How dangerous is each type of chocolate?
Chocolate is toxic because of two stimulants, theobromine and caffeine (together called methylxanthines). Dogs clear them very slowly. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more it contains:
| Type | mg per oz | Amount that may cause signs in a 20 lb dog* |
|---|---|---|
| White chocolate | 1 | Practically none |
| Milk chocolate | 65 | 2.8 oz |
| Semisweet / chocolate chips | 156 | 1.2 oz |
| Dark chocolate (70 to 85% cocoa) | 330 | 16 g (0.55 oz) |
| Unsweetened baker's chocolate | 439 | 12 g (0.41 oz) |
| Dry cocoa powder | 808 | 6 g (0.22 oz) |
| Cocoa bean hull mulch | 255 | 20 g (0.71 oz) |
*At 20 mg/kg, the dose where mild signs can start. Content values come from the Merck Veterinary Manual. Brands vary, so treat these as estimates.
What the mg/kg numbers mean
- Under 20 mg/kg: serious poisoning is unlikely. Some dogs vomit or get diarrhea from the sugar and fat.
- 20 mg/kg: mild signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, thirst and restlessness.
- 40 to 50 mg/kg: heart effects such as a racing or irregular heartbeat, plus agitation and high temperature.
- 60 mg/kg and above: tremors and seizures. This is life-threatening.
What to do right now
- Move your dog away from any remaining chocolate and keep the wrapper. It tells the vet the type and weight.
- Work out roughly how much is missing and when it was eaten.
- Call your vet, an emergency clinic, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).
- Don't give salt, oil or milk, and don't make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
For symptoms, timelines and how vets treat it, read our guide to chocolate toxicity in dogs.
Frequently asked questions
How much chocolate can kill a dog?
Lethal doses of theobromine are reported at 100 to 200 mg/kg, but serious heart problems start around 40 to 50 mg/kg and seizures from 60 mg/kg. For milk chocolate, about 1 oz per pound of body weight is potentially lethal. Dark and baking chocolate are many times stronger.
How long after eating chocolate will a dog get sick?
Signs usually start within 6 to 12 hours and can last up to 72 hours in severe cases, because theobromine stays in a dog’s body for a long time (half-life about 17.5 hours).
Should I make my dog throw up after eating chocolate?
Only on the advice of a vet or poison hotline. Vets usually induce vomiting with medicines if the chocolate was eaten within about 2 hours. Home methods like salt are dangerous, and hydrogen peroxide should only be used if a vet tells you to.
My dog ate chocolate but seems fine. Is it OK?
Not necessarily. Signs can take hours to appear. Use the calculator, and call your vet if the dose is 20 mg/kg or more, or if your dog is small, old or has heart problems.