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Can dogs eat chocolate?

Never feed chocolate. It contains theobromine, which dogs clear far too slowly to handle safely. How dangerous a given amount is depends on the type of chocolate and the size of the dog.

Call now

+1 (888) 426-4435ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center · US · 24/7. A consultation fee applies.
+1 (855) 764-7661Pet Poison Helpline · US · 24/7. A consultation fee applies.
01202 509000Animal PoisonLine · UK · 24/7. Lower cost than a direct vet call.
1300 869 738Animal Poisons Centre · AU · 24/7, free for the public.

Do not wait for symptoms and do not try to make your dog sick unless a vet has told you to — some substances cause more damage coming back up. Have your dog's weight, what was eaten, roughly how much, and when, ready before you call.

What to do

Call a vet with three facts ready: the type of chocolate, roughly how much, and your dog's weight. That is enough to calculate the dose and decide whether the dog needs to be seen. Keep the wrapper.

Signs to watch for

vomiting
diarrhoea
restlessness and hyperactivity
excessive thirst
panting
racing or irregular heartbeat
muscle tremors
seizures

When: 2–4 hours typically, up to 12 hours. Effects can persist for days because of the long half-life and reabsorption from the gut.

What makes it harmful

Theobromine, plus caffeine — together the methylxanthines

Methylxanthines block adenosine receptors and drive up intracellular calcium, which overstimulates the heart and central nervous system. Humans clear theobromine in around 2–3 hours; in dogs the half-life is roughly 17.5 hours, so it accumulates to levels people never reach from the same food.

How much matters

Roughly 20 mg/kg theobromine for vomiting and restlessness, 40–50 mg/kg for cardiac effects, and above 60 mg/kg for seizures. Concentration is what matters: white chocolate is negligible (~0.01 mg/g), milk chocolate about 1.5–2.2 mg/g, dark chocolate about 5.5 mg/g, and unsweetened baking chocolate 14–16 mg/g. A 25 g square of baking chocolate is a bigger exposure than a whole bar of milk chocolate.

Also check for

cocoa mulch in the garden
chocolate-covered raisins (two hazards at once)
baking supplies
advent calendars
protein bars

How confident is this

established

Well established in the veterinary literature and consistent across sources.

Gwaltney-Brant S. Chocolate intoxication. Vet Med 2001;96(2):108-111.
Finlay F, Guiton S. Chocolate poisoning. BMJ 2005;331(7517):633.
Merck Veterinary Manual, Toxicology of Food-Associated Hazards
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

Check another food

Informational only, and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and this page cannot account for your dog's age, size, health conditions or medication. If you are worried, phone a vet — that call is always the right call.