I am not a veterinarian or a dog nutritionist. This post shares my experience when my dog ate chocolate. If your dog has eaten chocolate and you have health questions, please contact your veterinarian.
This blog post was originally published in June 2014. It has been updated with new information and republished.
Several years ago, J and I walked in the kitchen and noticed that the last piece of chocolate cake was missing. J says “so you ate the last piece of chocolate cake?” Ummmm. No. I thought he was joking at first, but then I saw the container and there was no chocolate cake.
I had taken it out of the fridge to reach room temperature for J. I left it too close to the edge of the counter and someone had taken two big bites and it was gone.
We had four dogs at the time and I had no idea who ate the chocolate cake. But then I gave it some thought and the only counter surfer we had was Rodrigo. I called him into the kitchen, opened his mouth, and saw chocolate on his back teeth.
What Amount of Chocolate Cake Will Cause Toxicity in a Dog?
There are many different treats that are classified as “chocolate” with different percentages of the cacao component that contains theobromine. You have probably heard of white, milk, and dark chocolate, as well as cocoa powder. These contain different levels of the cacao component mixed with other ingredients, such as sugar and oil, to make the final product. White chocolate will have a very low cacao concentration and contains and only trace amounts of theobromine. If your dog eats this type of chocolate, the worst they’ll probably have to face is an upset stomach!
Milk chocolate and dark chocolate contain a much higher percentage of cacao and will have a higher concentration of theobromine. A commercial milk chocolate bar will contain around 2 milligrams of theobromine per gram, while dark chocolate can contain close to 9 milligrams per gram. The lowest recorded toxic dose of theobromine in a dog is 7 mg of theobromine per pound of bodyweight of a dog (16 mg/kg). Whether your dog gets sick or not from eating chocolate is dependent on the type of chocolate, their bodyweight, and how much chocolate was consumed. For a 50-pound (23 kg) dog, it will take just under one and a half ounces (40 g) of dark chocolate to reach the toxic dose. For a 30-pound (13 kg) dog, roughly half of that amount can cause toxic effects.
Cocoa powder, which is often used in baking, also contains high quantities of theobromine – sometimes higher than dark chocolate. Depending on the brand, cocoa powder can contain from 100 mg of theobromine per ounce, making it one of the most poisonous types of chocolate out there.
What chocolate is the worst for dogs?
Well, ultimately, chocolate is bad for dogs. Certain types of chocolate contain high theobromine content: cocoa powder, unsweetened bakers chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate.
But what about chocolate cake?
Yes, we know that’s just chocolate and not a chocolate cake. But you should still be cautious if your dog does happen to munch on some, whether it’s with intention or by accident.
After all, chocolate cake contains cocoa powder, and this ingredient can be fatal to dogs. However, before you consult with a vet, we recommend calculating how much chocolate they’ve eaten.
There are websites like PetMD that have a chocolate toxicity calculator. You can enter its weight, chocolate type, and the amount consumed in ounces on the calculator. Once done, it will provide you with advice on if they’ve consumed too much and it’s dangerous, or if it’s safe for your dog.
Do note, though, that not all dogs react the same way, and some can respond to chocolate differently to others. On average, though, according to the American Kennel Club, it takes around 6-12 hours for symptoms to show the adverse effects of eating chocolate.
If you have used the calculator and it shows high levels, your dog is showing symptoms, or you just don’t want to take the risk, you should contact a vet. When we say to contact a vet, we mean to call them immediately.
You may find your local vet, may want to take your dog in for observation, and undergo a full body check. The vet will take blood tests, a urine sample, and other tests.
If your dog’s symptoms are severe, the vet may admit your dog and put it on an IV, provide it a bland diet and give it fluids to recover. Don’t be surprised either, if your vet gives your dog charcoal, so they can vomit out the toxic chemicals.
FAQ
What happens if my dog ate chocolate cake?
These can include diarrhea, vomiting, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, frequent urinating and seizures. Severe cases may see more advanced issues, such as cardiac arrest, comas and other neurological issues.
How long after eating chocolate will a dog get sick?