Chocolate and Dogs – What to Do If They Eat Chocolate

If you’re here because your dog has just eaten chocolate, take a breath.

This happens all the time. Dogs are quick, quiet, and led by smell. Chocolate gets left out during busy moments. Guests arrive with gifts. Kids drop sweets. Someone puts a bar “up high” and forgets the dog can jump.

I work with dogs every week who would happily steal food from a pocket, a pram, or the kitchen counter. Some are young and impulsive, while others are anxious and comfort eat. Then you get the ones that are calm until they spot something interesting, and then they move like lightning.

This guide is here to help you act quickly, without guessing.

You’ll learn:

• Why chocolate is risky for dogs
• Which types matter most
• What symptoms to watch for
• What to do now, including if you’ve only found wrappers
• How to reduce the chances of it happening again

If you are unsure at any point, ring your vet. If it’s out of hours, call an emergency vet. Early advice is the safest choice with chocolate and dogs.

I’ll say this clearly, too.

I’m not here to judge you. If your dog got hold of chocolate, it does not mean you’re careless. It means you live with a dog.

Why this matters for chocolate and dogs

Chocolate and dogs are a risky mix because dogs do not process parts of chocolate the way humans do.

Some dogs will only get an upset stomach. Others can become seriously unwell. The risk depends on:

• Your dog’s weight
• The type of chocolate
• How much was eaten
• When it happened
• How quickly you get professional advice

That’s why it’s hard to give one rule that fits everyone.

A big dog might cope with more than a small dog, but that does not make it safe. The right response is still to phone your vet and explain what happened.

Chocolate poisoning in dogs: why chocolate is toxic to dogs

Chocolate contains substances called methylxanthines. The one most people hear about is theobromine.

Dogs break theobromine down slowly. It can build up in the body and affect:

• The gut
• The nervous system
• The heart

That’s the main reason chocolate poisoning in dogs can be dangerous.

Chocolate products are also high in fat and sugar. Even when the theobromine amount is lower, rich foods can still trigger vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, fatty treats can contribute to pancreatitis. That’s another reason it’s worth getting advice early rather than waiting.

Dark chocolate vs milk chocolate dogs: what changes the risk

Not all chocolate contains the same amount of theobromine. This is where dark chocolate vs milk chocolate dogs becomes important.

In plain terms:

• Cocoa powder and baking chocolate are high-risk
• Dark chocolate is high-risk
• Milk chocolate is lower risk, but still not safe
• White chocolate has very little theobromine, but it’s still rich and can upset the gut

This is why “it was only a bit” is not a useful measure on its own.

Other ingredients can also change the situation. Tell your vet if the product contained:

• raisins or sultanas
• coffee
• alcohol
• xylitol (a sweetener found in some sugar-free products)

Those add extra risk.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs and when they show up

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs can appear within hours. Timing varies, and some dogs look fine for a while before signs begin.

Watch for:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Rstlessness
• Panting
• Drinking more than usual
• Weeing more than usual
• A fast heartbeat
• Shaking or tremors

More serious signs include:

• Wobbliness
• Collapse
• Seizures

If your dog is showing worrying symptoms, treat it as urgent.

Immediate actions to take if your dog ate chocolate

If your dog has eaten chocolate, use this list straight away.

1. Stop access to any more chocolate
   Pick up what’s left. Close doors. Ask family members to put sweets away.
2. Work out what your dog ate
   Find the wrapper if you can. Look for:

• The brand
• Cocoa percentage
• Weight of the bar or bag
• What looks missing

Take a photo of the packaging. It helps.

3. Note the time
   Even a rough idea is useful. “Within the last 20 minutes” helps your vet decide next steps.
4. Ring your vet
   Tell them:

• your dog’s weight
• the type of chocolate
• the amount eaten (or what you think is missing)
• when it happened
• any symptoms

5. Don’t try home fixes
   Don’t give salt. Don’t try to make your dog vomit yourself. Don’t give random foods to “soak it up”. Follow veterinary advice.

Dog ate a chocolate wrapper. What to do

Wrappers can be a problem even when the amount of chocolate is small.

Foil and plastic can cause choking or a gut blockage. This matters if your dog ate chocolate wrapper material, even in pieces.

What to do:

• Ring your vet and mention the wrapper
• Keep any remaining packaging
• Watch for repeated vomiting, gagging, drooling, tummy pain, loss of appetite, or struggling to poo
• treat distress or repeated retching as urgent

If you only found a torn wrapper and don’t know how much was eaten, assume some was swallowed and get advice.

The dog ate chocolate biscuits/brownies / hot chocolate powder

These are common “gotchas” because people underestimate them.

Biscuits and brownies can contain more cocoa than you’d expect. Hot chocolate powder can be high in cocoa. Baking ingredients are often higher risk than snack chocolate.

If your dog ate chocolate biscuits/brownies / hot chocolate powder:

• Keep the packet or recipe details
• Tell your vet it was baked goods or powder
• Mention extras like raisins, coffee, or alcohol flavourings

Even if the chocolate risk turns out to be lower, rich baked foods can still upset the gut.

Poison advice lines and numbers

If you cannot reach your vet quickly, or you need urgent guidance while you arrange care, these can help.

Animal PoisonLine (run by VPIS): 01202 509000 (fees apply) (PDSA)

Vets Now also offers online chat support and a contact number: 01383 223 902.

These lines are not a replacement for your own vet. They’re useful if you need help deciding how urgent it is, or what details to gather next.

What your vet may do and why

It helps to know what to expect.

Your vet will assess risk based on what was eaten, your dog’s weight, the time since eating it, and symptoms.

They may:

• Advise you to monitor at home if the amount is small and your dog is well
• ask you to come in for treatment to reduce absorption, depending on timing
• Give medication to manage nausea, tremors, or heart rate
• Give fluids if needed
• Keep your dog in for observation if the risk is higher

If you get advice early, your vet has more options.

If your dog is very small, older, has heart problems, or is already unwell, tell your vet. That context matters.

Prevention you can actually stick to

Most chocolate accidents occur in everyday life.

Common moments:

• visitors arriving with gifts
• kids unwrapping treats
• movie nights on the sofa
• parties
• Christmas stockings and Advent calendars
• Easter egg hunts

Simple changes can cut risk quickly.

At home

• Store chocolate in a closed cupboard that your dog cannot reach
• Use a lidded bin
• Clear wrappers straight into the outdoor bin
• Keep bags and coats off the floor when guests arrive
• Keep chocolate out of bedrooms if your dog can access them

If you have children, keep the rule simple:

• Sweets stay at the table
• Wrappers go straight in the bin
• No feeding the dog

On walks
Chocolate is less common outside, but dropped food is everywhere. If your dog scavenges, I’d focus on:

• management (watching the ground and choosing calmer routes)
• training skills that help you interrupt the behaviour

If scavenging is a regular issue, solo walks make it easier to practise calmly and safely. It’s hard to train this well when your dog is competing with other dogs for scraps.

When you travel
House sitting can help during busy holiday weeks when routines change, and the house is full of tempting food. Many dogs steal more when they’re overstimulated.

I also offer cat and small-animal care, which can help if you’re juggling pets and plans over Christmas or Easter.

Proactive training and management (reward-based)

Training does not make chocolate safe. It gives you a better chance of stopping your dog before they swallow something.

These are the three games I use most.

Leave it (hand game)

• Put a boring treat in your closed fist
• Let your dog sniff
• wait
• The second they stop trying, say “yes” and reward from the other hand
• Practice little and often

Drop (swap, don’t snatch)

• offer a toy
• Let your dog take it
• show a better treat at their nose
• When they let go, say “drop” and reward
• Give the toy back, so dropping does not end the fun

Find it (reset tool)

• scatter a few treats on the floor at home
• say “find it”
• Use it on walks to redirect attention when your dog is scanning the ground

If your dog guards stolen items, or you feel unsafe taking things from them, get support. Grabbing can lead to bites. I can help you set up safer routines and build a reliable swap.

Video tutorial suggestions (topics to search for on YouTube)

• Teach leave it with rewards
• Teach drop it using swaps
• prevent scavenging on walks
• condition a basket muzzle using rewards
• Handling resource guarding safely
• recall games for dogs in distracting places

FAQs

Is chocolate toxic to dogs?

Yes. Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs process slowly. Risk depends on your dog’s weight, the type of chocolate, and the amount eaten. If your dog has eaten any chocolate, call your vet.

What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs?

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs can include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, panting, increased thirst, shaking, and a fast heartbeat. Severe cases can involve collapse or seizures. If you see worrying signs, contact a vet urgently.

How long after eating chocolate will my dog get sick?

It varies. Some dogs show signs within hours. Some later. Don’t wait for symptoms. Call your vet as soon as you realise chocolate has been eaten.

My dog ate chocolate but seems fine. Should I still call?

Yes. Your dog can look normal while theobromine is still being absorbed. Your vet can assess risk from the details you provide and tell you what to do next.

My dog ate a wrapper. What should I do?

Call your vet and explain that a wrapper may have been swallowed. Wrappers can cause choking or a blockage. Watch for repeated vomiting, gagging, tummy pain, or struggling to poo.

Conclusion

Chocolate turns up in everyday life. It’s in handbags, coat pockets, gift boxes, party bags, and kitchen cupboards.

If your dog has eaten it, don’t wait for symptoms. When it comes to chocolate and dogs, the safest move is to call your vet early and give them the details.

Once the stress passes, tighten up your routines and training. A few small changes can stop a repeat. If your dog is a committed scavenger, I can help with calm, one-to-one support on solo walks. If you’re away, I also offer house sitting, plus cat and small animal care, so your pets can stay settled at home.

Resources

• RSPCA: advice on poisons and what to do
• RSPCA Knowledgebase: chocolate and pets
• PDSA: chocolate poisoning in dogs
• The Kennel Club: chocolate poisoning in dogs
• Dogs Trust: toxic foods for dogs
• Battersea: toxic foods guidance
• Animal PoisonLine (VPIS): 01202 509000 (fees apply) (PDSA)
• Vets Now: contact and online chat (Vets Now)

• How to Find a Lost Dog: A Comprehensive Guide to Reuniting with Your Pet
• Why Easter Eggs are Not Good for Dogs
• Dog Poisoning
• Easter
• The Dangers of Valentine’s Day

Disclaimer
I’m a dog walker and pet carer, not a vet. This article shares general information only and must not be taken as veterinary diagnosis or treatment advice. In the UK, the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 2015 set out who can diagnose, prescribe, and carry out veterinary treatment. If your dog has eaten chocolate or you are worried about any symptoms, contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away. You can read more about what I can and cannot advise on here: https://www.finchleydogwalker.co.uk/understanding-the-veterinary-surgeons-act-1966-exemptions-order-2015-who-can-give-advice-and-treatment.html

)