My dog ate chocolate: what should I do?

Call the vet now, even if all seems fine.

The answer in 2 lines. Call your vet, or an out-of-hours vet, straight away, even if your dog seems fine: chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, and signs can appear hours later. The risk depends on the type of chocolate, how much was eaten and your dog's weight. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous. Keep the wrapper, and don't try to make your dog sick yourself.

The first 4 steps

Remove any remaining chocolate and keep the wrapper.
Estimate the type (dark, milk, white, cocoa powder), how much was eaten and when.
Call your vet, or the out-of-hours vet, with your dog's weight. They will tell you whether to come in.
Don't give anything and don't make your dog sick yourself, unless a vet tells you exactly how.

Stop: danger

Shaking, fits, a racing heart or collapse: this is an emergency. Call a vet immediately and go.
Never make your dog sick with salt water, vinegar or oil: it is dangerous for them.

Why chocolate is dangerous

Cocoa contains theobromine (and a little caffeine), which dogs get rid of very slowly.
The more cocoa, the more toxic: cocoa powder and dark chocolate are the most dangerous, milk chocolate less so, and white chocolate has very little theobromine but is still fatty and sugary.
A small dog can be in danger from an amount that would not affect a big dog. Your vet works out the risk from the weight: don't guess.

Signs to watch for

Vomiting, diarrhoea, drinking a lot, weeing often.
Restlessness, panting, a fast heartbeat.
Trembling, wobbly walking, fits in serious cases.
They often appear within hours and can last a long time: that is why you call before they start.

What not to do

Waiting for signs to appear: they can come several hours later.
Thinking a square of dark chocolate is harmless for a small dog.

What the vet can do

If it was eaten recently, the vet can make your dog sick safely with a medicine.
They may give activated charcoal, put your dog on a drip and monitor them.
The sooner they act, the simpler the treatment.

Good to know

Your vet's answerphone usually gives the out-of-hours vet's number at night and at weekends. Save it in your phone today.
Pet owners can also call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000, run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, 24 hours a day; a fee applies. It does not replace your vet.
Other foods are dangerous for dogs too: grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, and the sweetener xylitol (in some chewing gum and sweets).

On Christmas evening in London, Harry finds that his small dog has eaten half a bar of dark chocolate left on the coffee table. He keeps the wrapper and calls the out-of-hours vet with the dog's weight and the time. The vet asks him to come straight in and makes the dog sick at the clinic.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Protect your dog

Keep chocolate, cakes and cocoa out of reach, especially at Easter, Christmas and birthdays.
Tell children and visitors: no chocolate for the dog, not even "a little bit".

Useful contacts (UK)

Your usual vet: even when closed, the answerphone usually gives the out-of-hours vet.
Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509000, 24 hours a day: advice for pet owners from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (a fee applies). Save it in your phone today.
PDSA: free or low-cost vet care for eligible owners, and advice on chocolate poisoning.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 18 October 2026, for England. Confidence: high for the steps and the danger of chocolate (PDSA); medium for Animal PoisonLine details: the number 01202 509000 is the one published for the service, but the fee may change, so check on the VPIS website before you call. No "safe dose" is given on purpose: only a vet can judge for your dog. We found no recent official UK figure on chocolate poisoning in dogs. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.