VeterUSA · Emergency triage
Did your dog eat chocolate?
Answer three things and you'll get a risk level and exactly what to do next. This is a fast estimate, not a diagnosis — when in doubt, call.
Quick guide: a standard Hershey milk bar ≈ 1.5 oz (43 g) · one Hershey's Kiss ≈ 4.5 g · a square of baking chocolate ≈ 28 g (1 oz).
Both helplines are staffed 24/7 by veterinary toxicologists. A consultation fee may apply. If your dog is seizing, collapsing, or struggling to breathe, skip the calculator and go to the nearest ER now.
How chocolate poisoning in dogs works
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, stimulants that dogs break down far more slowly than people do. The danger depends on three things: how much your dog weighs, how much chocolate they ate, and how dark it was. Darker chocolate packs much more theobromine per ounce, so a small amount of baking chocolate or cocoa powder is more dangerous than a large amount of milk chocolate.
Theobromine by chocolate type
| Chocolate type | Theobromine |
|---|---|
| White chocolate | ~0.25 mg/oz |
| Milk chocolate | ~58 mg/oz |
| Dark / semi-sweet | ~150 mg/oz |
| Baking (unsweetened) | ~450 mg/oz |
| Cocoa powder | ~735 mg/oz |
When to worry
Mild signs (vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, restlessness) can start around 20 mg of theobromine per kg of body weight. Heart and nervous-system effects — a racing heart, tremors, and seizures — become likely above 40–60 mg/kg. Symptoms can take 6 to 12 hours to appear and last for days, so an early call to a vet or poison helpline is always worth it.
What if it was white chocolate?
White chocolate has almost no theobromine, so true poisoning is rare. The bigger risk is the fat and sugar, which can upset the stomach or trigger pancreatitis in sensitive dogs. Watch for vomiting and call your vet if it continues.
Is the calculator a substitute for a vet?
No. It gives a fast estimate based on average theobromine levels so you can decide how urgently to act. Recipes vary, and your dog's health and other ingredients (like raisins or xylitol) change the picture. When in doubt, call a veterinarian or an animal poison control line.