Dog Chocolate Toxicity Meter - When To Worry - PetMD

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Weight of your dog (pounds)1250My dog weighs 1 lbsType of ChocolateSelect a ChocolateBakers ChocolateCocoa PowderDark ChocolateMilk ChocolateSemi-Sweet ChocolateWhite ChocolateType of ChocolateAmount Consumed (ounces)Amount Consumed (ounces)View list of common chocolates and amountsGet My Results

What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate?

If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, or if they have any of these symptoms, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian or emergency vet right away:

• 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)

Keep in mind, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. If your dog has already developed clinical signs associated with chocolate toxicity, the veterinarian visit may be more expensive, and the outcome may be worse.

If your dog has already developed clinical signs associated with chocolate toxicity, the veterinarian visit may be more expensive and the outcome may be worse.

Common Chocolate Sources:

Ice Cream Rich ChocolateServing: 1 cup ( 148g)Theobromine: 178mgCaffeine: 5.9mg

KIT KAT Wafer BarServing: 1 bar (42g)Theobromine: 48.7mgCaffeine: 5.9mg

Peanut M&M'sServing: 1 cup (170g)Theobromine: 184mgCaffeine: 17mg

REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups (2pk)Serving: 2 cups (45g)Theobromine: 32.4mgCaffeine: 3.2mg

Ready to Eat Chocolate PuddingServing: 4 oz (108g)Theobromine: 75.6mgCaffeine: 2.2mg

Doughnut, cake-type, chocolate, sugared or glazedServing: 1 Doughnut (3' dia) (43g)Theobromine: 12.6mgCaffeine: 0.6mg

Hershey's Milk Chocolate BarServing: 1.55 oz (43g)Theobromine: 64mgCaffeine: 9mg

Chocolate Chip Cookies , made with margarineServing: 1 Cookie Med (2 1/4" dia) (16g)Theobromine: 20.3mgCaffeine: 2.6mg

Hershey's Chocolate SyrupServing: 2 Tbsp (39g)Theobromine: 64mgCaffeine: 5mg

Milky WayServing: 1 bar (58g)Theobromine: 37.1 mgCaffeine: 3.5mg

Hershey's KISSES (Milk Chocolate)Serving: 9 pieces (41g)Theobromine: 61mgCaffeine: 9mg

Generic Hot Fudge Sundae ToppingServing: 1 Sundae (158g)Theobromine: 77.4mgCaffeine: 1.6mg

Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking BarServing: 1 Tbsp (15g)Theobromine: 55mgCaffeine: 7mg

REESE'S PIECES CandyServing: 1 package (46g)Theobromine: 0mgCaffeine: 0mg

Cookies, brownies, commercially preparedServing: 1 Square (2 –3/4" sq x 7/8") (56g)Theobromine: 43.7mgCaffeine: 1.1mg

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

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, a 50-pound dog could become equally sick from eating 8 ounces (½ pound) of milk chocolate as they would from 1 ounce of baker’s chocolate. This is because the darker chocolate is more toxic, so a smaller amount would still result in toxicity.

Why Isn't Chocolate Toxic to Humans?

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