1. What is Chocolate Toxicity?

Chocolate toxicity occurs when animals (especially dogs) ingest chocolate containing theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is the primary toxic component, and its effects depend on the amount consumed relative to the animal's body weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the chocolate toxicity equation:

Where:

• \( Chocolate\ Grams \) — Amount of chocolate consumed in grams
• \( Theobromine\ mg/g \) — Theobromine content in milligrams per gram of chocolate
• \( Weight\ kg \) — Animal's weight in kilograms

Explanation: The equation calculates the dose of theobromine per kilogram of body weight, which determines the toxicity risk.

3. Toxicity Risk Levels

Mild toxicity: 20 mg/kg - May cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness
Moderate toxicity: 40 mg/kg - May cause hyperactivity, tremors, tachycardia
Severe toxicity: 60 mg/kg - May cause seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, death
Note: These are general guidelines - individual sensitivity varies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the amount of chocolate consumed in grams, theobromine content (default is 5.5 mg/g for dark chocolate), and the animal's weight in kilograms. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical theobromine levels in different chocolates?
A: Milk chocolate ~2.4 mg/g, Dark chocolate ~5.5 mg/g, Baking chocolate ~14 mg/g, White chocolate ~0.1 mg/g.

Q2: How quickly do symptoms appear?
A: Symptoms typically appear within 6-12 hours after ingestion but can take up to 24 hours.

Q3: What should I do if my pet ate chocolate?
A: Contact your veterinarian or pet poison hotline immediately with the calculated toxicity level.

Q4: Are some animals more sensitive?
A: Yes, dogs are most commonly affected, but cats, birds, and other small animals can also be at risk.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides a good estimate based on known theobromine content, but individual factors may affect actual toxicity.