Can dogs eat Chocolate?
No - Chocolate is toxic to dogs
No - chocolate is toxic to dogs and can be fatal. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs cannot process safely. Dark and cooking chocolate are the most dangerous. If your dog has eaten chocolate, contact your vet straight away.
How much is safe?
None. Chocolate is never safe for dogs - not even a little.
There is no safe amount of chocolate for a dog. This is not a treat to give in moderation - it is a food to keep out of reach entirely. Even small quantities of dark chocolate can be dangerous for a small dog, so treat any chocolate as a hazard.
Symptoms to watch for
Signs usually appear within a few hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, a racing heart, excessive thirst, panting and tremors. In serious cases chocolate can cause seizures, an irregular heartbeat and death. Symptoms can last for a couple of days because theobromine leaves the body so slowly.
Think they have eaten Chocolate?
Contact your vet or an emergency vet line immediately if your dog eats chocolate, even if they seem fine. Have the type of chocolate, the amount and your dog's weight ready, as these guide treatment. The sooner you act, the better the outcome.
We read labels, we are not vets - in an emergency your vet is the only right answer.
What happens
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, stimulants that dogs clear from their bodies far more slowly than people do, so they build up to harmful levels. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more theobromine it holds, which is why dark and cooking chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous, and white chocolate the least. The size of your dog and the amount eaten both matter.
Can dogs eat these?
Common questions
How much chocolate is dangerous for a dog?
It depends on the type of chocolate and the size of the dog - dark and cooking chocolate are far more dangerous than milk chocolate. There is no safe amount, so treat any chocolate as a hazard and call your vet if your dog eats some.
What are the signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs?
Vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, a racing heart, excessive thirst, panting and tremors, sometimes progressing to seizures. Signs usually start within a few hours and can last a couple of days. Contact your vet at the first suspicion.
My dog ate chocolate but seems fine - should I still call the vet?
Yes. Symptoms can take hours to appear, and acting early gives the best outcome. Call your vet or an emergency line straight away with the type, amount and your dog's weight, rather than waiting to see what happens.
Looking for a food to feed instead? browse the directory or read the guides.
This is label analysis, not veterinary advice - if your dog has a health condition, talk to your vet before switching foods.