Why chocolate are dangerous to dogs
Theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthines). Dogs metabolize theobromine far slower than humans. Darker = more dangerous. Clinical signs: vomiting, restlessness, tachycardia, tremors, seizures, life-threatening arrhythmias.
How much chocolate is dangerous?
Zero. Zero. Any ingestion → calculate theobromine dose → call vet / ASPCA APCC (888) 426-4435. Theobromine content (Merck): cocoa powder 28.5 mg/g, baker's chocolate 15.5 mg/g, semisweet/dark 5.3–5.6 mg/g, milk chocolate 2.3 mg/g, white 0.04 mg/g. Mild signs ~40–50 mg/kg, seizures possible >60 mg/kg (AKC).
Keep all forms away: cocoa powder, baker's, dark, milk, white (lowest but still not a treat), cocoa bean mulch.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning — timeline
| Time after eating | What you may see |
|---|---|
| 2–4 h | Vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, increased thirst |
| 4–12 h | Hyperactivity, tachycardia, hyperthermia, tremors |
| 12 h+ | Seizures, arrhythmias — potentially fatal without treatment |
What to do if your dog ate chocolate (4 steps)
- Identify type of chocolate and estimate amount eaten (use our calculator)
- Call vet or ASPCA APCC (888) 426-4435 immediately with weight + amount
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed
- Treatment is most effective early — do not wait for symptoms
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FAQs
What if my dog ate a chocolate chip cookie?
A single cookie is usually below emergency thresholds for a medium dog, but call with the details — type, amount, weight. Our calculator gives a quick estimate.
Is white chocolate dangerous?
It has ~170× less theobromine than cocoa powder, but it is still not a treat and fat/sugar cause their own problems.
How much chocolate is lethal?
Signs start around 40–50 mg/kg theobromine and seizures above ~60 mg/kg. Cocoa powder (28.5 mg/g) reaches that fast; milk chocolate (2.3 mg/g) needs much more. Always call regardless.