What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Dogs

Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger.

For instance, 8 ounces (a ½ pound) of milk chocolate may sicken a 50-pound dog, whereas a dog of the same size can be poisoned by as little as 1 ounce of Baker's chocolate!

Why Isn't Chocolate Toxic to Humans?

Humans can break down and excrete methylxanthines such as theobromine much more efficiently than dogs.

What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate?

If you know your dog has ingested chocolate , or has any of the symptoms1 below, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680 or your veterinarian right away.

Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes for a much more expensive veterinary visit!

Common Household Items

Common Household Items Serving Theobrominea Caffeinea Ice Cream Rich Chocolate 1 cup ( 148g) 178mg 5.9mg Peanut M&M's 1 cup (170g) 184mg 17mg Ready to Eat Chocolate Pudding 4 oz (108g) 75.6mg 2.2mg Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar 1.55 oz (43g) 64mg 9mg Hershey's Chocolate Syrup 2 Tbsp (39g) 64mg 5mg Hershey's KISSES (Milk Chocolate) 9 pieces (41g) 61mg 9mg Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking Bar 1 Tbsp (15g) 55mg 7mg Cookies, brownies, commercially prepared 1 Square (2 –3/4” sq x 7/8") (56g) 43.7mg 1.1mg KIT KAT Wafer Bar 1 bar (42g) 48.7mg 5.9mg REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups (2pk) 2 cups (45g) 32.4mg 3.2mg Doughnut, cake-type, chocolate, sugared or glazed 1 Doughnut (3' dia) (43g) 12.6mg 0.6mg Chocolate Chip Cookies , made with margarine 1 Cookie Med (2 1/4" dia) (16g) 20.3mg 2.6mg Milky Way 1 bar (58g) 37.1 mg 3.5mg Generic Hot Fudge Sundae Topping 1 Sundae (158g) 77.4mg 1.6mg REESE'S PIECES Candy 1 package (46g) 0mg 0mg

aThe amount of caffeine and theobromine will vary naturally due to growing conditions and cocoa bean sources and variety.

Foods Highest in Theobromine

Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali [Dutch cocoa] 1 cup (86g) 2266 mg 67.1mg Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares 1 cup, grated (132g) 1712 mg 106mg Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened 1 cup (86g) 1769 mg 198mg Baking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid 1 oz (28g) 447 mg 13.2mg Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, regular, dry mix 1 Package (40g) 238 mg 7.2mg Desserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix 1 Package, 2 oz (57g) 242 mg 7.4mg Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, instant, dry mix 1 Package, 1.4oz box (40g) 189 mg 5.6mg Syrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup 2 tbsp (35g) 68.3 mg 2.1mg Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali 1 oz (28g) 685 mg 20.2mg Candies, chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids I bar (101g) 810 mg 80.8mg Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain 1 Tbsp (5g) 92.6 mg 10.3mg

Symptoms of concern include:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Increased body temperature

Increased reflex responses

Muscle rigidity

Rapid breathing

Increased heart rate

Low blood pressure

Seizures

Advanced signs (cardiac failure, weakness, and coma)

"CAFFEINE & THEOBROMINE." The Hershey Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.

"Nutrition Information." Nutrition Facts, Calories in Food, Labels, Nutritional Information and Analysis – NutritionData.com. Condé Nast, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.