InstantVet-reference dosesWhat to do next

Dog ate chocolate? Check how serious it is

Enter your dog's weight, the kind of chocolate and roughly how much. You'll see the theobromine dose, what it usually means, and who to call.

Fill in the weight and amount to see the dose.

How the dose is worked out

Chocolate's danger is theobromine (plus some caffeine). The calculator multiplies the amount by the typical theobromine in that kind of chocolate and divides by your dog's weight. We use the high end of each range, to err on the safe side.

Chocolate	Theobromine per ounce	Per 10 g
White chocolate	about 0.25 mg	under 0.1 mg
Milk chocolate	44–58 mg	15–20 mg
Dark or semisweet	138–150 mg	49–53 mg
Baking (unsweetened)	about 450 mg	about 160 mg
Cocoa powder	up to about 800 mg	up to about 280 mg

Mild signs (vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, restlessness) can start around 20 mg per kg of body weight, heart effects around 40 to 50 mg/kg, and seizures from about 60 mg/kg. Signs usually appear 6 to 12 hours after eating and can last a day or more.

What to do right now

Keep the wrapper

It tells the vet the type and weight. Take away anything left.

Call for advice

Your vet or emergency vet. US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 (fees apply).

Don't wait it out

Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet says so, and don't wait for signs if the dose is in the warning range.

Questions, answered

How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?

It depends on the dog's weight and the chocolate. Mild signs can start around 20 mg of theobromine per kg of body weight, heart effects around 40 to 50 mg/kg and seizures from about 60 mg/kg. Dark and baking chocolate reach those doses with much smaller amounts than milk chocolate.

How long after eating chocolate will a dog show symptoms?

Usually within 6 to 12 hours, and signs can last a day or more. Don't wait for symptoms if the amount is in the warning range: call your vet.

Is white chocolate dangerous for dogs?

White chocolate has almost no theobromine, so poisoning is very unlikely, but the fat and sugar can still cause vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis.

Should I make my dog throw up?

Only if a vet tells you to. Call your vet or a poison line first; they'll tell you whether making your dog vomit is safe and how.

Is this a diagnosis?

No. It's an estimate from veterinary reference values to help you decide how urgently to call. Your vet makes the call, especially for puppies, older dogs and dogs with heart problems.