Food safety
Can Cats Eat Chocolate?
Toxic — call your vet now — Chocolate for cats.
Why this verdict
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both toxic to cats. Cats cannot metabolise theobromine efficiently, so it builds up and affects the heart, nervous system and kidneys. Dark and baking chocolate carry far more theobromine than milk chocolate, and even a small amount can poison a small cat.
Theobromine by chocolate type
Theobromine is the main toxin in chocolate. The figures below are approximate milligrams of theobromine per ounce, from the Merck Veterinary Manual — they show why baking chocolate is far more dangerous than milk chocolate, and why any amount eaten warrants a vet call.
| Chocolate type | Theobromine, approx. mg per oz |
|---|---|
| White chocolate | 0.25 |
| Milk chocolate | 64 |
| Dark / semisweet chocolate | 130–160 |
| Baking chocolate | ~390 |
| Cocoa powder | ~800 |
Signs of poisoning can start at around 20 mg per kg of body weight (vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness); heart effects appear around 40–50 mg/kg, and seizures above 60 mg/kg. A 4 kg cat reaches the mild-effects range from roughly 30–40 g of milk chocolate — about a third of a small bar. Do not work this out at home: call your vet with the type and amount.
If your cat ate chocolate
Call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately — do not wait for symptoms. Note the type of chocolate, how much was eaten, and your cat's weight. Vomiting, restlessness, a racing heart, tremors or seizures need emergency care.
Related foods
Chocolate Milk, Brownies, Cake, Candy, Carob (Chocolate Substitute)
Check another food
Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.
Before you use the result
Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.