Short answer: chocolate poisoning symptoms usually show up within 6–12 hours of eating it, and the higher the cocoa content (dark chocolate, baking chocolate), the more dangerous even a small amount can be. The most important thing is to immediately identify exactly what kind and how much your dog ate.
Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs?
A compound called theobromine can seriously affect a dog's heart and nervous system, and unlike humans, dogs are much less efficient at breaking it down.
When do symptoms start showing up?
Typically within 6–12 hours of eating it, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, excessive excitement, and an elevated heart rate begin to appear — and in severe cases, it can progress to seizures.
What are the 2 things to check about cocoa content right away?
① The type of chocolate (risk increases in this order: white chocolate < milk chocolate < dark chocolate < baking chocolate) ② The amount eaten relative to your dog's body weight. Gather this information as precisely as you can before contacting your vet.
Do I need to see a vet even for a small amount?
A tiny amount of white chocolate may be relatively low-risk, but if it's dark or baking chocolate, it's safest to call your vet even for a small amount.
What should I bring to the vet visit?
The chocolate wrapper (to check cocoa content), along with a record of roughly how much was eaten and when, will be a huge help for diagnosis and treatment.
