My Dog Ate Chocolate—What Do I Do?

Responsible dog owners want to stay on top of potential dangers in their homes. One unassuming hazard for your pooch may be one of your personal faves: chocolate. Whether it’s in solid candy form, or syrup, brownies, cake, ice cream or milk, this sweet confection can be an enticing snack for the pets in your family—and unfortunately a toxic danger.

The size and age of your pet, certain pre-existing health issues (e.g., diabetes, heart disease) the amount of chocolate ingested, how long ago the chocolate was eaten and the type of chocolate it was (baking chocolate, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, etc.) are important factors to relay to your vet if your pup has eaten chocolate.

It’s very important to keep in mind just how toxic chocolate can be to dogs. Even just a few semi-sweet chocolate chips can be toxic for smaller/older or health-compromised dogs. And even though chocolate toxicity may not always prove fatal, it can cause lasting health problems as well.

How quickly your dog is treated after ingesting chocolate can also affect his or her recovery outcome. Read through the information below to find out more about what to look out for regarding chocolate toxicity in dogs. 

Is Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?

Chocolate contains 2 key substances that are toxic to dogs - theobromine and caffeine.

1. Theobromine is dangerous for dogs

Theobromine is a chemical found in chocolate that functions as a stimulant, a lot like caffeine does. Theobromine can increase a dog’s heart rate, affect its nervous system and work as a diuretic, causing your dog to become dehydrated very quickly, which may lead to additional health problems. Theobromine is particularly toxic to dogs because of how slowly it metabolizes in their systems, allowing it to build up to dangerous levels.

2. Caffeine cause problems for dogs

All types of chocolate contain at least some caffeine, with darker chocolates containing more  than others. The presence of caffeine can cause problems similar to those of theobromine such as increased heart rate, dehydration, and kidney damage in your pet.  

Health Tip: Caffeine is dangerous to dogs in any form - chocolate, coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc. Even decaffeinated products contain small amounts of caffeine that can harm pets so keep these safely away from your furry family members. 

If your dog eats chocolate, get to your nearby VEG ER for Pets asap. Our 24-hour emergency vets are trained and ready to treat chocolate toxicity in dogs.

Type of Chocolate Affects Toxicity for Dogs

The darker and more bitter a chocolate is, the higher the theobromine and caffeine levels, hence, the more toxic it is. Baking chocolate, cocoa powder, and unsweetened chocolate are extremely toxic chocolates for dogs, while white chocolate contains lower levels of theobromine, reducing - but not eliminating - its harmfulness. Here is a list of some chocolate types and their potential toxicity threat to your pet from most dangerous to less harmful:

Unsweetened Chocolate - Often called baker’s chocolate in bar form, chocolate nibs, and cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa, contain the highest level of cocoa solids which is where theobromine and caffeine are found. These varieties of chocolate are most toxic to pets and any amount of ingestion should be considered an emergency.

Bittersweet/Dark/Semi-Sweet Chocolate - All contain very toxic levels of theobromine and caffeine but vary by type and amount of cocoa solids found in each. Typically found in candy bars, chocolate chips, and baked goods. Ingestion of any of these chocolate varieties should be treated as an emergency as well. 

Milk Chocolate - Because it contains fewer cocoa solids than darker varieties, milk chocolate has lower levels of caffeine and theobromine, but note there are no “safe” levels of these for pets. Found in candy bars, chocolate chips, baked goods and frozen treats. Contact your vet or VEG ER as soon as you’ve discovered your pet may have eaten some milk chocolate. 

White Chocolate - Even though white chocolate is made from cocoa butter and not cocoa solids (where caffeine and theobromine reside) it can contain trace amounts of theobromine, and its fat content can be problematic for some pets. White chocolate most often comes in bars, chips, frostings and baked goods. It’s still a good idea to contact your vet or VEG since the high fat content in white chocolate can trigger pancreatitis in susceptible pups. 

Health Tip: There is no safe level of any kind of chocolate for your dog to consume, so always err on the side of caution and see your vet if your dog has eaten any chocolate. And be aware of less obvious chocolate ingestion, like cocoa powder spilled on your counter or floor while baking, one of the kids sharing a couple of licks of his chocolate ice cream cone with your pup, or some bits of chocolate in a shared cookie. 

The Quantity of Chocolate Consumed Will Affect Your Dog

It’s not only important to think about the type of chocolate that was eaten but also the amount that your pet consumed. This will be very important information to share with your VEG emergency vet so they have as much insight as possible when making treatment recommendations.

What if your dog only eats a little chocolate?

If your dog eats a small amount of chocolate, they might be just fine except for a little bit of gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea). This is dependent on the type of chocolate they may have eaten as well as the size/weight of your pet, age, and any preexisting health conditions.

Health Tip: If you find a wrapper or container of the chocolate eaten, bring it with you to the vet’s - it may contain helpful information.

The compassionate staff at VEG emergency vet hospitals provide a care experience with less stress. Vets will treat your dog on the floor if that's where they're more comfortable.

Signs of Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

Now that you understand why chocolate is dangerous for dogs, it’s important to be able to identify when your pet may be suffering from chocolate poisoning.

Signs of chocolate toxicity in dogs include:

1. Vomiting and diarrhea from chocolate

These two problems are the earliest signs of chocolate toxicity in dogs. In less critical cases, dogs may simply vomit or have diarrhea a few times and then feel better.

However, in severe cases, these symptoms may progress further to include those listed below.

2. Chocolate toxicity can show up as excessive thirst and urination

Since both theobromine and caffeine are diuretics, dogs may show both excessive thirst and urination when they have ingested too much of these substances. This can quickly lead to dehydration which is always considered a medical emergency.and urination when they have ingested too much of either of these substances.

3. Restlessness in dogs may be due to chocolate toxicity

Caffeine and theobromine are stimulants, and dogs that ingest these substances can behave restlessly. Darker chocolates with higher levels of both theobromine and caffeine can cause these symptoms even if your pup has ingested a small amount.

4. High heart rate in dogs after eating chocolate

An elevated or irregular heart rate is dangerous for your pet, and could lead to cardiac arrest, especially in older dogs or those with underlying health conditions. It can be difficult to monitor your pet’s heart rate at home, so it’s advisable to take him to the emergency vet right away for monitoring and/or treatment.

5. Dog seizures? Check if they ate chocolate

Seizures are one of the most severe symptoms of extreme chocolate toxicity in dogs. This may only occur when a dog has ingested a large quantity of chocolate, but it can sometimes mean the toxicity will become fatal without veterinary treatment.

Take your dog to the vet right away if he shows this symptom after eating chocolate.

Call or come into any VEG and speak to a ER-trained veterinarian immediately.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate

If you know your pet has ingested chocolate, please contact your VEG emergency vet right away. Clinical signs and problems are dose-dependent and can vary widely based on the size of your pet and the type of chocolate ingested.  

Signs can take from 4-24 hours to appear, so don’t wait for them to develop to contact a VEG veterinarian, since often by the time  signs are seen, treatment becomes more difficult.

Treatment for Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

Treatment for your pet will depend on the severity of the chocolate toxicity. 

Life-threatening issues like seizures, tremors or increased/irregular heart rate are treated immediately, usually with medications, and your pet will probably be given IV fluids to keep hydrated. 

Since chocolate tends to be absorbed slowly by pets, your vet may try to detoxify your pet by inducing vomiting if they ingested chocolate within a few hours of their visit, and/or administer oral-activated charcoal, which binds with chocolate in the intestinal tract to help block absorption. They may follow this up with anti-nausea meds and GI protectants.

How to Prevent Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

There are several ways you can make your home safer for your dog and prevent chocolate toxicity:

Better storage of chocolate around pets

If you have chocolate of any kind in your home, be mindful of how you’re storing it and how likely it is that your pet might try to get to it. Whether you have brownies, cookies, bars of milk chocolate, or cocoa powder in your kitchen and/or pantry, they should always be stored in a secure place your pet can’t reach or get into.

Keep cabinets and pantry doors shut whenever possible and don’t leave chocolate treats or wrappers sitting around.

Training your dog to keep away from chocolate

It’s also important to train your pet the “leave it” command to prevent them from grabbing things they shouldn’t, be they edible or inedible. Instilling good habits and obedience in your dog from an early age can save you (and them) lots of trouble later on!

Educate friends and family about a dog's chocolate toxicity

Kids are notorious for giving handouts to pets. Teach them not to give your dog any chocolate or other sweets, and get them into the habit of storing things in their proper place.

Make sure they also get into the habit of keeping cabinets, drawers, and the fridge closed securely right after use.

Do not use cocoa shell mulch if you own a dog

An often overlooked but nonetheless dangerous source of chocolate toxicity in dogs is cocoa shell mulch. Often used as a top cover for gardens, its sweet aroma can be attractive to dogs and result in them ingesting some of the mulch, which can cause illness.

Always avoid using cocoa shell mulch for your landscaping.

Dogs sometimes eat chocolate. Who could blame them? VEG doesn't judge, but we do offer around-the-clock vet care if your dog gets into an emergency situation.

Additional Ingredients in Chocolate Products That Can Be Harmful to Dogs

Please be aware of other ingredients that can be found in chocolate products that are harmful to dogs. These can add to the toxicity levels of  the chocolate your pet may have consumed:

Artificial sweeteners are toxic to dogs

All artificial sweeteners are dangerous for dogs, but Xylitol is the most toxic. Xylitol can cause a dog’s insulin and blood sugar to suddenly drop and can cause seizures. Xylitol is also toxic to your dog’s liver. A large amount can cause liver failure that eventually can lead to death.

Xylitol poisoning is very serious, so if your dog consumes chocolate that contains this sweetener, please seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Health Tip: Many peanut butters are now using Xylitol instead of sugar as a sweetener. Get in the habit of reading labels to be sure there are no harmful ingredients for your pets. 

Fruits and nuts can be extremely harmful to dogs

Some chocolate bars and candies contain added fruit or nuts, which can be dangerous for your pup. Raisins, (and grapes), almonds, pecans, pistachios, macadamia and walnuts are just some additionally toxic ingredients found in chocolate products.

Coffee or coffee beans can cause serious symptoms in dogs

Since chocolate already contains caffeine, the addition of coffee or coffee beans in a chocolate bar or candy can be extremely dangerous for your pet. Too much caffeine can cause your dog to suffer seizures or can even lead to death.

Call a VEG Emergency Vet if Your Dog Has Signs of Chocolate Toxicity

With the help of this information, you should be able to keep your pets safer at With the help of this information, you should be able to keep your pets safer at Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, as well as any time of the year when you have chocolate around. Pay close attention and keep chocolate stored safely out of their reach. By doing this, you can prevent this potentially dangerous problem from occurring at all.

If you know or think your dog has consumed chocolate, call us right away. At VEG, you can speak directly to an emergency veterinarian who will help guide you through what the next steps. All of our VEG locations have teams of expert and compassionate veterinarians who will do everything they can to help if your dog has chocolate toxicity.