Can dogs die from eating chocolate?

Yes, dogs can die from eating chocolate. Chocolate is processed from cocoa beans and contains various derivatives of methylxanthines, including caffeine and theobromine. These substances act on a dog's central nervous system and heart muscle, causing poisoning. Humans and cats can metabolize theobromine, but dogs lack this ability.

Therefore, we must always be careful not to let dogs ingest chocolate. Below are examples of toxic doses, please read carefully to have a concept of dog poisoning.

【Toxic concentrations of different chocolates and methylxanthines】

Dry cocoa powder (about 28.5 mg/g)
Sugar-free chocolate (16 mg/g)
Semi-sweet chocolate, sweet dark chocolate (about 5.4-5.7 mg/g)
Milk chocolate (about 2.3 mg/g)
Cocoa bean shells (about 9.1 mg/g)

And the following are the toxic doses of methylxanthines:

Mild poisoning occurs at about 20 mg/kg
Moderate to severe poisoning occurs above 40 mg/kg
Cardiac toxicity occurs at about 50mg/kg
Seizures occur above 60mg/kg
Any dose greater than 40-45 mg/kg should be considered potentially life-threatening
Half of the lethal dose (theobromine and caffeine) = 100-200 (mg/kg) but individual differences exist. Even if the dog eats less than half the lethal dose, it may still cause death.

Of course, the calculation of the above doses is very complex. If we find that a dog has eaten chocolate, we must immediately induce vomiting and take it to the hospital for treatment, and not take chances. Chocolate is quickly absorbed, being absorbed within 30-60 minutes. Caffeine is absorbed faster than theobromine, so rapid vomiting is required.