Dogs and Chocolate
Chocolate in surprisingly small amounts can seriously affect your dog, and in some cases cause your dog to die. Small animal veterinarians are seeing increasing number of dogs with chocolate toxicity as more of us are eating the ‘healthier’ dark chocolate. Unfortunately your dog only needs to eat 1/3 as much dark chocolate as opposed to milk chocolate to become seriously ill. In this article I will show you why chocolate is toxic, the types and amounts that will cause poisoning, the symptoms of toxicity, and what you can do if your pet consumes chocolate.
The toxic components in chocolate are caffeine and theobromine. The theobromine is found in high concentrations in chocolate, and causes most of the clinical signs in dogs. Theobromine affects your dog’s intestinal system, nervous system (brain), cardiovascular system (heart and lungs), and the kidneys.
The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs are based upon the amount of chocolate eaten, the type of chocolate, and the time since it was ingested. The most common sign after your dogs eat chocolate are gastro-intestinal, meaning stomach upset, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea. Not uncommonly you may see hyperactivity, restlessness, elevated heart rate and increased drinking and urinating. The most serious signs are when the nervous system is affected; these may show up as tremors, seizures, increased breathing rate, high body temperature ( hyperthermia) and coma.
The toxic and potentially fatal dose of chocolate is 60mg/kg- so a 10lb dog only needs to consume 300mg of chocolate. Clinical Signs can be seen as low as 20mg/kg- meaning a small 10lb dog only needs to consume 100mg to have problems. Severe signs are seen at 40mg/kg- or consuming 200mg of chocolate.
Let’s look at how much theobromine is in certain types of chocolate, then we can best know if you need to be concerned about chocolate poisoning in your dog if he has eaten some. A 5oz milk chocolate bar contains 250mg of theobromine, a dark chocolate bar contains 600 mg. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains 400mg theobromine per square, Semisweet chocolate chips (30 chips), 250mg. Dry cocoa powder contains 700 mg of theobromine per ounce.
A poodle weighing 10lbs can be fatally poisoned by as little as one milk chocolate bar containing 250mg of theobromine. A 75lb larger breed dog, such as a Golden Retriever, would need to eat to eat 8 milk chocolate bars to become seriously ill. On the other hand, the dark chocolate and bakers chocolate are far more toxic; the 75lb Golden only needs to consume 3 of the dark chocolate bars to be fatally poisoned.
If your dog eats any amount of chocolate, the first thing is to figure out how much has been consumed. Then based on the type of chocolate, determine if your pet has eaten a potentially toxic amount. If the dose of chocolate is 20mg per kg of theobromine or higher, you should be seeing your veterinarian and inducing vomiting, or doing this at home. So this means that if your 10lb (5kg) poodle eats a milk chocolate bar, then induce vomiting as he has eaten more than 200mg of theobromine. I have calculated this dose by multiplying the poodle’s weight of 5kg times the toxic dose amount of 20mg/kg giving a level of 200mg.
The method I prefer to induce vomiting is by giving hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. If your pet doesn’t vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. I advise to never do more than 2 treatments of peroxide. You can also try salt: dilute 1 teaspoon of salt in a tablespoon of water per every 10lbs of body weight. If you are unable to induce vomiting, if your dog is showing any serious signs such as tremors, seizures, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or you are at all unsure please see your veterinarian.
You can now see how even a small amount of chocolate can cause serious problems to your dog. As a responsible dog owner, you should be aware of the types of chocolate, and the amounts of chocolate to cause poisoning in your dog. You should be able to recognize the symptoms of chocolate toxicity, and know how to induce vomiting if your dog is to eat toxic levels of chocolate.
Dr Andrew J
Thank you, Dr. Andrew. This is extremely frightening and helpful!
You’re very welcome!
The good news is that acting quickly can make all the difference. Knowing what to watch for and what to do right away is one of the best ways to keep your dog safe.
Here’s hoping your pup sticks to dog treats and leaves the chocolate to us humans!
My mother had bought a 5 pound box of Sees choclates to take to my brothers for Christmas, and left in the bag by her things that were going with us on the road trip. We had 3 dogs at the time of various sizes. One about 11 lbs(doxie), one about 18 lbs (Bishon) and the other about 45/50 lbs (Border Collie) between the 3 of them they demolished the bag, the wrapping, the box and unfortunately the chocolates. Thankfully none got seriously ill (that was by the grace of God alone, how could that otherwise be possible with 5 lbs of chocolates!!!?) However one did have a unpleasant case of diahhrea. Which meant frequent stops on our road trip! I guess my mom didn’t think about them being able to sniff out the chocolates through the box and all, but as we know they have an excellent sense of smell. If you get something like this make sure it’s not on any level like a coffee table or anywhere else that is within their reach. Probably best on a high shelf in a closed cupboard.
Wow—what a Christmas surprise!
I’m very glad all three dogs came through it without serious problems. They were certainly lucky, as chocolate toxicity can be very serious depending on the type of chocolate, the amount eaten, and the size of the dog.
Your story is a great reminder that our pups can sniff out chocolate almost anywhere! Keeping it well out of reach is definitely the safest plan. Thanks for sharing your experience—it may help another pet parent avoid the same scare.
another great article
thank you
Thanks so much!
I’m really glad you enjoyed it. My goal is to share simple, practical tips that help keep our dogs and cats healthy—and hopefully save a few trips to the vet along the way!
Thanks for reading and for being part of the Veterinary Secrets family!
does the same apply for cats?
Great question!
Yes—chocolate is toxic to cats too. The good news is that chocolate poisoning is much less common in cats because they usually aren’t interested in sweet foods. However, if a cat does eat chocolate, the caffeine and theobromine can still cause serious problems, including vomiting, restlessness, tremors, seizures, and heart issues.
If you ever suspect your cat has eaten chocolate, it’s best to contact your veterinarian right away. Better safe than sorry!
My 2 poodle/terrior mix breed(12-14 lbs) ate an entire bag of dove dark chocolate that my boyfriend left on the table last Xmas. We induced vomiting but still needed to bring them to the emergency vet have their stomachs pumped and left for 2 days of IV and observation. Not the best of scenarios for the holidays or any time for that matter. It was quite a scare and very costly. Also bad for relationship as I was furious with my boyfriend for not putting the chocolate out of reach. Needless to say, he will never do that again!
What a scary holiday story!
I’m so glad both of your pups recovered. With dark chocolate, you absolutely did the right thing by acting quickly and getting them to the emergency vet. It can become serious very fast, especially in smaller dogs.
I have a feeling your boyfriend learned a lesson he’ll never forget! Hopefully your story reminds everyone to keep chocolate well out of curious noses—it’s a simple step that can prevent a very stressful (and expensive!) trip to the ER. Thanks for sharing!
Informative
I’m glad you found it helpful. A little knowledge can go a long way in preventing an emergency—and keeping our furry friends safe and healthy.
What is in pet “chocolates” that is different and should they be used as treats?
Great question!
Pet “chocolates” aren’t actually chocolate at all. They don’t contain theobromine or caffeine—the two ingredients in real chocolate that are toxic to dogs. Instead, they’re usually made with ingredients like carob, along with milk powders, grains, or other dog-safe ingredients.
As for treats, I’d still use them in moderation. A small piece as an occasional reward is fine, but I always prefer healthier options whenever possible—real meat treats or small pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables (that are safe for dogs) are often a better choice.
The bottom line: real chocolate is a definite no, pet “chocolates” are much safer, but they should still be an occasional treat rather than an everyday snack.
Very useful information. Thank you.
You’re very welcome!
I’m glad you found it helpful. A little knowledge can go a long way in preventing an emergency—and keeping our furry friends safe and healthy.
Thanks for reading, and give your pup a healthy treat from me!
I once gave my little Pomeranian a small bite of chocolate brownies,sure enough he got sick threw up and some diahhrea but survived,never again!!
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Your little Pomeranian gave you a very clear message—no more chocolate! Thankfully, it sounds like he recovered well after the vomiting and diarrhea.
Small dogs are especially sensitive to chocolate, so it’s always best to keep all chocolate treats well out of reach. I’m glad your pup was okay, and I’m sure he’s much happier sticking to dog-friendly snacks!
I’ve always known dogs can’t have chocolate, not even a little bit. From a young age I was told never to feed chocolate to a dog. Also I heard onions can be toxic to dogs as well. Best bet here is to avoid giving doggie “people” food and make him stick to his own dish. It’s tempting to give your dog a bite when they look at you with those puppy eyes, but for their own good it’s best to just say no.
Great advice!
You’re absolutely right—chocolate is one of the foods dogs should never have, and onions (along with garlic) can also be toxic. Those puppy-dog eyes can be hard to resist, but saying “no” is sometimes the kindest thing we can do.
When it comes to treats, I always recommend sticking with dog-safe options. Your pup will still love the attention—and you’ll avoid an unnecessary trip to the vet!
I won’t knock an informative article such as this. However, I’ve had two pitbulls and both loved chocolate. Molly #1 is roughly 14 years and Molly #2 is 6. Both are in great shape. They both receive peanut M&M’s for treats, small snicker bars, chocolate covered raisens and oreo cookies. Molly #2 eats grapes, watermelon, apples, carrots and ice cream I’m eating, cereal Capn Crunch is a favo for her. Never been sick, vomited, seized, aren’t blind, have great color. Of course, they do get their dog treats as well. I’ve literally had people freak out on the chocolate fix. I can’t say no. Sorry…
Thanks for sharing your experience!
It sounds like you’ve been fortunate that both of your Mollys have done well. That said, chocolate toxicity is very real, and dogs can vary a lot in how they respond. Factors like the type of chocolate, the amount eaten, and the dog’s size all make a difference—but unfortunately, there isn’t a “safe” amount we can count on.
I’d still recommend skipping the chocolate and grapes altogether (grapes can also cause serious kidney problems in some dogs). There are lots of dog-safe treats that Molly can enjoy just as much, without the risk.
Give both of your girls a pat from me, they’re lucky to have someone who loves them so much!
My dog just simply runs away if she finds chocolate or a put a piece of chocolate at her nose. Presenting her with chocolate is a sure way to make her run outsie in the garden and have some rest for myself 😀
Sounds like your dog has excellent taste—and excellent instincts!
Some dogs have no interest in chocolate at all, and that’s a good thing. While many dogs will gobble it up, yours has decided it’s definitely not on the menu. Smart girl!
Let’s hope she keeps that healthy dislike for chocolate. It makes your job a whole lot easier!
I had a lovely toy Pom/Maltese cross named Fluffy. Best dog in the world. She was poisoned by chocolate. My uncle from overseas was visiting with us for two weeks and took her for a walk every day. I only found out later that he was taking her to the corner shop and feeding her with chocolate. In ignorance, he thought he was giving the dog a treat. She died an agonising death. It still hurts and I still miss her.
I’m so sorry about Fluffy.
Thank you for sharing her story. It sounds like your uncle meant well, but sadly didn’t know that chocolate can be toxic to dogs. For a small dog like Fluffy, even a relatively small amount can be dangerous.
Your experience is a powerful reminder that something we enjoy can be life-threatening for our pets. I hope sharing Fluffy’s story helps prevent another family from going through the same heartbreak.
Sending a gentle thought in memory of your special little girl.
thanks for the dosages and the translation to actual chocolate bar sizes. My dog has a sweet tooth and shuns dark chocolate. I have to watch the mocha and chai (caffeine) while traveling as she will raid the cup even if there is no drink.
You’re very welcome!
It sounds like your pup definitely knows what she likes! It’s a good thing she avoids dark chocolate, but you’re smart to keep an eye on coffee cups, mocha, and chai too—they can all contain caffeine, which is also toxic to dogs.
A little extra caution goes a long way, especially when traveling. Thanks for sharing, and give your sweet-toothed girl a dog-safe treat from me!
I don’t think this is 100% true. I had a Golden back in the 80’s who lived a full, healthy life of 12 years old and he loved Oreos, M&M’s and other chocolate. He never exhibited any of these “toxic symptoms” you describe. He was very playful and very trim.
I would never knowingly poison any animal but is their any Scientific work to validate these claims? Or is it all here-say?
Thanks for sharing!
Your Golden was one of the lucky ones, but chocolate toxicity is very real and well documented in veterinary medicine. The risk depends on the type of chocolate, the amount eaten, and the size of the dog.
It’s simply not worth the risk—there are plenty of safe treats our dogs can enjoy instead.
Dr. Jones’s article is accurate with regards to chocolate toxicity. Chocolate is dangerous for your dog. Those of you who feed it have just been lucky, or the dogs have not ingested enough to exhibit noticeable symptoms ( doesn’t mean the potential for harm isn’t there!). Please see the link below for the ASPCA Poison Control centre. These are the people the vets call for advice.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Thanks for sharing this!
You’re absolutely right, some dogs may not show signs after eating a small amount of chocolate, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Chocolate toxicity is well established in veterinary medicine, and the risk depends on the type of chocolate, the amount eaten, and the size of the dog.
When in doubt, it’s always better to play it safe and keep chocolate out of reach.