Free tool, built by a veterinarian
Dog chocolate toxicity calculator
Did your dog eat chocolate? Enter the weight, the type and the amount, and see right away how serious it is and what to do next.
How much does your dog weigh?
What kind of chocolate?
How much was eaten?
Why is chocolate toxic to dogs?
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Dogs break these down far more slowly than people do, so they build up in the body and affect the heart, the nervous system and the gut. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Cocoa powder and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, while white chocolate contains almost none.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs
The first signs usually appear within 6 to 12 hours: vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and increased thirst. With larger amounts a dog can develop a racing heart, tremors, abnormal heart rhythm and seizures. Signs can last for up to three days.
What to do if your dog ate chocolate
Work out what kind of chocolate it was and roughly how much, and keep the wrapper. Use the calculator, and call your vet if the risk is moderate or higher, or if you are unsure. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home without speaking to a vet first. Treatment works best when it starts early.
Common questions
How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?
It depends on your dog’s weight and how dark the chocolate is. Mild signs can start at around 20 mg of theobromine and caffeine per kg of body weight. For a 22 lb (10 kg) dog that is roughly 3 oz (90 g) of milk chocolate, but only about 1.3 oz (35 g) of dark chocolate.
How long after eating chocolate will a dog get sick?
Usually 6 to 12 hours after eating it. That is why you should not wait for symptoms before calling your vet.
Is white chocolate dangerous for dogs?
White chocolate contains almost no theobromine and rarely causes poisoning. The high fat and sugar content can still cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in the worst case pancreatitis.
Keep the calculator in your pocket
The PetVitality app has the chocolate calculator, vet-written emergency guides and your pet’s full health record. Free to download.
