# Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs): Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs — Quick answer. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because of theobromine, which dogs metabolise slowly. Dark and baking chocolate are most dangerous; milk chocolate is less so but still risky in quantity. If your dog ate chocolate, call your vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately with the type, amount, and your dog's weight — do not wait for symptoms.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs): Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs — Key takeaways. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because of theobromine — dark and baking chocolate are most dangerous. Call your vet or Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) immediately with type, amount, and your dog's weight — do not wait for symptoms. Never induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to; use our chocolate calculator only as a rough guide before you phone.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs): Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs — Why is chocolate poisonous to dogs?. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both methylxanthines. Dogs break these down much more slowly than people, so theobromine builds up to toxic levels. The darker and more concentrated the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. UK veterinary poison guidance commonly uses approximate theobromine dose bands (always confirm with your vet — individual sensitivity varies): | Approximate theobromine dose | Typical effect | |---|---| | Around 20 mg/kg | Mild signs (restlessness, vomiting) possible | | Around 40–50 mg/kg | Moderate toxicity — heart and nervous system effects | | Around 60 mg/kg and above | Severe risk — seizures, arrhythmias; emergency | | Around 100–200 mg/kg | Potentially life-threatening without urgent treatment |

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs): Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs — Chocolate types and relative risk. | Chocolate type | Relative theobromine | Rough guide for a 10 kg dog | |---|---|---| | Baking / unsweetened chocolate | Highest | A few squares can be dangerous | | Dark chocolate (70%+) | High | Small amounts can cause toxicity | | Milk chocolate | Moderate | Larger amounts needed, still risky | | White chocolate | Very low theobromine | Rarely toxic for theobromine; fat/sugar still a problem | Use our chocolate toxicity calculator for a rough estimate, then phone your vet regardless of the result.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs): Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs — Symptoms of chocolate poisoning. Signs usually appear within 2–12 hours and may include: - Vomiting and diarrhoea - Restlessness or hyperactivity - Increased thirst and urination - Rapid heart rate or panting - Muscle tremors or twitching - Seizures (severe cases) - Collapse Severe poisoning can cause heart arrhythmias and, without treatment, can be fatal — especially in small dogs or after large amounts of dark chocolate.

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs