Start by finding the wrapper so you know the type and amount. Then use the chocolate calculator for a weight-based estimate, and call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center.
Enter weight and amount to get an urgency level and next steps.
What to do right now
- Move your dog away from the source and pick up anything left over.
- Find the packaging, label, or plant so you know exactly what was eaten and how much.
- Note your dog's weight and the time it happened.
- Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center. Do this even if your pet seems normal.
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a professional tells you to.
- Follow the advice you are given, and bring the packaging to the clinic.
Why chocolate is dangerous
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs break down far more slowly than people do. Because they linger in the body, even a moderate dose can cause a long-lasting reaction.
The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa powder carry the most theobromine, dark chocolate is next, and milk chocolate has much less. White chocolate contains almost none, but its fat and sugar can still upset the stomach. Gram for gram, baking chocolate has roughly ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate, so a small square of baking chocolate can be worse than a whole milk chocolate bar.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Excessive thirst and more frequent urination
- Restlessness, pacing, or hyperactivity
- Panting and a racing heart
- Tremors, muscle stiffness, or seizures at higher doses
- Raised body temperature
Timeline: when signs appear
Signs usually begin 6 to 12 hours after a dog eats chocolate, starting with vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness. Heart rhythm changes can appear at doses around 40 to 50 mg of theobromine per kg, and tremors or seizures become possible from about 60 mg/kg. Because dogs clear theobromine slowly, signs can last up to 72 hours in severe cases.
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
What the vet will do
If your dog ate the chocolate recently, the vet may induce vomiting to remove it before it is absorbed, then give activated charcoal to soak up what remains. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home unless a veterinarian or poison control tells you to.
For larger doses, treatment may include IV fluids to help flush theobromine out, medicine to control heart rate or tremors, and monitoring of heart rhythm and temperature. Most dogs treated early recover fully.
How to prevent it
- Store chocolate, cocoa powder, and baking supplies in closed cabinets, not on counters or low shelves.
- Be extra careful around holidays such as Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter, and the winter holidays, when candy is everywhere.
- Keep purses, backpacks, and coat pockets off the floor.
- Ask guests and children not to share treats with your dog.
For a room-by-room list you can print, see the pet poison-proofing checklist.
Halloween tip: candy bowls and trick-or-treat bags are a top cause of pet poisoning calls. See My dog ate Halloween candy: what to do.
Enter weight and amount to get an urgency level and next steps.
Frequently asked questions
How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?
It depends on the chocolate type and your dog's weight. Mild signs can begin around 20 mg of theobromine per kg of body weight, and more serious heart and nervous system effects appear at higher doses. Our chocolate calculator does the math for you.
My dog ate chocolate but seems fine. Should I still call?
Yes. Signs often take 6 to 12 hours to appear, and treatment works best before they start. Call your vet or a poison control center even if your dog looks normal.
Is white chocolate dangerous for dogs?
White chocolate contains very little theobromine, so poisoning is unlikely, but the fat and sugar can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis. Check that it did not contain nuts, raisins, or xylitol.
Can I make my dog throw up at home?
Only if a veterinarian or poison control center tells you to. Inducing vomiting the wrong way can cause serious harm.