Sweets & Other · Food guide
Can dogs eat chocolate?
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which attack a dog's heart and nervous system. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is.
Not a substitute for advice from your vetUpdated Sep 26, 2026
AI imageDid your dog eat chocolate?
Call your vet or an emergency vet right away, even if your dog still seems fine. Don't try to make your dog vomit yourself. On the phone, say what your dog ate, how much, when, and how much your dog weighs.
Chocolate calculator
How dangerous was the amount?
Enter your dog's weight, the type of chocolate and the amount. The calculator shows the theobromine dose per kilogram and what you should do now.
Why chocolate is toxic to dogs
Why it's dangerous
- Cocoa powder and baking chocolate are the most dangerous; white chocolate contains hardly any theobromine
- Also found in cakes, cookies, granola bars and cocoa shell mulch in the garden
- Dogs break down theobromine very slowly: after about 17.5 hours, only half of it is gone
- All that fat can trigger pancreatitis
Signs of poisoning
- Intense thirst, vomiting, diarrhea
- Bloated belly, restlessness, hyperactivity
- Frequent urination, wobbly gait
- Muscle tremors and seizures
- Racing heart, irregular heartbeat, rapid breathing
Keep an eye on dangerous foods
Kahuno shows you what your dog must not eat
Dogs should never eat chocolate. If the dangerous ingredient shows up in a food or snack, Kahuno shows the red safety rating the moment you log it, for everyone in the household who feeds the dog.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my dog ate chocolate?
Use the chocolate calculator to work out how much theobromine your dog got, then call your vet or an emergency vet. Tell them the type of chocolate, how much, when, and how much your dog weighs. Within the first 2 hours, the vet can often still make your dog vomit. Don't try to induce vomiting yourself.
How much chocolate is toxic to dogs?
What matters is the dose of theobromine and caffeine per kilogram of body weight. Mild signs appear from about 20 mg/kg, the heart is affected from 40 to 50 mg/kg, and seizures become a risk from 60 mg/kg. A 10 kg dog reaches 20 mg/kg with just about 87 g of milk chocolate, 36 g of dark chocolate or 7 g of cocoa powder.
Is white chocolate toxic to dogs?
Barely. White chocolate contains only traces of theobromine. But it's very high in fat and sugar and can cause diarrhea or pancreatitis.
How long does it take for signs of chocolate poisoning to show?
Usually 6 to 12 hours after eating. In severe cases, they can last up to 72 hours, because dogs break down theobromine very slowly. So a dog that seems fine shortly after eating chocolate is not out of danger yet.
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- FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs, September 2025, Kapitel 7.7.2, Chocolate toxicity.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals (C. Hayes, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center), Februar 2026, Gehalte, Grenzwerte, Symptome und Behandlung.
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, Eintrag 170273, Chocolate, dark, 70–85 % cacao solids.