDA, Cortinovis & Caloni 2016, Swedish Poison Information Centre). An estimate, not a diagnosis.
What to do right now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
- Note what your dog ate, how much and when.
- Bring the packaging.
- Keep your pet calm.
- Remove what is left.
Don't
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Do not give any human medicine.
Why it can be dangerous
Chocolate is toxic to dogs.[1] Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, and an overdose can cause gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurological problems.[3] The amount of theobromine varies by type: unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa powder usually contain more than 14 mg/g, while white chocolate is an insignificant source.[4]
How much chocolate is dangerous for a dog?
Grams of chocolate at which signs can start (20 mg/kg) and at which severe signs are reported (40 mg/kg), by dog weight. Calculated from published theobromine content and doses.
| Dog weight | Milk | Dark 70–85% | Baking / unsweetened |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 50 g signs 100 g severe | 12 g signs 25 g severe | 7.1 g signs 14 g severe |
| 10 kg | 100 g signs 200 g severe | 25 g signs 50 g severe | 14 g signs 29 g severe |
| 20 kg | 200 g signs 400 g severe | 50 g signs 100 g severe | 29 g signs 57 g severe |
| 30 kg | 300 g signs 600 g severe | 75 g signs 150 g severe | 43 g signs 86 g severe |
| 40 kg | 400 g signs 800 g severe | 100 g signs 200 g severe | 57 g signs 114 g severe |
Signs to watch for
Signs may appear within a few hours; reported windows are 2–4 hours and 4–24 hours.
Where it is found
What the experts say
“Theobromine can cause mild signs in dogs with doses as low as 9 mg per pound of body weight, and severe signs starting around 18 mg per pound of body weight.”
“According to the ASPCA APCC data, mild clinical signs appear in dogs after ingesting 20 mg/kg of theobromine and caffeine, while severe clinical signs are observed at 40–50 mg/kg and seizures occur at 60 mg/kg”
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
How much chocolate is dangerous?
Mild signs have been reported at 20 mg/kg of theobromine and caffeine, severe signs at 40–50 mg/kg, and seizures at 60 mg/kg.[4]
What signs should I watch for?
Possible signs include vomiting, diarrhea, a rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and neurological signs.[3]
Sources
- US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine
- Giftinformationscentralen (Swedish Poison Information Centre)
- Pet Poison Helpline
- Cortinovis & Caloni 2016, Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats, Front Vet Sci
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Coins
Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)