My Dog Ate Chocolate But Is Acting Fine

The Short Answer is:

You can assume that if your dog ate chocolate but hasn’t acted out of character, that’s because the amount of chocolate they ate does not contain toxic levels of theobromine. It is important to remember that chocolate toxicity is actually theobromine toxicity, and different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “My Dog Ate Chocolate But Is Acting Fine“.

America consumes 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate annually so you can be sure that almost every household has some kind of chocolate or candy.  

If you are a responsible pet parent you already know that you should never give your dog chocolate even a little bit. You will first wonder if you should be concerned if your dog accidentally stumbled upon your chocolate stash and helped themselves to a generous amount. 

However you notice that they are acting fine; there are no signs of toxicity or stomach upset. Arenot they supposed to be sick? In this article we answer these questions. 

Why is chocolate so dangerous?

Why am I unable to give my dog chocolate when he has a sweet tooth? How can dogs consume chocolate without being poisoned? 

Chocolate contains organic compounds called methylxanthines (mostly caffeine and theobromine) that dogs’ digestive systems cannot digest properly.

Theobromine and caffeine are stimulants with diuretic properties. Medically these compounds are used as heart stimulants smooth muscle relaxants and dilation agents. 

The dogs body is not able to efficiently metabolize these substances so its highly sensitive to the effects of these chemicals especially theobromine.

Theobromine metabolizes much slower in dogs than caffeine so it stays in their bodies longer which contributes to the symptoms of chocolate toxicity. 

Is eating a cube of chocolate as dangerous as eating half a bar?

The level of chocolate toxicity depends on the type of chocolate the amount consumed and the size of the dog. Therefore eating a small piece of chocolate may not be as harmful as eating a half bar.

First different types of chocolate are toxic to varying degrees. Darker chocolate is generally more toxic. A dog is more dangerous if it consumes more than the recommended dose. Another factor to consider is the dogs size. A medium or large dog will be fine if it eats a small cube of white or milk chocolate. A small lap dog however may show signs of an upset stomach if they consume the same amount of chocolate.

Large or medium-sized dogs who eat very small amounts of chocolate may not require veterinary treatment they may not even show any signs of chocolate toxicity. However you cannot say the same for small dogs. A small amount of white chocolate rarely poisons dogs but a small amount of dark chocolate can be extremely toxic particularly for small dogs.

Why does the size of the dog matter?

Chocolate poisoning is more likely to affect small dogs because theobromine toxicity is dose-related. Dogs can tolerate very small amounts of theobromine despite not being able to properly metabolize it. It is toxic in doses greater than 20 mg/kg. A 50-pound dog eating 2 ounces of milk chocolate will be fine but a 10-pound dog eating the same amount will experience symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. 

A 95-pound dog eating only 2 ounces of bakers chocolate will experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

The good news is that chocolate toxicity can be treated and symptoms usually appear within 4 to 12 hours after eating chocolate. 

Theobromine causes mild symptoms such as nausea and vomiting but extremely high doses (imagine a 10-pound dog eating 2 ounces of bakers chocolate) can cause life-threatening symptoms such as vomiting muscles tremors abnormal heart rhythms elevated heart rate hyperthermia seizures or even death.

Even though dogs can tolerate small amounts of theobromine its not advisable to give them even the smallest amount of chocolate. Research studies have shown that continuous exposure to theobromine can lead to cardiomyopathy a condition that affects the heart muscles and makes them incapable of pumping blood efficiently. 

Why is dark chocolate more dangerous than milk chocolate?

You can assume that if your dog ate chocolate but hasnot acted out of character thats because the amount of chocolate they ate does not contain toxic levels of theobromine. It is important to remember that chocolate toxicity is actually theobromine toxicity and different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine. 

Darker and more bitter the chocolate the higher the level of theobromine and the more dangerous it is for dogs. Despite its small amount of theobromine per ounce white chocolate does not pose any threat to dogs. It contains only about 0.25 mg/oz of theobromine per ounce. Depending on the amount consumed and the size of the dog involved milk chocolate can be dangerous. It contains 44-60 mg of theobromine per ounce. 

There is 135 mg of theobromine in one ounce of dark semi-sweet chocolate which can cause severe toxicity. Both Bakers chocolate and dry cocoa powder contain high levels of theobromine (more than 400 mg per ounce) which is extremely toxic to dogs and can be fatal.

Is there any way of calculating if I need to take them to the vet?

When you discover that your dog ate some chocolate you should determine what kind and how much they consumed. Based on the type of chocolate and the amount consumed (plus your dogs size) you can calculate an estimated amount of theobromine ingested which will give you an idea of what you can expect. 

It is unlikely that theobromine will cause any lasting harm so you do not have to worry. Then you have to monitor them very closely for any signs of stomach upset or discomfort if they consumed enough to cause a negative effect. 

When your dog has eaten a significant amount of chocolate and is showing signs of toxicity you should take him to the vet as soon as possible. An online chocolate toxicity calculator such as this one can be used to determine how much theobromine your dog ingested and what symptoms to expect. 

White chocolate is the most dog-friendly chocolate

Since white chocolate contains very low levels of theobromine it is considered to be the most dog-friendly chocolate. Since white chocolate has almost no theobromine in it dogs (even small dogs) are unlikely to experience any discomfort from eating it. 

In contrast to other forms of chocolate white chocolate will require very large amounts to cause toxicity in dogs. Nevertheless white chocolate is not suitable for dogs to consume because it contains other ingredients that may pose health risks. 

The ingredients in white chocolate include sugar milk cocoa butter butterfat etc. All of these ingredients are unhealthy for dogs. They may cause stomach upset and symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. In dogs with sensitive stomachs these symptoms can be very serious. Similarly if your dog is prone to pancreatitis the fats in white chocolate may trigger a painful episode.

Why else are sweets dangerous for dogs?

It is best to keep sugar (especially refined sugar) away from your dog if it has a sweet tooth. Although dogs are mans best friend they differ in many ways from us. 

Sugar is necessary for them in the form of carbohydrates but they should not eat granulated sugar or any foods that contain this type of sugar in large quantities. The presence of excessive sugar in a dogs diet increases the risk of tooth decay oral infections obesity diabetes arthritis etc. 

Another form of sweet’ that should be kept away from dogs is xylitol which is a sugar alcohol. There is sugar alcohol called xylitol that occurs naturally in some fruits and vegetables. Many products contain it including toothpaste mouthwash chewing gums sugar-free candy peanut butter fruit drinks etc. 

Xylitol is completely harmless for humans but extremely toxic to dogs even in very small amounts. By consuming xylitol or products containing sugar alcohol dogs can suffer hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia is caused by low doses of xylitol while liver failure is caused by higher doses.  

My dog ate chocolate but is acting fine

As responsible pet parents we know the dangers that chocolate poses to dogs since we’re told how damaging these delicious treats can be. However some dogs do not behave well when they eat chocolate. 

The answer is simple: your dog did not eat enough chocolate to make him toxic. A dogs toxicity to chocolate depends on the amount of theobromine he consumes. Dogs may not be harmed by chocolate bars or drinks containing a negligible amount of theobromine. 

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.