Chocolate
Cocoa Powder: Safe for Dogs and Cats?
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Cocoa powder is one of the most concentrated household sources of theobromine, and a dog getting into it should be treated as an emergency.
Toxic principle: theobromine (highly concentrated)
Watch for
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- hyperactivity
- elevated heart rate
- muscle tremors
- seizures
- collapse
Sources
- ASPCA: What to Do If Your Pet Gets Into Chocolate
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals
Reviewed 2026-07-12
Cocoa powder's concentrated theobromine makes it dangerous even in small amounts for cats, who are more sensitive to it than dogs.
Toxic principle: theobromine (highly concentrated)
Watch for
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- hyperactivity
- elevated heart rate
- muscle tremors
- seizures
- collapse
Sources
- ASPCA: What to Do If Your Pet Gets Into Chocolate
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals
Reviewed 2026-07-12
This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.
Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.