Chocolate by type
Merck Veterinary Manual figures for theobromine plus caffeine, per ounce:
- Cocoa powder: about 807 mg
- Unsweetened baking chocolate: about 440 mg
- Semisweet and dark chocolate: about 150 to 160 mg
- Milk chocolate: about 64 mg
- White chocolate: about 1 mg
Merck links about 20 mg per kg of body weight to mild signs, 40 to 50 mg per kg to heart effects and 60 mg per kg or more to seizures. Signs usually start 6 to 12 hours after eating. A poison line can work out whether the amount your dog ate matters.
Coffee and tea
Caffeine is in the same chemical family. Pet Poison Helpline says grounds, beans and tea bags can cause serious poisoning.
Extracts
Vanilla extract is at least 35% alcohol by U.S. law, and other extracts can contain alcohol too. Alcohol is dangerous for dogs (ASPCA). We sell vanilla, and we keep the bottle out of reach.
Spices
Pet Poison Helpline says the nutmeg and cinnamon in a recipe are very unlikely to cause serious problems, but a jar's worth of nutmeg, inhaled cinnamon powder or cinnamon oil can.