What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate
Laura Evans |
March 28, 2024
52,714 
Chocolate is definitely not a dog-safe treat, and depending on the type and amount of chocolate consumed and the weight of your dog, it could cause a serious medical emergency. In 2023 cases of chocolate poisoning in dogs increased by 337% over the Easter season. Get the details about chocolate poisoning in dogs, and how to proceed safely and quickly if your dog eats some.bren
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Why Chocolate Is Bad for Dogs
Chocolate contains chemicals called methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine. These chemicals are stimulants that can lead to cardiovascular and neurological stimulation in dogs. It can cause rapid breathing and feelings of restlessness. It’s very similar to a person taking too much caffeine.
A small amount of chocolate ingestion might produce only a bit of vomiting or diarrhea, but large ingestions can cause seizures and even death.
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Signs and Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs
Chocolate poisoning in dogs has clear clinical signs. The most common signs include:
- Stage 1: At 20+ mg of theobromine per kg (9 mg/lb) of body weight, your dog may look agitated or be hyperactive. He may also drool excessively, vomit, or have diarrhea, which may smell like chocolate. Be on the safe side: call your vet, or a 24/7 pet helpline. They will tell you whether you should perform first aid or bring him in for treatment.
- Stage 2: At 40+ mg/kg (18 mg/lb), your dog may show cardiac signs including racing heart rate, high blood pressure, or even heart arrhythmias. Get your dog to a veterinarian.
- Stage 3: At 60+ mg/kg (27 mg/lb), your dog will start to show neurologic signs, including tremors, twitching, and even seizures. Medical care is essential.
- Stage 4: At 200 mg/kg (approximately 90 mg/lb) is when death or serious complications can happen. Your dog will need to be in the hospital.
Other signs you may see at any of the stages include:
- Increased thirst
- Panting
- Restlessness
- Excessive urination
- Rapid breathing
If your dog has any of these signs or if you have any doubt, contact a Pet Poison Helpline or go to the vet immediately. Treat this like any poison. Death can be a possibility.
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What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate
Urgent treatment may be needed if your dog has eaten chocolate; It is strongly recommended to contact a 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian immediately. Take note of your dog’s weight, the type of chocolate and how much chocolate they’ve eaten, and when they ate it. Doing so will allow these veterinary professionals to determine if the dog ingested a toxic dose of chocolate and, depending on how long it’s been since ingestion and the dose ingested, may be able to offer suggestions for at-home care.
Unfortunately, many dogs ingest chocolate around celebratory holidays like Christmas or Easter (in 2023 cases of chocolate poisoning increased by 337% over the Easter season). This means that your regular vet might not be open. That’s just one reason why 24/7 telehealth visits for pets are such an ideal option.
An at-home care option for chocolate poisoning might be to induce vomiting, give multiple doses of activated charcoal to decontaminate (Administer one to five grams of activated charcoal for each kilogram of weight of your dog), and sedatives to calm the dog.
No matter what, contact your vet as quickly as possible after your dog eats chocolate. The length of time since the incident and other factors that could make inducing vomiting dangerous may require an immediate visit to the vet.
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How Much Chocolate Can Kill a Dog?
Depending on the weight of your dog, even a small quantity can be dangerous.
For example, if you have a Labrador weighing 65 lbs (30kg), as little as 3g of theobromine could be fatal.
You’ll find 3g of theobromine in one 500 gram bar of dark chocolate or 170 grams of baking chocolate, which is often less than a single bar. However, for West Highland Terriers weighing just 20 lbs (9 kg) these amounts should be reduced by two-thirds.
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⚠️ Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes for a much more expensive veterinary visit!
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