My dog ate chocolate —
what to do immediately

Why chocolate is toxic to dogs

Chocolate contains two compounds that are toxic to dogs: theobromine and caffeine. Dogs metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans — what passes through a person's system in a few hours can take up to 18 hours to clear a dog's body, allowing it to accumulate to toxic levels.

The key variable is the type of chocolate. Not all chocolate is equally dangerous:

What information to have ready when you call

When you call us, we will ask you a few quick questions to assess urgency. Have the following ready:

• Type of chocolate: Milk, dark, baking, semisweet, cocoa powder, or white
• Amount: Approximate weight in ounces, or how much of the package is gone
• Your dog's weight
• When it happened: How many minutes or hours ago
• Any symptoms already present

Why timing matters so much

Chocolate is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract over time. If treatment begins within 1 to 2 hours of ingestion — before significant absorption has occurred — inducing vomiting can remove much of the chocolate from the stomach, dramatically reducing the amount that enters the bloodstream. Once symptoms develop, that window has passed and treatment focuses on managing the effects rather than preventing them. That is a more difficult, longer, and more expensive treatment course.

This is why we say: call immediately, even if your dog seems completely fine.

What to expect during treatment

For recent ingestions, the vet will typically induce vomiting (using a safe medication — not hydrogen peroxide, which can cause its own problems) and may administer activated charcoal to slow further absorption. IV fluids help support the kidneys. If symptoms are already present — tremors, rapid heart rate, seizures — additional medications are used to manage them. Most dogs recover fully with prompt treatment.