Chocolate
Can dogs and cats eat dark chocolate?
Short answer on dark chocolate: a veterinary emergency for both dogs and cats. See what to watch for and the veterinary sources behind each answer.
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
Call ASPCA: (888) 426-4435One food, two pets
What changes between dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats both have a emergency verdict.
The label matches, but the two answers are not interchangeable. Check the bottom line for your pet below.
- Bottom line differs
Dark Chocolate safety for dogs
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
Dark Chocolate safety for cats
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
Questions owners ask about dark chocolate
Can dogs eat dark chocolate?
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.
What should I do if my dog ate dark chocolate?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with dark chocolate and dogs?
vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, collapse. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
Can cats eat dark chocolate?
Because cats are more sensitive to methylxanthines pound for pound than dogs, dark chocolate ingestion in a cat calls for immediate veterinary care.
What should I do if my cat ate dark chocolate?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with dark chocolate and cats?
vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, collapse. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.
More chocolate
Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.