What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate?

One of the most common toxicities seen in veterinary practices in the UK is chocolate. Something quite common in most households can make dogs very unwell and, in large amounts, even has the potential to be fatal.

While awareness of chocolate toxicity is quite widespread among owners nowadays, toxicities remain common, as dogs are experts at sneakily and quickly accessing chocolate that is within the home.

Thankfully, most dogs make a prompt and full recovery, particularly with early intervention.

Why is Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?

There are two toxic ingredients in chocolate: Caffeine and theobromine. While they are tolerated in small amounts, larger quantities make dogs very unwell.

The sugar, fat and dairy content in chocolate is also not ideal, potentially leading to issues including stomach upset and pancreatitis. However, these are not the ingredients that cause the poisoning.

What Makes Theobromine Dangerous?

Theobromine is metabolised much more slowly by dogs than by humans, and they are much more sensitive to it.

It has similar effects to caffeine and causes effects on the cardiorespiratory, central nervous and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Which Types of Chocolate Are the Most Toxic?

The chocolate items with the highest theobromine content are the most dangerous. This includes dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder.

White chocolate contains almost no theobromine, so it is generally not implicated in any chocolate toxicities.

How Much Chocolate Can Harm a Dog?

The amount a dog can tolerate depends on the type of chocolate ingested and the dog's weight.

As a general guideline, they can consume approximately 20mg/kg of theobromine before experiencing adverse effects. Dark chocolate contains about three times the amount of theobromine compared to milk.

Cocoa powder is a very concentrated source of chocolate, and just half of a teaspoon of cocoa powder would make a toy breed unwell.

What Are the First Signs of Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs?

If your dog has eaten chocolate, you may notice them becoming unwell quite soon after, within just a few hours.

How Quickly Do Symptoms Start?

Within 6-12 hours, the first symptoms will develop. Although your dog will not initially have any symptoms, do not be lulled into a false sense of security.

After ingesting chocolate, you should still contact a veterinarian urgently to determine if immediate treatment is advised.

What Behavioural Changes Should You Watch For?

You may notice your dog becomes restless and starts pacing and panting.

They may become hyperactive or clingy as they start to feel unwell. Many owners describe their dog as seeming very anxious or nervous.

What Physical Symptoms Can Occur?

Some of the more common signs seen include:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea:As well as these more obvious signs of stomach upset, your dog may also start drooling, lip licking, and passing wind.
• Excess thirst: One of the first signs that develops is an obvious thirst. Both caffeine and theobromine in chocolate act as diuretics, making your dog urinate more and leading to dehydration.
• Muscle tremors and twitches: As the central nervous system is stimulated, your dog may start to shake, tremble and experience involuntary muscle twitching. This can occur in any part of the body.
• A rapid pulse: It is not always easy to identify a rapid heartbeat, but if you place your hand on your dog’s chest, you may find that it is pounding and racing much quicker than usual.
• Seizures can occur when large amounts of theobromine are ingested. Signs of seizure activity include muscle spasms, leg paddling, vocalising, and urinating.
• Syncope: Fainting episodes can occur due to the disrupted blood flow and the abnormal heart rhythm.
• Coma: In severe cases of poisoning, your dog could fall into a coma and be unresponsive to the world around them. This indicates your dog is in a critical condition, and very sadly, could soon pass away.

What Should You Do Immediately if Your Dog Eats Chocolate?

First, safely remove your dog from the chocolate. Check the label to identify what has been consumed, and in roughly what quantity.

Should You Call a Vet Right Away?

If there’s a possibility a toxic dose has been eaten, call an emergency vet immediately. Over the phone, the veterinary clinic will advise you on whether or not you need to bring your dog in urgently.

Even if it is the weekend or the middle of the night, your local emergency clinic will be available to guide you on the best next steps for you and your pooch.

When Should You Induce Vomiting (and When Should You Not)?

Never try to induce vomiting from home, as this is often not successful and can be dangerous.

You may read online about using things like hydrogen peroxide, mustard or salt to make your dog sick, but this can do much more harm than good.

Your vet will induce vomiting if it is suspected that a toxic dose of chocolate was eaten, or if the chocolate contained any other toxins, such as raisins.

How Do You Estimate Chocolate Toxicity Based on Weight and Type?

It can be tricky to estimate toxic doses yourself, so don’t hesitate to contact a vet if you need advice.

There are chocolate toxicity calculators available online from reputable sources, such as the MSD Veterinary Manual.

While useful to get a rough gauge of the situation, these should never be seen as a replacement for real-time, in-person vet advice.

You will need to enter your dog’s current weight and the type and amount of chocolate ingested.

How Do Vets Treat Chocolate Poisoning?

Vets are used to seeing chocolate toxicity and will be well-versed in what your dog needs.

What Diagnostic Tests Might Be Needed?

Generally, no diagnostic tests are required. Your vet will go off what you tell them.

If large quantities of chocolate are consumed and there is concern about cardiotoxicity, an ECG and blood pressure check may be performed.

What Medications Are Commonly Used?

Vets use an injectable medicine called Apomorphine to quickly and safely make the dog vomit their stomach contents.

Activated charcoal can then be given orally to reduce toxin absorption further. Additionally, intravenous fluids can be administered to dilute the toxin concentration in the blood and support organ function.

How Long Is Recovery After Chocolate Ingestion?

For those seen promptly, before symptoms occur, recovery is almost immediate.

However, if your dog develops significant symptoms before treatment, it will take longer to recover and may require admission to the vet clinic for a day or two.

How Can You Prevent Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs?

Prevention is better than cure, and it is key to keep all chocolate well out of your pet’s reach.

What Foods Should Be Kept Out of Reach?

Anything containing chocolate must be out of bounds for your curious canine.

This includes chocolate bars, cocoa powder, baked goods, chocolate Christmas decorations, Easter eggs, and vegan chocolate.

How to Train a Dog to Avoid Unsafe Foods

Pets simply cannot be trusted to say no to something tasty all of the time.

Rather than relying on their impulse control, you should simply eliminate the possibility of them getting any toxic foods, such as garlic, grapes, or chocolate.

There are commands like ‘leave it’ that can be taught to very obedient dogs, but when it comes to toxins, training should be the second line of defence- with prevention being the first.

What Holiday or Seasonal Risks Should You Be Aware Of?

Christmas and Easter are when vets see the largest number of chocolate toxicity cases. This is thanks to the abundance of chocolate eggs, festive cakes, selection boxes, and chocolates wrapped as gifts or hanging as tree decorations.

It is also because we can drop our guard when we have guests over or are occupied with the festivities.

Get Emergency Vet Care for Your Dog

Contact us if you’re concerned that your dog has eaten any chocolate. Our team can advise on the best next steps and ensure your dog stays happy and healthy.

Dog Eating Chocolate FAQs

Will my dog be okay if they eat a small amount of chocolate?

For most dogs, eating a small amount of chocolate is unlikely to make them unwell. However, a 2kg Yorkshire Terrier can only eat about 15g of milk chocolate or 6g of dark chocolate before they would need medical care.

How long after eating chocolate does toxicity peak?

Signs become apparent after around 6 hours, or a bit sooner if a very large amount of chocolate has been eaten.

Can activated charcoal help after chocolate ingestion?

Yes, activated charcoal can help reduce the amount of theobromine and caffeine absorbed by the body. However, it is not a replacement for veterinary care or inducing vomiting.