Why timing changes everything for a 7 kg dog
Two hours post-ingestion means theobromine is already circulating—what you see now predicts the next 12 hours. If vomiting hasn't occurred naturally, the toxin load remains high. Small dogs process theobromine slower than larger breeds, so symptoms last longer and hit harder. Dark chocolate's potency means even half an ounce could be dangerous at this weight.
Early vomiting is actually protective—it limits absorption. But if your dog skipped this stage, watch for subtle signs like excessive licking of surfaces or air, which precedes nausea. Pawing at their mouth or swallowing repeatedly are other early warnings. The absence of these now doesn't guarantee safety—some dogs show nothing until severe symptoms appear.
The dangerous shift from digestive to cardiac symptoms
Between hours 3 and 6, the threat transitions from stomach upset to heart and nerve damage. You might notice a sudden burst of energy—pacing, inability to lie down, or barking at nothing. This hyperactivity is theobromine overstimulating their system, often followed by a crash into weakness.
Check their pulse by pressing gently where their left elbow touches the chest. A steady rhythm under 140 bpm is reassuring; erratic or racing beats (over 180 bpm) need emergency care. Dark chocolate's caffeine content compounds these effects, sometimes causing tremors that start in the hind legs before spreading forward.
How symptom order predicts severity
Dogs that progress from vomiting directly to lethargy are at higher risk than those with interim hyperactivity—it suggests their body isn't effectively metabolizing the toxin. Similarly, diarrhea appearing before neurological signs indicates slower absorption, buying more time for treatment.
Seizures often begin with facial muscle spasms—a twitching nose or chattering teeth—before generalizing. Time these episodes if they occur; seizures lasting over 2 minutes or repeating within an hour drastically increase the danger of brain damage or fatal heart rhythms. Pad their space with blankets to prevent injury if convulsions start.
Why you can't wait out dark chocolate poisoning
Unlike milk chocolate, where small amounts may pass uneventfully, dark varieties often require medical intervention to prevent lasting harm. Theobromine's half-life in dogs spans 17+ hours—meaning symptoms persist for days without treatment. IV fluids aren't just supportive care; they're essential to flush the toxin and protect kidneys from concentrated waste.
If it's after hours, don't gamble on 'wait and see'—emergency vets have medications to control heart arrhythmias and seizures that home care can't address. Bring any vomit or stool samples to help estimate absorption. For scale, a 7 kg dog showing muscle tremors after eating a dark chocolate truffle needs urgent help, whereas the same dog with milk chocolate might only need monitoring.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Chocolate food facts page.