Can Dogs Eat Dark Chocolate? No — High Theobromine, Extremely Dangerous
This food is NOT safe for dogs. Keep it away from your pet.
Dark chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. It contains much higher concentrations of theobromine than milk chocolate making it far more dangerous.
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Warning Signs & Symptoms
Vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, tremors, elevated heart rate, seizures, death.
If Your Dog Ate This
Call vet or ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 immediately. Dark chocolate is the second most dangerous form after baking chocolate.
What to Avoid
all forms — all dark chocolate
Preparation & Serving
Keep all dark chocolate completely secured. Higher cocoa percentage means higher theobromine content and greater danger.
Safer Alternatives
- Carob-based dog treats as a safe chocolate-flavored alternative
Did you know?
The higher the percentage of cocoa in dark chocolate the more theobromine it contains — 70% dark chocolate has approximately 3 times more theobromine than milk chocolate.
Portions & nutrition
- Toxic dose (per kg body weight)
- 20mg theobromine per kg — 70% dark chocolate has 200mg per 30g
- Calories (per 100g)
- 598
- Safe frequency
- Never
Source
What You Need to Know
Dark chocolate contains 3x more theobromine than milk chocolate. Even a small square can cause serious symptoms. The darker the chocolate the more dangerous it is.
Not sure what to do next? Read our emergency guide What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
Want to know what other dangers are hiding in your home?
Take the 60-second kitchen safety quiz to find out your dog's risk score.
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