Dog Ate Chocolate? What to Do in Australia (Dogs & Cats)
Emergency
If your pet has eaten this, contact your local vet now. After hours, call the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
What it means for dogs and cats
🐶 Dogs
Dangerous — do not feed
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, known as methylxanthines, which can affect a dog’s heart and nervous system. Keep chocolate, cocoa and chocolate desserts away; contact your vet immediately after suspected ingestion because risk varies by product and individual dog.
🐱 Cats
Dangerous — do not feed
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthines), which can affect a cat’s heart and nervous system. Keep chocolate and cocoa away and contact your vet promptly after suspected ingestion; cats can also be affected.
Where Australian pets run into it
Easter egg hunts, baking and Christmas treats can leave chocolate within a pet’s reach. Store eggs and cocoa products securely and check the area before letting pets in.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Panting
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Tremors
- Seizures
What to do
Contact your local vet immediately with the product packaging and approximate time of exposure. Call the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 for Australian triage advice.
What to say when you call
My (dog/cat) weighs about __ kg. About __ hours ago they ate __ (how much). Symptoms so far: __.
Common questions
My dog ate chocolate — what should I do?
Contact your local vet immediately and describe the chocolate type and when it was eaten; theobromine and caffeine can cause poisoning.
Can cats eat a little chocolate?
No. Contact a vet promptly even if your cat appears normal.
Sources
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Common Dog Poisons: Risks, Symptoms & Emergency Care Tips — Animal Poisons Helpline
- What are common household dangers for pets? — RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase
Content checked against these sources on 2026-10-10.
General information only, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your pet, contact your local vet.