Whether or not a dog can eat a chocolate chip cookie is a common question many dog owners have. The short answer is no, dogs should not eat chocolate chip cookies as chocolate can be toxic to dogs. However, there are some exceptions and things to consider before giving your pup a treat.
Can Dogs Have Chocolate?
The main ingredient in chocolate chip cookies that is toxic to dogs is cocoa. Cocoa contains chemicals called methylxanthines, specifically theobromine and caffeine. When eaten, these chemicals are absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream and affect the nervous system and heart.
Dogs are not able to metabolize theobromine and caffeine as efficiently as humans can. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, urination and heart rate in dogs. Large amounts of chocolate can cause seizures, irregular heart rhythm, and even death.
The amount of theobromine and caffeine varies depending on the type and amount of chocolate. In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic it is to dogs. Here’s a breakdown of the theobromine levels in different types of chocolate:
| Type of Chocolate | Theobromine Content |
|---|---|
| White chocolate | Very low (50-250 mg/oz) |
| Milk chocolate | Low (450 mg/oz) |
| Semisweet chocolate | Moderate (560 mg/oz) |
| Dark chocolate | High (150-2400 mg/oz) |
| Baking chocolate | Very high (2400 mg/oz) |
As you can see, dark and baking chocolates have the highest levels of theobromine and are the most dangerous types for dogs. Milk and white chocolate have lower levels, but can still cause problems, especially when large amounts are ingested.
Amount of Chocolate Matters
The amount of chocolate ingested also plays a big role in how sick it can make your dog. The toxicity depends on the type and amount of chocolate relative to the dog’s weight.
As a general guideline from the Pet Poison Helpline:
- For milk chocolate, 1 ounce per pound of body weight can cause symptoms
- For semisweet chocolate, 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight can cause symptoms
- For baker’s chocolate, 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight can cause symptoms
So a 10 pound dog would only need to eat 10 ounces of milk chocolate to potentially get sick, but only 1 ounce of baker’s chocolate could cause a problem. The smaller the dog, the quicker and more severe the effects.
What About Chocolate Chip Cookies Specifically?
Chocolate chip cookies can be dangerous for dogs to eat because they contain baking chocolate or semisweet chocolate. Just a few bites of a chocolate chip cookie could put your dog’s health at risk.
Most chocolate chip cookies contain about 1-2 ounces of chocolate chips per cookie. So a single cookie may have 140-280 mg of theobromine, based on the typical theobromine content in semisweet chocolate chips. This may not seem like much, but could cause vomiting and diarrhea in a small 10 pound dog.
Eating an entire chocolate chip cookie could potentially be lethal for a tiny dog under 10 pounds. For larger dogs, one cookie may just cause some stomach upset. But eating multiple cookies or baking dough could be really dangerous even for bigger dogs.
How Much Cookie Dough is Toxic?
Many dogs get into trouble by eating raw cookie dough. Not only does the dough contain chocolate chips, but the raw flour and eggs can cause additional problems:
- Raw eggs – Contain an enzyme that interferes with biotin absorption, leading to skin/coat issues
- Raw flour – Can be contaminated with E. coli or Salmonella bacteria
- Too much fat – Can cause pancreatitis and inflammation of the pancreas
The ASPCA estimates that for a 10 pound dog:
- 2.5 tablespoons of cookie dough could cause symptoms
- 1⁄4 cup of cookie dough could be lethal
Again, the smaller the dog, the smaller amounts needed to cause a problem. Cookie dough should be considered toxic to all dogs.
What If My Dog Already Ate Chocolate?
If your dog manages to sneak some chocolate when you aren’t looking, take action quickly. The sooner you can get the chocolate out of their system, the better.
For mild cases, you may be able to induce vomiting at home using hydrogen peroxide. Give 1 teaspoon per 5 lbs of body weight, up to 3 teaspoons max. If your dog ate a large amount of chocolate, take them to the vet immediately.
Vets can give injectable medications to induce vomiting or provide activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins in the GI tract. Supportive IV fluids and medications may be given to control heart rate, blood pressure, and rhythms.
Can Dogs Have Chocolate Substitutes?
Some chocolate substitutes are safer options for dogs. Carob contains less theobromine than chocolate, so it is less toxic. Make sure to give carob sparingly, as large amounts may still cause an upset stomach.
White chocolate is also lower in theobromine, but it is high in fat and sugar can cause other issues like pancreatitis. Limit to small amounts only on rare occasions.
Are There Any Safe Chocolates for Dogs?
There are some safer commercial products made just for dogs that contain chocolate flavor without the toxic theobromine. Some examples include:
- Milk Bones – Contain less than 2% cocoa powder
- Hershey’s Chocolate Flavored Syrup – Chocolate flavor without cocoa powder
- Frosty Paws – Ice cream designed for dogs
You can also find dog treats baked with carob chips instead of chocolate chips. Just be sure to check labels carefully and look for products made specifically for canine consumption.
| Dog Safe Chocolate Treat | Details |
|---|---|
| Milk Bones | Less than 2% cocoa powder |
| Hershey’s Syrup | Chocolate flavoring without cocoa |
| Frosty Paws | Dog ice cream with chocolate flavor |
| Charlee Bear Dog Treats | Bake with carob chips |
Conclusion
In most cases, it is not recommended to feed chocolate chip cookies to dogs due to the chocolate being toxic to canines. Even a small amount of chocolate can make a little dog very sick. To stay on the safe side, keep chocolate away from your pup.
In rare instances, a large dog may be able to tolerate a bite or two of a chocolate chip cookie without issues. But proceed with extreme caution, as ingesting chocolate chips, cookie dough or entire cookies can be very dangerous and even fatal in dogs. If you think your dog ate chocolate, seek veterinary advice right away.