UK Dog Emergency Tool

Dog chocolate toxicity calculator

Work out if the chocolate your dog ate is dangerous. Based on current UK veterinary data (VPIS, Merck Veterinary Manual). Takes 30 seconds.

This tool is a guide, not a replacement for a vet

If your dog has eaten chocolate, call your vet regardless of what this calculator says. Individual dogs vary, theobromine levels vary between brands, and only a vet can decide on treatment. Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509000 (24/7, fees apply).

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Enter the details

Your dog's weight

Type of chocolate eaten

Amount eaten

Not sure? A standard Cadbury Dairy Milk bar is 110g. A chocolate finger is 8g. A chocolate digestive is 17g. Half a bag of chocolate buttons is 40g.

How to use this

Three pieces of information matter: how heavy your dog is, what type of chocolate they ate, and roughly how much. The calculator uses veterinary-grade theobromine concentrations and compares the dose to the thresholds published by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) and the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Guide to chocolate types

White chocolate — has almost no theobromine. Danger is fat and sugar, not toxicity.
Milk chocolate (Dairy Milk, Galaxy, Kit Kat, Mars, Twirl, most children's chocolate) — moderate theobromine.
Dark chocolate — theobromine rises sharply with cocoa percentage. Check the packaging.
Baking / cocoa powder — the most dangerous by weight. Small amounts can be severe.
Cocoa mulch — garden mulch made from cocoa husks. Smells attractive to dogs; very high theobromine.

What the risk levels mean

Below 20 mg/kg Usually no clinical signs — monitor at home, but call your vet if worried

20–40 mg/kg Mild signs: vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst. Call your vet.

40–60 mg/kg Cardiotoxic effects: rapid or irregular heart rate. Urgent vet needed.

60–100 mg/kg Seizures likely. Emergency vet immediately.

Over 100 mg/kg Potentially lethal. Emergency hospitalisation required.

A chocolate emergency can cost £500–£5,000+

Pet insurance covers chocolate poisoning treatment. Compare UK providers in 60 seconds.

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Sources

Theobromine concentrations sourced from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), Merck Veterinary Manual, and Veterinary Partner (VIN). Toxicity thresholds based on current veterinary consensus (20 mg/kg mild, 40–50 mg/kg cardiotoxic, 60 mg/kg seizures).

Read our full chocolate and dogs guide →

Important: This calculator uses average theobromine concentrations — actual content varies by brand and batch. Individual dogs have different sensitivities. The calculator is an assessment aid only. If your dog has eaten chocolate, always contact a vet.