What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Dogs

 

Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger.

 

For instance, 8 ounces (a ½ pound) of milk chocolate may sicken a 50-pound dog, whereas a dog of the same size can be poisoned by as little as 1 ounce of Baker's chocolate!

 

 

Why Isn't Chocolate Toxic to Humans?

 

Humans can break down and excrete methylxanthines such as theobromine much more efficiently than dogs.

 

What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate?

 

If you know your dog has ingested chocolate , or has any of the symptoms¹ below, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680 or your veterinarian right away.

 

Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes for a much more expensive veterinary visit!

 

Common Household Items

 

Common Household Items	Serving	Theobrominea	Caffeinea
Ice Cream Rich Chocolate	1 cup ( 148g)	178mg	5.9mg
Peanut M&M's	1 cup (170g)	184mg	17mg
Ready to Eat Chocolate Pudding	4 oz (108g)	75.6mg	2.2mg
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar	1.55 oz (43g)	64mg	9mg
Hershey's Chocolate Syrup	2 Tbsp (39g)	64mg	5mg
Hershey's KISSES (Milk Chocolate)	9 pieces (41g)	61mg	9mg
Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking Bar	1 Tbsp (15g)	55mg	7mg
Cookies, brownies, commercially prepared	1 Square (2 –3/4” sq x 7/8") (56g)	43.7mg	1.1mg
KIT KAT Wafer Bar	1 bar (42g)	48.7mg	5.9mg
REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups (2pk)	2 cups (45g)	32.4mg	3.2mg
Doughnut, cake-type, chocolate, sugared or glazed	1 Doughnut (3' dia) (43g)	12.6mg	0.6mg
Chocolate Chip Cookies , made with margarine	1 Cookie Med (2 1/4" dia) (16g)	20.3mg	2.6mg
Milky Way	1 bar (58g)	37.1 mg	3.5mg
Generic Hot Fudge Sundae Topping	1 Sundae (158g)	77.4mg	1.6mg
REESE'S PIECES Candy	1 package (46g)	0mg	0mg

 

^aThe amount of caffeine and theobromine will vary naturally due to growing conditions and cocoa bean sources and variety.

Foods Highest in Theobromine

 

Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali [Dutch cocoa]	1 cup (86g)	2266 mg	67.1mg
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares	1 cup, grated (132g)	1712 mg	106mg
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened	1 cup (86g)	1769 mg	198mg
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid	1 oz (28g)	447 mg	13.2mg
Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, regular, dry mix	1 Package (40g)	238 mg	7.2mg
Desserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix	1 Package, 2 oz (57g)	242 mg	7.4mg
Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, instant, dry mix	1 Package, 1.4oz box (40g)	189 mg	5.6mg
Syrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup	2 tbsp (35g)	68.3 mg	2.1mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali	1 oz (28g)	685 mg	20.2mg
Candies, chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids	I bar (101g)	810 mg	80.8mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain	1 Tbsp (5g)	92.6 mg	10.3mg

 

Symptoms of concern include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased body temperature
• Increased reflex responses
• Muscle rigidity
• Rapid breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Seizures
• Advanced signs (cardiac failure, weakness, and coma)

"CAFFEINE & THEOBROMINE." The Hershey Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.
"Nutrition Information." Nutrition Facts, Calories in Food, Labels, Nutritional Information and Analysis – NutritionData.com. Condé Nast, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.