Calculator
Dog Chocolate Toxicity Calculator
Your dog ate chocolate? Tap how big your dog is, which chocolate it got into and how much is missing. The calculator shows how much theobromine and caffeine your dog took in per kilogram and what you should do now.
Not a substitute for veterinary adviceValues: Merck Veterinary ManualValues checked on Oct 9, 2026
How much does your dog weigh?
What did your dog eat?
ToxicityHow much is missing?
When, and how is your dog doing?
Important: The result is a rough guide, not a diagnosis. The calculator is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Sensitivity, pre-existing conditions and stomach contents affect how chocolate hits your dog. If you suspect your dog ate some, call your vet, an animal hospital or a pet poison hotline right away. Don't wait for the result.
How much chocolate is toxic to dogs?
From these amounts on, mild signs of poisoning are possible (20 mg/kg). Twice the amount can affect the heart, three times the amount can trigger seizures.
| Type | 5 kg dog | 10 kg dog | 20 kg dog | 30 kg dog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White chocolate | over 1 kg | over 1 kg | over 1 kg | over 1 kg |
| Milk chocolate | 43 g | 87 g | 174 g | 261 g |
| Semisweet or bittersweet chocolate | 18 g | 36 g | 71 g | 107 g |
| Dark chocolate, 70–85% cacao | 11 g | 23 g | 45 g | 68 g |
| Baking chocolate, 100% cacao | 6.5 g | 13 g | 26 g | 39 g |
| Cocoa powder (baking cocoa) | 3.5 g | 7 g | 14 g | 21 g |
| Cocoa bean shell mulch | 11 g | 22 g | 44 g | 67 g |
A bar usually weighs 100 g, a square about 5 g.
Dog ate chocolate: what to do?
- 1Take the rest away from your dog and keep the wrapper. It lists the type, cocoa content and weight.
- 2Estimate how much is missing and calculate the dose above. When in doubt, go with the larger amount.
- 3Call your vet or an emergency vet. Within the first 2 hours, the vet can often still make your dog vomit.
- 4Don't induce vomiting yourself, for example with salt. Watch your dog for 24 to 72 hours.
How the calculator works
The formula
Dose (mg/kg) = amount (g) × content (mg/g) ÷ body weight (kg)
Example: A 10 kg dog eats 50 g of bittersweet chocolate (70–85% cocoa). We assume 8.8 mg/g, a sample value that varies by type and cocoa content. 50 × 8.8 ÷ 10 = 44 mg/kg. That's in the range where, along with stomach upset and restlessness, heart symptoms such as a racing heart and arrhythmias can occur. From about 60 mg/kg, seizures are possible.
Content by type
- White chocolate0.04 mg/g
- Milk chocolate2.3 mg/g
- Semisweet or bittersweet chocolate5.6 mg/g
- Dark chocolate, 70–85% cacao8.8 mg/g
- Baking chocolate, 100% cacao15.5 mg/g
- Cocoa powder (baking cocoa)28.5 mg/g
- Cocoa bean shell mulch9 mg/g
The thresholds
- Below the toxic threshold0–20 mg/kg
At this dose, no signs of poisoning are expected. Fat and sugar can still irritate the stomach and gut.
- Mild poisoning possible20–40 mg/kg
From 20 mg/kg, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and excessive thirst can occur.
- The heart is at risk40–60 mg/kg
From 40 to 50 mg/kg, a racing heart and abnormal heart rhythms can occur.
- Seizures possible60–100 mg/kg
From 60 mg/kg, there's a risk of trembling and seizures.
- Life-threateningfrom 100 mg/kg
From 100 mg/kg, the poisoning is life-threatening.
Why is chocolate toxic to dogs?
Theobromine, signs of poisoning and hidden chocolate around the house
FAQ
How does the chocolate calculator work?
It multiplies the amount eaten by the theobromine and caffeine content of the chocolate type and divides by body weight. It compares the result in mg per kg with the thresholds from the Merck Veterinary Manual: mild signs from 20 mg/kg, heart problems from 40 to 50 mg/kg, seizures from 60 mg/kg.
How much chocolate is toxic for a 10 kg dog?
Mild signs of poisoning are possible from around 87 g of milk chocolate, 36 g of dark chocolate, 23 g of bittersweet chocolate with 70 to 85% cocoa and 7 g of cocoa powder. Twice the amount can affect the heart.
Why is dark chocolate more dangerous than milk chocolate?
Theobromine is found in the cocoa solids. The higher the cocoa content, the more theobromine per gram: bittersweet chocolate contains almost four times as much as milk chocolate, cocoa powder more than twelve times as much.
How accurate is the calculator?
It gives an estimate. Theobromine content varies by product, the amount eaten is often unclear, and some dogs are more sensitive. If your dog shows signs, those matter more than any calculation. When in doubt, call your vet.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals (C. Hayes, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center), Februar 2026, Gehalte, Grenzwerte, Symptome und Behandlung. Accessed on Oct 9, 2026.
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, Eintrag 170273, Chocolate, dark, 70–85 % cacao solids.