Can Birds Eat Chocolate?

Most of us enjoy chocolate in some form or another, whether it’s candy or baked goods, so it’s common to have it at home. However, chocolate is toxic to many species of pets, including birds.

When people think of pets eating chocolate, they often picture dogs consuming entire bags of candy or whole pans of brownies. But given the opportunity, birds can be just as interested in this sweet treat.

Unfortunately, due to their small size, birds can’t consume nearly as much chocolate as dogs before it becomes dangerous, and it doesn’t take much to cause serious harm.

If your pet bird accidentally consumes any amount of chocolate, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 immediately.

What Is Chocolate Poisoning in Birds?

Chocolate contains both caffeine and a caffeine-like substance called theobromine, and both compounds are toxic to pets, including birds. When consumed by birds, these components can cause excessive stimulation of the brain and heart, leading to severe clinical signs such as hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, or an elevated heart rate.

Because birds are small and have a low body weight, it doesn’t take much chocolate to cause a problem.

The amount of caffeine and theobromine in chocolate varies depending on how dark the chocolate is. The darker the chocolate, the higher the amount of these substances and the smaller the amount needed to cause harm.

Cocoa powder and unsweetened baking chocolate contain the highest amounts of caffeine and theobromine, so it takes only a very small amount of these types to cause chocolate poisoning in birds.

Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Birds

Small amounts of chocolate may lead to mild symptoms such as regurgitation, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, larger exposures can result in more severe signs.

In general, the clinical signs that can be observed after a bird ingests chocolate include:

• Regurgitation

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Dark-colored feces

• Hyperactivity

• High blood pressure

• Increased heart rate

• Heart arrhythmias

• Heart failure

• Respiratory failure

• Tremors

• Seizures

• Death

My Bird Ate Chocolate. Now What?

Since the amount of caffeine and theobromine varies in different types of chocolate, the quantity needed to cause poisoning in your bird also varies.

If your bird has consumed any kind of chocolate or baked goods containing chocolate, immediately contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 pet poison control center, at (855) 764-7661. They can help determine if your bird has ingested enough chocolate to cause concern.

If so, your bird will need to be evaluated at a veterinary facility. When calling your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline, provide as much information as possible, including:

• The type of chocolate your bird ate

• The amount eaten

• The time of ingestion

•  Any symptoms your bird is experiencing 

Additionally, having details about your bird’s species, age, approximate weight, and any existing medical conditions will be helpful. All this information will assist in assessing whether your bird might develop chocolate poisoning.

How Veterinarians Treat Chocolate Poisoning in Birds

If your bird has eaten a toxic dose, your veterinarian may perform a crop lavage to attempt to remove some of the chocolate. In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the crop, an expandable pouch in a bird’s throat that stores and softens food, to flush out its contents.

Medical-grade activated charcoal may also be administered to help prevent the absorption of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.

Your bird might receive fluid therapy, and the veterinary team will closely monitor your bird’s heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rhythm.

They will also watch for signs of hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures. If these symptoms occur, various medications may be used to manage the clinical signs. Chocolate poisoning can also cause vomiting and diarrhea, which may require treatment as well.

The effects of chocolate poisoning can last for 24–48 hours, so if your bird has consumed a toxic dose, they may need to stay at the veterinary clinic for one to two days for proper treatment and monitoring.

Prevention of Chocolate Poisoning in Birds

Birds are very curious and enjoy investigating their environment. If your bird flies around your home, it’s important to store chocolate in closed cabinets or containers to prevent them from getting access to it.

A piece of chocolate’s shiny wrapping or colorful coating can attract birds, increasing the likelihood that they might try to eat it. Even when birds are in their cage, they can be quite mischievous and might still reach for or grab chocolate if it’s within their reach.

To further protect your bird, be sure to educate guests, especially children, about what is safe and unsafe for birds to eat.

It’s common for kids to share their food with pets, and they might assume that since chocolate is a treat for them, it can be a treat for pets as well. Birds are very perceptive, and they may learn that food tends to get dropped when kids are around, making them more alert and eager to find something tasty.