My Dog Ate Chocolate
Why is chocolate bad for dogs?
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is a chemical that is similar to caffeine.
Dogs are particularly sensitive to theobromine and it can be poisonous to them in large enough amounts.
Theobromine can make dogs unwell in a number of different ways, but its main effect is to cause an overstimulation of their muscles, including their heart.
How much chocolate is dangerous for my dog?
It’s difficult to say how much chocolate is toxic to an individual dog because it depends on two main factors:
- How big your dog is (typically, bigger dogs can tolerate more chocolate than smaller dogs)
- How much theobromine they’ve eaten
Darker and more expensive chocolates usually have more theobromine and are more likely to be harmful to dogs.
If your dog ate some chocolate, use the Chocolate Toxicity Calculator at the top of this post.
What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning?
Dogs with chocolate poisoning may initially be sick, have stomach pain or an upset stomach.
Theobromine is a stimulant, so it can cause your dog to become excitable or develop muscle twitching, tremors, fitting or they may have a high heart rate.
Other signs can include drinking a lot, dribbling, not walking in a straight line and fast breathing. If enough chocolate is eaten then the effects can be severe or even fatal.