Can Dogs Eat Chocolate? The Emergency Chart
It's the most famous toxic food, yet it remains the #1 cause of food poisoning calls to vets during holidays. Why? Because it smells good, tastes good, and is left everywhere.
The Toxic Ingredient: Theobromine
Chocolate contains Theobromine and Caffeine. Both are methylxanthines—stimulants that humans metabolize easily, but dogs process very slowly. These compounds cause:
- Racing Heart Rate (Arrhythmia)
- High Blood Pressure
- Seizures
- Cardiac Arrest
Not All Chocolate Is Equal
The darker the chocolate, the deadlier the dose.
| Type of Chocolate | Theobromine Level | Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|
| White Chocolate | Negligible | Low (Sugar/Fat risk only) |
| Milk Chocolate | Moderate (44mg/oz) | Moderate |
| Dark Chocolate | High (150mg/oz) | SEVERE |
| Baking Cocoa | Extreme (390mg/oz) | DEADLY |
The "Danger Dose" Math
- 10lb Dog (Yorkie): 1 oz of Milk Choc = Upset Stomach. 1 oz of Baking Choc = Seizures/Death.
- 70lb Dog (Labrador): 1 oz of Milk Choc = Fine. 1 oz of Baking Choc = Vomiting.
Symptoms Timeline
- 0-2 Hours: Hyperactivity, panting, pacing. It looks like a "sugar rush".
- 2-4 Hours: Vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst.
- 4-12 Hours: Muscle tremors, twitching, seizures, collapse.
Emergency Steps
- Find the Wrapper: You NEED to know exactly what kind of chocolate it was and the cocoa percentage.
- Estimate Quantity: "He ate half the bar" is vital info.
- Calculate: Use an online "Dog Chocolate Toxicity Calculator" or call the vet.
- Action:
- If caught < 1 hour: Vet will induce vomiting.
- If caught > 2 hours: Hospitalization for IV fluids and heart monitoring.
Common Myths
- "My dog ate a Hershey kiss and was fine, so chocolate is safe."
- False: That was milk chocolate in a small dose. Dark chocolate is a different beast.
- "White chocolate is toxic."
- False: It's mostly cocoa butter and sugar. The risk is Pancreatitis (from fat), not Theobromine poisoning.
Prevention
- Xylitol Warning: Some sugar-free chocolates contain Xylitol, which causes liver failure. This is a double-whammy poison.
- Holiday Vigilance: Easter and Christmas are "Chocolate ER" seasons.
Pro Tip: Teaching the "Leave It" command is a life-saver. Read our Guide on "Leave It" Training.