Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs

Emergency Client Information

CRITICAL WARNING - ALL chocolate ingestion requires immediate veterinary contact

Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder are most dangerous
Toxicity depends on type, amount, and dog's weight
Symptoms can progress to seizures and abnormal heart rhythms
There is NO specific antidote - early decontamination is critical

Overview

Chocolate contains methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) that overstimulate the heart and nervous system in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.

Toxic Doses of Theobromine*

Mild Illness	20 mg/kg
Moderate to Serious	40 mg/kg
Lethal	100-200 mg/kg

*Pets can respond differently to chocolate doses and the type of chocolate ingested, with some dogs being more sensitive than others.

Levels of Theobromine

Calculating the Chocolate Dose

You will need to know:

Your pet's weight (kgs)
The amount of chocolate ingested in grams or ounces
The estimated concentration of theobromine

To calculate the mg/kg dose of chocolate:

Multiply the amount of chocolate ingested (in grams) by the concentration of theobromine.
Divide this number by your pet's weight.

Examples

Milk Chocolate Toxicity

15 kg dog

Ingests 85 g milk chocolate bar

Milk chocolate concentration is 2 mg/g

85 x 2 = 170 mg

170/15 = 11.33 mg/kg

You would expect a dose of < 20 mg/kg to cause only mild tummy upset in most dogs.

Dark Chocolate Toxicity

15 kg dog

Ingests 85 g dark chocolate bar

Dark chocolate concentration is approximately 16 mg/g

85 x 16 = 1,360 mg

1,360/15 = 90.66 mg/kg

You would expect a dose above 40 mg/kg to cause serious illness in most dogs.

Estimated Doses of Chocolate Toxicity**

Size of Dog	Milk Chocolate	Dark or Baking Chocolate
Small Dogs	60-600 g	7-70 g
Medium Dogs	900 g-1.5 kg	100-200 g
Large Dogs	2 kg+	200-500 g

**The amount of theobromine and caffeine will differ between chocolate brands. Always contact your veterinary practice and inform them of the amount of chocolate ingested. They will be able to accurately calculate the dose that your pet has been exposed to.

Signs

Timeline varies with dose and type - often 6-12 hours

Early signs (within a few hours):

Vomiting, diarrhea
Restlessness, panting
Increased thirst and urination

Progressive signs (6-12 hours):

Rapid heart rate
Abnormal heart rhythms
Hyperactivity
Tremors
High blood pressure

Severe signs (12-24+ hours):

Seizures
Collapse, coma
Life-threatening heart arrhythmias
Elevated body temperature

EMERGENCY indicators:

Large or unknown amount eaten, especially dark/baking chocolate
Severe vomiting
Marked agitation or tremors
Seizures
Irregular or very fast heartbeat

What To Do IMMEDIATELY

Call your veterinarian or emergency clinic NOW
Provide:
- Type of chocolate (dark, baking, milk, cocoa)
- Estimated amount eaten
- Your dog's weight
- Time of ingestion
Bring the wrapper or take clear photos

DO NOT:

Wait for symptoms to appear
Induce vomiting without veterinary guidance
Assume milk chocolate is harmless (dose matters)

Treatment

Decontamination:

Induced vomiting if recent ingestion and dog is stable
Activated charcoal to bind remaining theobromine
May give multiple doses due to theobromine recirculation

Supportive care:

Intravenous fluids to enhance elimination and maintain hydration
Medications to control:
- Heart rate and abnormal rhythms
- Blood pressure
- Agitation and tremors
- Seizures
Continuous monitoring: ECG, blood pressure, temperature, neurologic status

Hospitalization:

Common for moderate to large ingestions
Typically 12-36 hours depending on dose and symptoms

Recovery Timeline

First 24-48 hours (most critical):

Heart rhythm and neurologic monitoring
With early treatment, vomiting and agitation settle
Vital signs stabilize

Days 2-3:

Gradual return of normal appetite and activity
Ongoing monitoring if significant dose or persistent signs

After 3-7 days:

Most dogs fully recover with timely care
Severe cases may need longer medication and rest

Home Care (After Hospital Discharge)

Medications:

Give prescribed medications exactly as directed
May include heart medications or sedatives

Activity:

Quiet rest initially
Restrict strenuous activity until cleared by veterinarian
Gradual return to normal exercise

Monitoring:

Watch for vomiting or agitation
Monitor for tremors
Check breathing (should be comfortable, not rapid)
Note heart rate if taught by veterinarian

Follow-up:

Attend scheduled rechecks if advised
May need ECG or bloodwork for significant exposures

When To Seek Emergency Care

Return immediately if:

New or worsening vomiting
Seizures or collapse
Severe agitation or restlessness
Tremors
Very fast or irregular heartbeat
Rapid or labored breathing

Prognosis

With prompt care:

Generally good with early decontamination
Most dogs recover fully

Guarded if:

Large ingestion
Treatment delayed
Seizures or severe arrhythmias occurred

Long-term effects:

Uncommon
Rare cases may have residual cardiac or neurologic issues after severe intoxication

Prevention

Storage:

Keep chocolate in sealed containers out of reach
Do not leave desserts or gift baskets on counters
Do not place gifts containing chocolate under tree within dog's reach
Use pet-proof trash bins

During holidays and parties:

Be extra vigilant with increased chocolate in home
Educate guests not to share chocolate with dogs
Secure gift bags and party favors
Clean up wrappers immediately

Safe alternatives for dogs:

Carob-based treats (naturally chocolate-free)
Veterinary-approved dog biscuits
Dog-safe "pupcakes"

Education:

Teach children not to share chocolate with dogs
Remind family and visitors of chocolate risks
Keep emergency contact numbers accessible

Key Points to Remember

✓ Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder are most dangerous ✓ Dose matters - small dogs affected by smaller amounts ✓ Do NOT wait for symptoms - call immediately ✓ Treatment focuses on decontamination and symptom control ✓ Early care prevents serious complications ✓ Most dogs recover fully with prompt treatment ✓ Prevention: secure storage, especially during holidays

References

Beasley, V.R., et al. (2023). A Systems Affected Approach to Veterinary Toxicology. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Drolet, R., et al. (2023). Cacao Bean Shell Poisoning in a Dog. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Finlay, F. (2023). Chocolate Poisoning. British Medical Journal.

Hooser, S.B., Beasley, V.R. (2023). Methylxanthine Poisoning (Chocolate and Caffeine Toxicosis). In: Current Veterinary Therapy for Small Animal Practice, 10th ed. WB Saunders.