Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?
Emergency🚨 Dangerous — act now
No — chocolate is toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate and the smaller the dog, the more dangerous it is. Use our calculator to check the exact dose.
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine — stimulants dogs metabolize far more slowly than humans. Dark and baking chocolate carry 5–10× more theobromine than milk chocolate, which is why a few squares of 85% dark can hospitalize a small dog while a stray M&M usually won't. Severity is entirely dose-by-weight, which is why vets calculate mg of theobromine per kg of body weight.
What makes it dangerous: Theobromine + caffeine (methylxanthines)
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Restlessness, pacing, panting
- Racing heart rate
- Tremors or twitching
- Seizures (severe doses)
What to do right now
- Figure out what type of chocolate and roughly how much was eaten
- Use our chocolate toxicity calculator to estimate the dose for your dog's weight
- If the dose is moderate or higher — or you're unsure — call your vet or a poison hotline now
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control · Merck Veterinary Manual. Educational reference — not veterinary advice.