Pet first aid · Richmond, BC
My Dog Ate Chocolate: What To Do Right Now
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs cannot process the way people do. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous; milk chocolate is less potent but still risky in quantity. Signs usually appear within 6 to 12 hours and can last for days.
What to do right now
- Take the chocolate away and check the wrapper for the type and total weight.
- Note your dog's weight and roughly how much was eaten and when.
- Call your veterinarian or an animal poison line right away — do not wait for symptoms.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional tells you to.
- Keep your dog calm, cool and somewhere you can watch them closely.
- Bring the packaging with you if you head to a clinic.
Call a vet immediately if you see:
- Restlessness, pacing or hyperactivity
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Muscle tremors or twitching
- Seizures or collapse
- Any amount of dark or baking chocolate eaten by a small dog
When in doubt, phone your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital before you travel — they can prepare for your arrival.