Emergency
  • Chocolate: Toxic
  • Caffeine (coffee, tea and energy drinks): Toxic
  • Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants: Toxic
  • Xylitol: Toxic

Chocolate and dogs: why darker is worse

Chocolate is toxic to dogs. How serious it is depends on how much was eaten, the type of chocolate and the size of the dog, and the darker the chocolate, the greater the risk. 3 sources

Updated 28 October 2026 2 min read Checked against 3 veterinary organisations

In short

  • Never give a dog chocolate. 2 sources
  • Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous, but any chocolate can be toxic if enough is eaten. 3 sources
  • If your dog has eaten chocolate, keep the packaging and call your vet straight away. Do not wait for symptoms. 2 sources

Why is chocolate toxic to dogs?

Chocolate is made with cocoa solids, which contain theobromine, a substance that is toxic to dogs. Chocolate also contains caffeine. 3 sources

How serious it is depends on the amount and type of chocolate eaten and the size and health of the dog. Source

Is dark chocolate worse than milk chocolate?

Yes. The darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids and theobromine it contains, and the more toxic it is likely to be. Cocoa powder is especially toxic. 2 sources

TypeRisk
Cocoa powderEspecially toxic: a very high concentration of cocoa solids
Dark chocolateMore cocoa solids, more toxic
Milk chocolateFewer cocoa solids, but still toxic if enough is eaten
White chocolateNo cocoa solids, but a lot of fat and sugar, which can upset the stomach

4 sources

Chocolate sweets and baked goods can also contain other things that are harmful to dogs, such as raisins or xylitol. Garden mulch made from cocoa shells is another source to avoid. 3 sources

How soon do signs of chocolate poisoning appear?

Sources give different times. PDSA says signs usually appear within two to four hours but can take up to 12 hours. The Merck Veterinary Manual says they usually begin within 6 to 12 hours. 2 sources

Signs to watch for 2 sources

  • Restlessness, agitation or hyperactivity
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Drinking and weeing more than usual
  • Tummy pain
  • High temperature
  • Fast heart rate
  • Seizures in severe cases

What should I do if my dog ate chocolate?

Keep the packaging and call your vet or an animal poison helpline straight away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. 2 sources

Call now, even at night. The emergency page has what to do first and the animal poison helplines for your country.

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Sources: show 18 quoted passages
  1. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning Dogs should never be given chocolate. Read on 28 October 2026
  2. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (theobromine) Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is perfectly safe for humans, but toxic for dogs, cats and rabbits. Read on 28 October 2026
  3. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (cocoa solids) Chocolate is made with cocoa solids, which contain a substance called theobromine. Read on 28 October 2026
  4. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (darker chocolate) the darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids/theobromine it will contain and the more toxic it's likely to be. Read on 28 October 2026
  5. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (milk chocolate) However, even chocolate with less cocoa solids can be toxic if enough is eaten. Read on 28 October 2026
  6. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (cocoa powder) Cocoa powder is especially toxic because it contains an extremely high concentration of cocoa solids. Read on 28 October 2026
  7. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (white chocolate) it does contain a lot of fat and sugar, which can cause stomach upsets and in severe cases, pancreatitis. Read on 28 October 2026
  8. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (timing) Symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually appear within two to four hours but can take up to 12 hours. Read on 28 October 2026
  9. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (symptoms) Excitement, restlessness, agitation and hyperactivity Diarrhoea Vomiting Drinking and weeing more than usual Abdominal (tummy) pain Read on 28 October 2026
  10. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (what to do) If your dog has eaten chocolate, keep the packaging and call your vet immediately. Read on 28 October 2026
  11. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (do not wait) If you suspect your dog may have eaten chocolate, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Read on 28 October 2026
  12. PDSA: Chocolate poisoning (cocoa mulch) Avoid using gardening mulches that contain cocoa shell. Read on 28 October 2026
  13. Pet Poison Helpline: Chocolate The severity of the poisoning depends upon the amount and type of chocolate ingested and the size and health status of the patient. Read on 28 October 2026
  14. Pet Poison Helpline: Chocolate (what it contains) Chocolate contains chemicals called methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine. Read on 28 October 2026
  15. PDSA: Grape, raisin, currant and sultana poisoning (foods) when the fruits are readily available in foods such as Christmas cake, hot cross buns, cookies and chocolate. Read on 28 October 2026
  16. Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate toxicosis in animals Clinical effects include vomiting, restlessness, agitation, hyperthermia, tachycardia, and, in severe cases, seizures. Read on 28 October 2026
  17. Merck Veterinary Manual: Food hazards (chocolate timing) Signs of poisoning usually begin within 6 to 12 hours of eating chocolate. Read on 28 October 2026
  18. Merck Veterinary Manual: Food hazards (xylitol) Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used to sweeten sugar-free products such as gums, candies, peanut and nut butters, baked goods, and much more. Read on 28 October 2026

Has your dog eaten something?

Don't keep reading. Call your vet or a poison helpline.

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