Food Toxicity · For Dogs
Chocolate toxicity calculator for dogs (theobromine)
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. The risk depends on the type of chocolate, the amount eaten and your dog's weight. This calculator estimates the dose in mg per kg using the content and thresholds published in the Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Signs start
- 6-12 hours
- Can last
- Up to 72 hours
- Best treated
- Within ~2 hours
If your dog ate chocolate, call now. Don't wait for symptoms.
Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply). Don't make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.
Outside the US? Call your vet, your nearest emergency vet clinic or your local animal poison service.
Danger Levels · 02
How much is dangerous
| Dose | What can happen |
|---|---|
| About 20 mg/kg | Mild signs: vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst |
| 40-50 mg/kg | Heart effects: racing or irregular heartbeat |
| 60 mg/kg or more | Seizures possible |
| 100-200 mg/kg | Textbook lethal range, but severe signs and deaths happen at lower doses |
Chocolate Types · 03
Theobromine and caffeine by chocolate type
| Type | mg per oz | mg per g |
|---|---|---|
| White chocolate | 1 | 0.04 |
| Milk chocolate | 65 | 2.3 |
| Semisweet or dark chocolate | 159 | 5.6 |
| Unsweetened baker's chocolate | 439 | 15.5 |
| Dry cocoa powder | 808 | 28.5 |
| Cocoa bean hulls or mulch | 255 | 9 |
Source: Merck Veterinary Manual, Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals. Semisweet and dark chocolate use the upper value (5.6 mg/g). Some cocoa mulches are treated to remove methylxanthines.
What about cats?
Cats rarely eat chocolate, but theobromine is toxic to them too. Published dose thresholds are for dogs, so this calculator doesn't estimate risk for cats. If your cat ate chocolate, call your vet or a poison line.
Frequently Asked · 04