Cocoa and chocolate
Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine and caffeine. Dogs and cats cannot clear them quickly, so chocolate can cause heart and nerve problems. Dark chocolate and baking cocoa are the most dangerous.
What it is
Cocoa appears in chocolate, cakes, biscuits, ice cream, spreads and drinks. The label shows cocoa, cocoa mass, cocoa powder or chocolate.
How IngrediScan rates it
These levels come from the fixed rules in the IngrediScan app. A low level means the rules found little or no concern for that profile. It does not mean the ingredient is safe for everyone.
| Profile | Food |
|---|---|
| Adult | No concern found |
| Child | No concern found |
| Infant | No concern found |
| Dog | High |
| Cat | High |
Caffeine and theobromine can cause an irregular heartbeat and stimulation of the nervous system in dogs and cats, so the app flags cocoa for both. Dogs are affected most often because they eat what they find. For people the effect depends on the dose, so the app does not rate cocoa for presence alone. In dogs, mild signs start at 20 mg of methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) per kg body weight, heart effects at 40 to 50 mg per kg and seizures from 60 mg per kg.
Basis of the ratings: published studies.
Possible concerns: Heart toxicity, Intoxicating.
The app's rationale (exact text)
- Child (food), Infant (food): Methylxanthines (caffeine; theobromine/caffeine in chocolate): no human table row on presence alone (dose-dependent).
- Dog (food): Methylxanthines (caffeine; theobromine/caffeine in chocolate): cardiac arrhythmias + CNS stimulation; most common in dogs (indiscriminate eating).
- Cat (food): Methylxanthines (caffeine; theobromine/caffeine in chocolate): cardiac arrhythmias + CNS stimulation (from ~40 mg/kg); most common in dogs (indiscriminate eating).
Rules and use
Cocoa is an ordinary food for people. No special label rule applies. The risk is for pets.
Read the guide: Human foods that are risky for dogs and cats
Sources
- EFSA: caffeine (topic page)
- Household food items toxic to dogs and cats (Front Vet Sci, 2016)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: chocolate toxicosis in animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: food hazards for pets
Related ingredients
The assessment is for information only. It does not replace the manufacturer's label or advice from a doctor or vet. Text recognition (OCR) can miss part of a label. No result does not mean the product is safe.