How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?

Methylxanthines (theobromine plus caffeine) cause mild signs from about 20 mg/kg, severe signs at 40–50 mg/kg and seizures at around 60 mg/kg. Signs usually appear 2–4 hours after eating: restlessness, vomiting, racing heart, tremors and seizures.

Is xylitol poisonous to dogs?

Yes. Xylitol triggers a rapid insulin release in dogs. Hypoglycaemia has been reported from as little as 0.03 g/kg and liver failure at 0.5 g/kg or more. Signs start within 30–60 minutes but can be delayed up to 12 hours: vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizures and jaundice.

Are grapes toxic to cats and dogs?

Grapes and raisins cause acute kidney injury in dogs by an unknown mechanism. There is no safe dose; harm has been reported from as little as 2.8 mg/kg. Vomiting usually appears within 24 hours, followed by lethargy and reduced or absent urination.

What human foods are poisonous to pets?

Onions, garlic, leek and chives; grapes and raisins; chocolate and caffeine; xylitol; macadamia nuts; alcohol; hops; and raw yeast bread dough all have documented harmful doses. Avocado, salt, fatty foods, marijuana, tobacco, human medicines, fruit pits, corn cobs and bones are also dangerous without an established threshold.

Vet-referenced safety guide

Foods toxic to dogs and cats

Many everyday foods are dangerous to pets. The amounts below are the levels at which harm has been documented; they are not safe amounts. The only safe amount is none. If your pet may have eaten any of these, treat it as an emergency.

Emergency

If your pet may have eaten any of these, contact your nearest veterinary emergency service immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms..

Toxic foods with a documented harmful amount

Food	What makes it toxic	Most at risk	Documented harmful amount	Onset	Signs to watch for
Onions, garlic, leek, chives	Oxidative damage to red blood cells	Cats > dogs	Cats 5 g/kg; dogs 15-30 g/kg	1–several days	Vomiting, weakness, pale gums, jaundice, dark urine
Grapes & raisins	Unknown mechanism; acute kidney injury	Dogs	No safe dose: harm reported as low as 2.8 mg/kg	Vomiting < 24 h	Vomiting, lethargy, reduced or no urination
Chocolate	Methylxanthines (theobromine + caffeine)	Dogs	Mild ~20 mg/kg; severe 40-50 mg/kg; seizures ~60 mg/kg	2–4 h	Restlessness, vomiting, racing heart, tremors, seizures
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)	Same methylxanthine mechanism as chocolate	Dogs	As methylxanthines above	2–4 h	As chocolate
Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters)	Triggers an insulin crash; liver injury at higher doses	Dogs	Hypoglycaemia from 0.03 g/kg; liver failure ≥ 0.5 g/kg	30–60 min (up to 12 h)	Vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizures, jaundice
Macadamia nuts	Unknown	Dogs	Signs from 0.7 g/kg	Within 12 h	Hind-limb weakness, tremors, fever, vomiting
Alcohol / ethanol	CNS depressant	Dogs & cats	None	Within 1 h	Drunkenness, low body temperature, collapse
Hops (home brewing)	Malignant hyperthermia	Dogs	None	Within hours	Dangerous overheating, panting, seizures
Raw yeast bread dough	Ferments to alcohol and gas in the stomach	Dogs & cats	None	Within 1 h	Bloated, painful belly; alcohol signs

Also dangerous (no specific dose established)

Item	Note
Avocado	Only mildly toxic to dogs and cats, but can be deadly to birds, rabbits, horses and ruminants. The pit is a choking and obstruction risk.
Salt	Large amounts cause vomiting, thirst and neurological signs.
Fatty foods	Trimmings and rich leftovers can trigger pancreatitis.
Marijuana	Causes depression, ataxia and vomiting; edibles often also contain chocolate or xylitol.
Tobacco / nicotine	Cigarettes, pouches, vape liquid and patches are all dangerous.
Human medicines	Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is fatal to cats, and human anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen can harm dogs and cats.
Fruit pits	Cherry, peach and plum pits contain cyanogenic compounds and are a choking risk.
Corn cobs & bones	A common cause of gut obstruction and perforation.

Feeding the right amount, safely

Treats and table scraps are where most accidental exposures start. Work out a proper daily portion, with the treat allowance carved out of it, not added on top.

Dog calorie calculator →Cat calorie calculator →

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Frequently asked questions

How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?: Methylxanthines (theobromine plus caffeine) cause mild signs from about 20 mg/kg, severe signs at 40–50 mg/kg and seizures at around 60 mg/kg. Signs usually appear 2–4 hours after eating: restlessness, vomiting, racing heart, tremors and seizures.
Is xylitol poisonous to dogs?: Yes. Xylitol triggers a rapid insulin release in dogs. Hypoglycaemia has been reported from as little as 0.03 g/kg and liver failure at 0.5 g/kg or more. Signs start within 30–60 minutes but can be delayed up to 12 hours: vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizures and jaundice.
Are grapes toxic to cats and dogs?: Grapes and raisins cause acute kidney injury in dogs by an unknown mechanism. There is no safe dose; harm has been reported from as little as 2.8 mg/kg. Vomiting usually appears within 24 hours, followed by lethargy and reduced or absent urination.
What human foods are poisonous to pets?: Onions, garlic, leek and chives; grapes and raisins; chocolate and caffeine; xylitol; macadamia nuts; alcohol; hops; and raw yeast bread dough all have documented harmful doses. Avocado, salt, fatty foods, marijuana, tobacco, human medicines, fruit pits, corn cobs and bones are also dangerous without an established threshold.

Emergency

If your pet may have eaten any of these, contact your nearest veterinary emergency service immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms..