How much chocolate is actually dangerous for your dog
Chocolate is probably the most well-known enemy of dogs. But if your dog accidentally ate a piece that fell on the floor, you don't need to panic immediately. Toxicity depends on three things: the type of chocolate, your dog's weight, and how much they ate.
The culprit is a compound called theobromine. Humans metabolize it quickly. Dogs don't. It lingers in their system and causes everything from mild stomach upset to heart arrhythmias or seizures.
The golden rule here is simple: the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.
Baking chocolate and cocoa powder deserve extreme caution. They pack a massive theobromine concentration. Even a few grams can send a small dog to the ER. Dark chocolate is also highly dangerous.
On the flip side, milk chocolate is mostly sugar with a little cocoa. If a 30-kilo Labrador eats a small piece of milk chocolate, odds are nothing happens at all, or maybe some mild diarrhea at worst. White chocolate, meanwhile, has practically zero theobromine. In that case, your dog isn't at risk of poisoning, but all that sugar and fat will mess with their stomach.
If you know they ate dark chocolate or cocoa powder, call the vet immediately. Don't wait to see if symptoms appear. Same goes if we're talking about a small dog that ate any amount of any kind.
If you have a big dog that ate a little milk chocolate, just keep an eye on them. Symptoms like vomiting, restlessness, or heavy panting mean it's time to head to the clinic. No need to panic, but common sense is absolutely required.