Most of us know that chocolate isn’t good for our pets. But what happens when dogs eat chocolate? How much chocolate is poisonous to dogs? Can chocolate kill dogs? We spoke to our resident vet to find out more.

Why can't dogs eat chocolate?

Chocolate is one of the human foods dogs can’t eat. The toxic ingredient in chocolate is a bitter-tasting stimulant called theobromine. It’s naturally found in cacao beans from which chocolate is derived. Dogs process theobromine much slower than us humans do and are therefore at higher risk of chocolate poisoning. Try to prevent your dog from getting hold of chocolate wherever possible, especially around Easter, Bonfire Night, and Christmas.

Signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Hyperactivity
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Racing heart rate
• Death, in severe cases

My dog has eaten chocolate – what do I do?

If your dog has eaten chocolate, or if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, it's vital to give your vet a call. They'll likely ask you questions such as how much chocolate your dog has eaten, when your dog ate the chocolate, and what type of chocolate is was (e.g. dark chocolate is more toxic than white chocolate). Wrappers and packaging can be very useful here! This will help them to work out whether or not your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate and what treatment they’re likely to need. It will also help if you can provide an estimate of your dog's weight.

It takes nearly four days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog’s system. If the chocolate was only just eaten, it is possible that your vet might be able to make your dog vomit, otherwise a stay at the vets and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of their system.

Our articles are not a replacement for face-to-face vet advice. It’s important to consult with your vet on a regular basis to raise any pet concerns that you may have.