We often get asked the question How Much Chocolate Is Toxic To Dogs It’s a question that is mostly seasonal – Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas for obvious reasons.
From the poodle who mistook his owner’s valentines chocolates for his … to the beagle that ate a whole box of chocolate wrapped under the Christmas tree (wrapping and all!), chocolate toxicity is a common problem!
NOTE, if you think that your dog has eaten chocolate, but are not sure. please check out my other articles titled:
If Your Dog Has Eaten Chocolate | Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Signs Your Dog Has Eaten Chocolate
If your dog has eaten chocolate call your vet, or animal poison control (1-888-426-4435 in Canada and the U.S.).
What Is Chocolate Toxicity?
Chocolate is one treat you should definitely not share with your dog!
Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, although safe for humans these properties can cause poisoning for dogs. Symptoms your dog may experience are
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased heart and respiration rate including
- body temperature
- Seizures in severe cases
- insomnia and frequent urination
- weakness and fatigue
- restlessness
- muscle rigidity/tremors
The levels of theobromine are often much higher in darker chocolate, while sweeter milk and white chocolate will have lower amounts.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate
So what do you do if your cheeky dog eats your chocolate stash? Contact your veterinarian immediately and let them know how much your dog has ingested.
They will often ask other questions, such as the type of chocolate, the weight of your dog, and their symptoms.
Your dog may need to be admitted for supportive care such as fluid therapy to help flush out the toxin and replace fluids lost.
Your dog may also need medication to help regulate its heart rate and prevent seizures.
So err on the side of caution and consider any amount of chocolate to be toxic.
How Long Does it Take for the Effects of Chocolate to Come About?
The truth is, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a day for the dangerous effects of chocolate to come to light.
How quickly these effects become evident depends on a number of factors, including:
- How much chocolate has your dog consumed
- How healthy your dog is
- How much other food your dog has eaten that day
- How old your dog is
- How fast your dog’s body processes sugar and fat
- How much you know about dogs and dog safety
Prevention Is ALWAYS Better Than Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no antidote for chocolate poisoning in dogs.
As a dog owner, it is essential to make sure there is no chocolate in your pet’s reach. Be extra vigilant over festive times, such as Christmas, Valentines’ Day, and Easter during which chocolate poisoning cases skyrocket!
Luckily for our beagle friend an overnight stay was all that was required, although I’m sure that their owner remembers the Christmas they had to call their vet and say my dog ate dark chocolate…. and the wrappers and box with them!
How Much Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs
Another question people ask their vets is: ” How much chocolate can a dog eat without dying from chocolate poisoning?”
Unfortunately, as you have read above, is not an easy question to answer.
It all depends on the type and size of the dog, the type, and the amount of chocolate. What else the dog has eaten and over what period of time the chocolate was consumed.
Use this Chocolate Toxicity Calculator to work out how much chocolate it would take to cause real concern for your dog/dog.
But remember, it is only a guide.
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