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.
The amount and type of chocolate ingested is important, as they are the determining factors for the severity of the toxicity. The three types of chocolate that you must be aware of are:
- Milk Chocolate – Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.7 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested; severe toxicity occurs when two ounces per pound of body weight is ingested (or as little as one pound of milk chocolate for a 20-pound dog).
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate – Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.3 ounce per pound of body weight is ingested; severe toxicity occurs when one ounce per pound of body weight is ingested (or as little as six ounces of semi-sweet chocolate for a 20-pound dog).
- Baking Chocolate – This type of chocolate has the highest concentration of caffeine and theobromine. Therefore, as little as two small one-ounce squares of baking chocolate can be toxic to a 20-pound dog (or 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight).
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.
What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate?
If you know your dog has ingested chocolate , or has any of the symptoms below, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680 or your veterinarian right away.
Common Household Items
| Common Household Items | Serving | Theobromine* | Caffeine* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
* The 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 | 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)
Cribbed from PetMD.com
“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.
