Chocolate is bad for dogs and too much can be toxic or even deadly, but how much is too much, what are the sign and symptoms of chocolate poisoning and would you know what to do if your dog ate it?

Is chocolate really dangerous for dogs?

Yes, chocolate can make your dog ill. The amount of chocolate that is dangerous for your dog depends on the type of chocolate, how much they ate and the size of your dog.
Some dogs find the smell and taste of chocolate irresistible (do you blame them?), so it’s up to us to keep it out of paws reach at all times.

What is in chocolate that makes it poisonous to dogs?

Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that is similar to caffeine. Dogs are very sensitive to theobromine and it can be poisonous in large enough amounts. Theobromine can make dogs unwell in a number of different ways, but its main effect is to cause an overstimulation of their muscles, including their heart.

How much chocolate is dangerous?

It depends on two main factors:

1. How big your dog is (bigger dogs can tolerate more chocolate than smaller dogs)
2. How much theobromine is in the chocolate

Darker and more expensive chocolates usually have more theobromine and are more likely to be harmful. If enough chocolate is eaten then the effects can be severe or even fatal.

What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning?

Dogs with chocolate poisoning may initially be sick, have stomach pain or an upset tummy.

Your dog to become excitable or develop muscle twitching, tremors, fitting or they may have a high heart rate because Theobromine is a stimulant, so it can cause 

Other signs to look for  include drinking a lot, drooling, not walking in a straight line and an increased breathing rate.

Dogs usually start to show signs around four hours after they’ve eaten chocolate, but it can take up to 24 hours.

Are there any long-term effects?

Long-term effects are unlikely to occur and most dogs make a full recovery, however in extremely rare instances, dogs may develop long-term secondary effects from serious complications, such as brain damage caused by prolonged seizures.

What should I do If my dog ate chocolate?

Call your vet straight away so that they can work out if your dog has eaten enough chocolate to be toxic. Find any packaging (if he hasn’t eaten that aswell) that might give the vet some information on the type of chocolate that’s been eaten (dark, plain, milk, white etc.) and how much he has eaten.

Get your dog to the vet as soon as possible if he has eaten a large amount of chocolate

Do not try to make your dog sick yourself as this can sometimes make the situation worse.

Sugar-free chocolate – extra danger

Some sugar-free chocolates contain xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is very poisonous to dogs. Xylitol can cause your dog’s blood sugar level to drop to dangerous levels and cause liver failure.