Chocolate
Dark Chocolate: 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.
Dark and baking chocolate pack far more theobromine per bite than milk chocolate, so any ingestion by a dog should be treated as an emergency.
Toxic principle: theobromine (highly concentrated) and caffeine
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
Because cats are more sensitive to methylxanthines pound for pound than dogs, dark chocolate ingestion in a cat calls for immediate veterinary care.
Toxic principle: theobromine (highly concentrated) and caffeine
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.