Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs: Signs, Risks and What to Do

If you have found an empty wrapper, a chewed Easter egg box or chocolate around your dog’s mouth, call your vet straight away. If the practice is closed, ring its out-of-hours number or contact an emergency veterinary service. Do not wait to see whether your dog becomes ill.

How ill a dog could become depends on the type and amount of chocolate eaten, its size and when it happened. Keep the packet, wrapper or box if you can. It gives the vet information they can use when advising you.

Why chocolate can make dogs ill

Chocolate contains theobromine from cocoa solids. Dogs break theobromine down far more slowly than people do, so it can build up to harmful levels. Chocolate also contains caffeine, which can be harmful to dogs.

At harmful levels, these substances can affect the nervous system, gut, muscles and heart. Chocolate products that are high in fat and sugar may also cause stomach upset. Chocolate is not a safe treat for dogs, even if your dog has eaten some before and seemed well afterwards.

What affects the risk

Darker chocolate usually contains more cocoa solids and theobromine, so it is more likely to cause poisoning. Dark chocolate typically has more than twice as much theobromine as milk chocolate. Cocoa powder is especially concentrated. Dark cooking chocolate and plain dark chocolate need particular care, but milk chocolate can also be harmful if a dog eats enough of it.

White chocolate contains only tiny traces of theobromine, so theobromine poisoning is unlikely. It is still high in fat and sugar, which can cause a stomach upset and, in severe cases, pancreatitis. Call your vet for advice, especially if your dog ate a large amount or swallowed any packaging.

A small dog or puppy may be affected by an amount that would be less worrying for a larger dog. The time since they ate it also matters. Your vet needs these details to judge the risk and decide what care may be needed. It is not safe to rely on a rough guess or what happened when another dog ate chocolate.

Other ingredients can matter too. Cakes, biscuits and sweets may contain raisins or sultanas, which can cause kidney damage in dogs. Sugar-free products can contain xylitol, a sweetener that is highly poisonous to dogs. Keep the packaging and tell your vet if you see either on the ingredient list.

Signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs

Signs often appear within two to four hours, but they can take up to 12 hours. In severe cases, signs can last for up to three days.

Watch for:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Restlessness, agitation, excitement or hyperactivity

• Drinking and weeing more than usual

• Panting or fast breathing

• Trembling or muscle tremors

• A fast heart rate

• A high temperature

• Seizures, collapse or loss of consciousness

In rare severe cases, chocolate poisoning can lead to heart failure, coma or death. If your dog has a seizure, collapses, has strong tremors or is breathing very quickly after eating chocolate, contact an emergency vet straight away. If possible, call before you travel.

Your dog may look normal soon after eating chocolate, so do not wait for signs before calling. A prompt call lets the practice assess the likely risk and tell you what to do next.

What to do if your dog has eaten chocolate

Call your veterinary practice immediately. If it is closed, use its out-of-hours number or contact an emergency veterinary service. You can also ring Animal PoisonLine, a 24-hour advice line for pet owners run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, on 01202 509000. It charges a fee for each call. Vet Verified’s local and out-of-hours practice directory can help you find a service nearby.

Have your dog’s weight ready, along with the type of chocolate, the amount that may be missing and when it was eaten. Keep wrappers, labels and any chocolate that is left. If the food was homemade or bought from a bakery, tell the vet what you know about the ingredients. A photo of the packaging can help if you need to leave in a hurry.

Do not try to make your dog sick at home. If a dog is seen within a few hours, a vet may give an injection to make them vomit, but this is a decision for the veterinary team. Do not give activated charcoal or any other treatment unless your vet tells you to.

Keep your dog with you while you arrange help, so you can watch for changes. Keep things calm if they are restless and follow the advice you are given.

How a vet may treat chocolate poisoning

Treatment depends on what type of chocolate your dog ate, how much, how long ago and how they are when examined.

If your dog is seen soon after eating chocolate, the vet may give medicine to make them vomit. They may also give activated charcoal to absorb toxins still in the gut. These treatments are not right for every dog, which is why they should only be given on veterinary advice.

Dogs that are more unwell may need fluids through a drip to help with dehydration. Severe tremors or seizures may need sedation, and some dogs need monitoring in hospital. If your dog becomes worse after coming home, contact your vet again.

Most dogs make a full recovery with prompt treatment. Severe poisoning can be fatal, and the risk is highest when a dog has eaten a lot of dark chocolate or cocoa and treatment is delayed.

Reducing the chance of another accident

Store chocolate, cocoa powder and chocolate gifts in a high or locked cupboard. Check bags, coats and parcels as well, as dogs can find treats left inside. Put wrappers straight into a secure bin because dogs may eat chocolate left on them. In the garden, avoid cocoa shell mulch, which contains theobromine and can poison dogs that eat it.

At Easter, Christmas and other celebrations, chocolate is often left on low tables or in open bags. Put Easter eggs, advent calendars, chocolate coins and baked goods away after use. If children live in or visit your home, explain that chocolate is for people and must not be shared with pets.