Dog Chocolate Toxicity Calculator
Theobromine dose in mg/kg from chocolate type, amount and dog weight.
About this tool
Choose the type of chocolate, enter how much was eaten and your dog's weight in grams, ounces, kg or lb. The tool estimates the methylxanthine dose (theobromine plus caffeine) in mg per kg and shows which toxicity band it falls in. Whatever the result, it reminds you to call a vet. Nothing is stored.
Why chocolate is toxic to dogs
Chocolate contains theobromine and smaller amounts of caffeine, together called methylxanthines. Dogs break them down far more slowly than people, so they build up and overstimulate the heart and nervous system. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more it contains. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives typical amounts of about 800 mg per ounce in dry cocoa powder, 450 in unsweetened baking chocolate, 255 in cocoa bean mulch, 150 in dark or semisweet chocolate, 64 in milk chocolate and very little in white chocolate. Its thresholds are: mild signs (vomiting, diarrhoea, thirst, restlessness) from about 20 mg/kg, heart effects such as a racing or irregular heartbeat at 40โ50 mg/kg, and seizures from about 60 mg/kg. In the example, 50 g of dark chocolate eaten by a 10 kg dog is about 26 mg/kg, enough for mild signs. Signs can take 6โ12 hours to appear and last days. That's why vets want to hear early, when they can make the dog vomit or give activated charcoal. Honest limits: real products vary widely (a 70โ85% bar can hold much more than average), small and older dogs or those with heart problems can be more sensitive, and chocolate may also contain other toxins such as xylitol, raisins or macadamia nuts. Use this to give your vet useful information, never as a reason not to call. Not veterinary advice. The dog age calculator and the pet calorie calculator are related, and Dog years: the real conversion covers dog ageing.
Frequently asked questions
How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?
Mild signs can start at about 20 mg/kg of theobromine and caffeine. That's roughly 4 g of dark or 9 g of milk chocolate per kg of body weight, but always call a vet.
Which chocolate is most dangerous for dogs?
Cocoa powder and unsweetened baking chocolate, then dark chocolate. Milk chocolate has much less, and white chocolate very little.
My dog ate chocolate โ what should I do?
Call your vet or an animal poison line straight away with the type, amount, time eaten and your dog's weight.
Is my data stored?
No. Nothing is saved or sent. This isn't veterinary advice.