How the chocolate toxicity calculator works
Why theobromine is the danger
Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound related to caffeine. Humans metabolize it in hours; dogs metabolize it many times more slowly, so it builds up to toxic levels. Severity depends on one number: milligrams of theobromine per kilogram of body weight.
The thresholds we use
This calculator follows the dose bands widely published in veterinary toxicology references (Merck Veterinary Manual and similar):
- < 20 mg/kg — usually mild: watch for vomiting or diarrhea
- 20–39 mg/kg — mild to moderate signs: GI upset, restlessness, increased thirst
- 40–59 mg/kg — high risk: rapid heart rate, tremors, hyperactivity
- ≥ 60 mg/kg — severe: seizures and heart arrhythmias are possible — emergency
Theobromine content per gram varies by product. We use typical values: milk ≈ 2.1 mg/g, dark/semi-sweet ≈ 5.5 mg/g, unsweetened baking ≈ 15 mg/g, cocoa powder ≈ 20 mg/g, white ≈ 0. Real products range widely — dark chocolate in particular (4.5–16 mg/g) — so we deliberately lean conservative.
What the calculator can't know
Exact cocoa percentage, fillings (coffee, nuts, xylitol sweetener — all dangerous on their own), wrappers consumed, time since ingestion, and your dog's health history all change the picture. Symptoms can take 6–12 hours to appear. That is why every result — even a low one — ends with the same advice: when in doubt, call a professional immediately.