My dog ate chocolate: what to do

Call now, even if your dog seems fine.

The answer in 2 lines. Call your veterinarian, an emergency vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away, even if your dog seems fine. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs, and signs can appear hours later. The risk depends on the type of chocolate, how much, and your dog's weight. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

The first 4 steps

Take away what's left and keep the wrapper.
Estimate the type of chocolate (dark, baking, milk, white, cocoa powder), how much was eaten, and when.
Call your vet, an emergency vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435, 24/7. Have your dog's weight ready.
Don't give anything and don't try to make your dog vomit unless the vet tells you exactly how.

Stop: danger

Tremors, seizures, a racing heart or collapse: this is an emergency. Call an emergency vet and go now.
Never use salt, vinegar, oil or mustard to make a dog vomit: it's dangerous. Hydrogen peroxide only on a vet's specific instructions.

Why chocolate is dangerous for dogs

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Dogs process them much more slowly than people.
The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic: baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the worst, then dark, then milk chocolate. White chocolate has very little, but the fat can still upset the stomach.
A small dog is at risk with a much smaller amount than a large dog.
Candy wrappers, raisins in chocolate, macadamia nuts or the sweetener xylitol can add other dangers: mention them on the phone.

Signs to watch for (hours later)

Vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst, restlessness, panting.
Fast heartbeat, muscle tremors, seizures in severe cases.
Signs can show up 6 to 12 hours after eating and last a day or more: keep watching even if your dog seems fine.

What not to do

Waiting for symptoms before calling.
Guessing the dose from the internet: let the vet or poison center calculate it with your dog's weight and the exact product.

Good to know

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is staffed by veterinary toxicology experts and is open every day of the year; it may charge a consultation fee.
Holidays like Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter are peak times for chocolate poisoning: keep candy out of reach.

In Dallas, Sarah comes home to find her 20-pound beagle has eaten half a bar of dark chocolate. She keeps the wrapper, calls the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, which works out the risk from the dog's weight, and then goes to the emergency vet as advised. The dog is treated and home the next day.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on October 18, 2026, for the United States. Confidence: high for the ASPCA number and toxicity basics (ASPCA, University of Missouri Extension); medium for timing of symptoms, which varies by dog. The fee amount is not stated here because we couldn't verify the current price. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.