Chocolate Toxicity

Estimates of the smallest amounts that may be fatal are:

**Small Dogs under 20 lbs : 4-10 ounces of milk chocolate or 1/2 to 1 ounce of baking chocolate

** Medium dogs 25-45 lbs: 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of milk chocolate and 2-3 ounces of baking chocolate.

** Large dogs such as Labradors and Collies: 2 to 4-1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 4 to 8 ounces of
baking chocolate.

Signs seen with chocolate toxicosis include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, polyuria (increased
urination, polydipsia (increased water drinking), lethargy, tachycardia(rapid heart rate), cardiac
arrhythmias, seizures, and death.

If you think your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate or is acting strangely and may have gotten into
chocolate, please first call Poison Control 1-888-4-ANI-HELP, then call us 650-341-7741 during regular
hours or call an Emergency Clinic (contact info front page) and bring the dog right in.

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are both methylxanthines.These are the
ingredients that cause toxicity in dogs. The amount of methylxanthines present depends on the type
of chocolate. In general, the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it could be.

In fact, unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine as milk chocolate.

Based on ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) experience, mild signs occur in
animals ingesting 10 mg/pound and severe signs are seen at doses over 20mg/pound.

Type of Chocolate Methylxanthines-mg/oz (approx)

Milk chocolate 50-62
Semi Sweet 160
Baking chocolate 428-440

What the Veterinarian Will Do If Your Dog Has Eaten Chocolate:

1. Stabilize the animal if symptomatic: treat life-threatening cardiovascular (heart)
abnormalities and control seizures.
2. Induce vomiting and then give activated charcoal after no longer vomiting.
3. Start an IV catheter and give IV fluids, as well as place a urinary catheter if needed to
prevent reabsorption of caffeine by bladder wall.
4. Continue supportive care until complete recovery.

This article based on information provided by:
Jill A. Richardson, DVM
Veterinary Poison Information Specialist
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center