Assess the situation
Fill in what you know. Estimates are fine, exact numbers are better.
Emergency vet or poison control: which do I call?
Both resources exist for a reason, and in most cases you should use both. Here is how to think about the difference.
Go straight to an emergency vet if…
- Your dog is already vomiting repeatedly, has a racing heartbeat, tremors, or seizures
- It has been more than 2 hours since ingestion, so inducing vomiting at home is no longer reliable
- Your dog has heart disease, is a puppy, senior, or small toy breed
- The chocolate was baking chocolate, dark chocolate, or cocoa powder in any meaningful amount
- A poison control consultation or your vet has told you to bring the dog in
Call poison control first if…
- Your dog just ate the chocolate minutes ago and seems otherwise normal
- You need help deciding whether the amount and type is dangerous for your dog's specific weight
- You want a case number and treatment plan you can hand directly to your regular or emergency vet
- You are unsure whether to induce vomiting at home, which should only be done under professional guidance
In practice, the fastest safe path is usually: call ASPCA Poison Control or Pet Poison Helpline while someone else drives toward the nearest open veterinary clinic. Do not wait to see if symptoms appear. Cardiac effects and seizures can develop even after early vomiting has already passed.
How theobromine toxicosis develops
Theobromine and caffeine, the two stimulant compounds in chocolate, are metabolized far more slowly by dogs than by humans, which is why even a moderate dose can cause a prolonged reaction.
6 – 12 hours
Early signs typically begin
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Restlessness or hyperactivity
- Panting
Following hours (dose-dependent)
Cardiac and neurological signs
- Elevated or abnormal heart rate at doses around 40–50 mg/kg
- Tremors and seizures possible at doses of 60 mg/kg or higher
- Elevated body temperature
- Muscle rigidity
Up to 72 hours
Duration in severe cases
- Clinical signs can persist up to 72 hours after ingestion due to slow theobromine metabolism in dogs
- Ongoing monitoring is typically required through this window in significant ingestions
The reported lethal dose (LD50) of theobromine in dogs is 100–200 mg/kg, but severe signs and death have been documented at meaningfully lower doses in individual dogs. There is no dose considered guaranteed safe for a given dog, especially with baking or dark chocolate.
Published case data behind these estimates
These figures come from veterinary toxicology literature. They describe documented clinical thresholds, not a line between "safe" and "dangerous."
| Theobromine dose | Documented clinical effect |
|---|---|
| ≈ 20 mg/kg body weight | Mild clinical signs: vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst |
| ≈ 40–50 mg/kg body weight | Cardiotoxic effects: abnormal heart rhythm, elevated heart rate |
| ≥ 60 mg/kg body weight | Seizures |
| 100–200 mg/kg body weight | Reported oral LD50 (lethal dose in 50% of cases) |
| Chocolate type | Theobromine per ounce (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Baking / unsweetened chocolate | ≈ 376–450 mg |
| Dark chocolate (60–85% cocoa) | ≈ 130–230 mg |
| Milk chocolate | ≈ 44–60 mg |
| White chocolate | Negligible (trace amounts) |
Theobromine content varies by brand and cocoa percentage. When in doubt about which category a product falls into, choose the higher-risk category for a more conservative estimate.