It’s common knowledge that chocolate shouldn’t be fed to cats or dogs, but can dogs eat chocolate and be okay? You should never intentionally feed chocolate to your dog, but should your pup sneak their way into your sweet treats, it’s important to know how to act and what signs of chocolate poisoning to look for.
Why can’t dogs eat chocolate?
Chocolate is toxic to dogs due to two main substances. Chocolate contains theobromine and also sometimes caffeine, which are far more difficult for dogs to break down than humans. These chemicals are methylxanthines and react with the nervous system, leading to a range of symptoms, including a fast heart rate.
Because these compounds are so hard for dogs to digest, only a small amount of chocolate can lead to poisoning.
How much chocolate is dangerous to dogs?
It’s important to remember that there is no safe level of chocolate for dogs, as even very small amounts can cause illness. The more chocolate a dog ingests, the higher the risk of poisoning, but the rate of danger is also assessed by a dog’s weight.
When a veterinary professional assesses the level of danger from your dog consuming chocolate, they will use a formula. Chocolate consumption becomes dangerous when around 100g of theobromine is consumed per every kg of your dog’s weight. This is, however, just a guide and signs of serious complications can still occur if your dog has ingested less than this.
The type of chocolate ingested also determines the level of danger for your dog, as some chocolates contain less theobromine and caffeine than others.
Danger levels of types of chocolate
White chocolate has the lowest level of theobromine per 100g and has the lowest risk, whilst cocoa powder in its pure form is the most dangerous to consume.
| Type of Chocolate | Theobromine (mg per 100g) | Danger Level |
| White chocolate | Less than 1mg | Low, but should still avoid |
| Milk chocolate | 150-200 mg | Moderate |
| Dark chocolate | 400-800 mg | High |
| Cooking chocolate | 800-1200 mg | Very High |
| Cocoa powder | 1000-1500 mg | Highest |
With this information, alongside your dog’s weight, an estimated danger level can be created. For example, if you have a small dog weighing around 5kg, even just 25mg of dark chocolate could be potentially life-threatening.
On the other hand, 75g of milk chocolate for a medium-sized dog may only cause mild symptoms. Identifying how much chocolate your dog ate (if possible) will help your vet establish the right level of treatment and identify if urgent care is needed or observation from home is recommended.
What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs?
If you notice or suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, you should always contact your vet immediately for professional advice. Symptoms to look out for that may indicate chocolate poisoning include:
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Elevated heart rate
- Restlessness or hyperactivity
- Panting
- Tremors or shaking
- Seizures of collapse (in severe cases)
Symptoms can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to show and can begin as mild symptoms and then become more severe as the theobromine in the chocolate is released into your dog’s system.
What to do if your dog eats chocolate
The first thing to do if your dog has eaten chocolate is to identify:
- What type of chocolate did your dog eat
- How much chocolate did they eat?
- When it was consumed.
- How much does your dog weigh?
From here, you can provide this information to your vet.
Contact your vet immediately
Contact your vet for urgent advice or an out-of-hours emergency vet if your regular practice isn’t open. You can also contact the Animal PoisonLine, which can provide expert advice on the right steps to take. Ensure you have all the above details on the chocolate type and your dog’s weight ready to tell professionals so they can offer the best care advice.
Veterinary treatment
Whatever your vet or poison centre instructs should be followed carefully and quickly. When you take your dog to the vet, there are several things they may do to help treat your dog:
- Induced vomiting
- Provide IV fluids and medication
- Medications for seizures
- Medications for irregular heart rate
- Administer activated charcoal to limit toxin absorption
- Observation to monitor symptoms and recovery
It’s important to never try to treat your dog at home if you fear chocolate poisoning, as you could cause your dog more harm.
The good news is that with fast action and treatment, most dogs can recover from chocolate poisoning.
How to prevent chocolate poisoning in dogs
Preventing access to chocolate is the best way to keep your pup safe and avoid any emergency vet visits. There are a few things you can do to ensure your dog doesn’t get their paws on our sweet treats:
Keep the chocolate secured and out of reach
Make sure any chocolate or chocolate products like cocoa powder and hot chocolate are kept in areas your dog can’t access. This can be high cupboards, shelves, or even locked compartments. Dogs can be sneaky if they know there’s food available, and even bins need to be secured to keep them from finding scraps.
Take extra care around holidays
Cases of chocolate poisoning always rise around holidays like Christmas, Easter and Halloween, where lots of chocolate or sweets are on offer or available in the household. Be extra careful around these times and make sure that any edible gifts are kept out of sight and reach of your dog.
Teach your dog obedience skills
Teaching your dog to leave food or drop it when told can help prevent the chances of poisoning. Of course, this method only works when you’re around to spot them trying to eat chocolate, but it can still have life-saving effects.
Make sure all guests and family members know the risk
Some people, particularly small children, may not know the danger chocolate poses to dogs. Ensure that everyone in your household or visiting knows not to feed sweets or chocolate to your dog or leave it in easy access for them to find.
Dog safe alternative to chocolate
We all want to treat our dog to a tasty treat now and then, and there is a wide range of options that are safe for dogs to enjoy.
Natural peanut butter
A spoonful of natural peanut butter without xylitol is a welcome treat for dogs. This is a safe, sweet treat option, but always check the ingredients to ensure your peanut butter is xylitol-free as this is toxic to dogs.
Dog treats
There are so many different types of dog treats for your pup to enjoy, including safe chocolate or sweet flavoured options that use carob, a safe alternative to human chocolate. You can also purchase a range of treat types from biscuits to chews, so there’s something for every dog to enjoy.
Frozen fruit
In hot weather, your dog may especially appreciate a small piece of frozen seedless fruit as a treat. Things like banana or pumpkin slices are an acceptable substitute for chocolate and don’t cause any harm either.
Stay informed and keep your dog safe
The most important thing to know about chocolate poisoning in dogs is that it is entirely preventable. By staying alert, keeping chocolate out of reach and knowing what to do if your dog eats some chocolate are all crucial ways to keep your pup safe.
If you need any advice on veterinary medicines or are looking for the right treats to suit your dog, our VetUK team are here to help. Get in touch and we’ll use our expertise and your dog’s preferences to help you choose the perfect treats.
If you’re looking for more information on dog care, take a look at some of our other blogs:
Leave a Reply