Chocolate toxicity calculator
Enter the chocolate type, the amount and your dog’s weight to see how serious it is. If your dog seems unwell, call a vet or poison line now.
Did your dog just eat chocolate?
Call your vet or an emergency animal hospital first. You can fill in this tool while you wait.
(888) 426-4435ASPCA Animal Poison Control · 24/7 · consultation fee may apply(855) 764-7661Pet Poison Helpline · 24/7 · $99 per incidentOr call your vet or nearest emergency clinic.Numbers and fees checked Nov 7, 2026. We’re not affiliated with either service.
Theobromine dose
Enter the amount and your dog’s weight to see the dose.
Emergency? If your dog is vomiting, shaking, collapsing or having a seizure, go to the nearest emergency vet now. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 ($99 per incident).
Not veterinary advice. PupRange gives estimates from published veterinary sources. Every dog is different. If you’re worried, call your veterinarian.
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists mild signs in dogs from about 20 mg of methylxanthines per kg of body weight, heart effects from 40–50 mg/kg and seizures from 60 mg/kg; cocoa powder holds up to 28.5 mg per gram, milk chocolate about 2.3.
How it’s calculated
- Amount. We turn what you entered into grams (1 oz = 28.35 g).
- Theobromine and caffeine per gram. Each type has a value from the Merck Veterinary Manual and USDA FoodData Central. Where they differ, we keep both ends. For “not sure” we count dark chocolate (70–85%). That isn’t the worst case: baking chocolate and cocoa powder have more, so if it could be one of those, pick it.
- Dose. Grams eaten × mg per gram ÷ your dog’s weight in kg gives mg/kg, shown as a range.
- Risk. We compare the top of that range with the Merck thresholds: mild signs from about 20 mg/kg, heart effects from about 40–50 mg/kg, seizures from about 60 mg/kg, and 100–200 mg/kg as potentially lethal. Putting the heart line at 40 is our threshold, the cautious end of Merck’s range.
| Type | mg per gram |
|---|---|
| White chocolate | 0.00–0.04 |
| Milk chocolate | 2.3–2.3 |
| Semisweet chocolate | 5.3–5.6 |
| Dark chocolate (70–85%) | 8.8 |
| Cocoa bean mulch | 9 |
| Baker’s unsweetened chocolate | 13.8–15.5 |
| Cocoa powder | 22.9–28.5 |
This is a guide for deciding how fast to call, not a diagnosis. Dogs differ, and other ingredients (nuts, raisins, sweeteners) aren’t counted here. When in doubt, call your vet or a poison line.
Sources
- Hayes C (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center). Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual (full review Sep 2024, modified Feb 2026) Checked
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (theobromine and caffeine content of chocolate and cocoa) Checked
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: phone line and consultation fee Checked
- Pet Poison Helpline: phone line and per-incident fee Checked
Questions owners ask
How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?
It depends on the type of chocolate and your dog’s weight. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists mild signs from about 20 mg of theobromine and caffeine per kg of body weight, heart effects from about 40–50 mg/kg and seizures from about 60 mg/kg. Darker chocolate has much more of these per ounce, so a small amount of baker’s chocolate or cocoa powder can be more dangerous than a larger amount of milk chocolate. Merck notes that about 1 oz of milk chocolate per lb of body weight is potentially lethal.
Is white chocolate dangerous for dogs?
White chocolate has very little theobromine and caffeine (about 0.04 mg per gram at most in the USDA data we use), so poisoning from those is unlikely. It still isn’t a dog treat, and if your dog seems unwell after eating any food, call your vet.
How long after eating chocolate will a dog get sick?
According to Merck, signs usually start 6 to 12 hours after eating and can last for days, because theobromine stays in a dog’s body a long time. Don’t wait for signs: call your vet or a poison line as soon as you know your dog ate chocolate.
Should I make my dog throw up?
Not at home, unless a vet tells you to. Making a dog vomit is something a vet does, and it can work if it’s done soon after the chocolate was eaten. Call your vet or a poison line and they will tell you what to do.
How much does pet poison control cost?
Pet Poison Helpline charges $99 per incident. ASPCA Animal Poison Control says a consultation fee may apply; check the current fee when you call. We checked both on Nov 7, 2026 and aren’t affiliated with either.