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As the colder months roll in, you might be looking forward to those autumnal dog walks full of golden foliage, misty morning light and crunchy leaves underfoot.
There is something else the autumn brings, however, and that’s fallen seeds - including acorns and conkers that scatter the ground of parks, pavements and fields. Dogs are curious creatures and will gladly munch on acorns and conkers when your head’s turned - but is it safe for them?
Read on to learn about the dangers of acorns and conkers for dogs, and tips on how to keep your pooch safe on autumn walks.
Yes - conkers are toxic to dogs and shouldn’t be ingested.
If your pooch eats a conker, not only does it pose a serious choking hazard, it can make your dog very sick due to the toxin aesculin. This can cause your dog to vomit or have diarrhoea - but it can lead to more serious symptoms, or even death if it goes untreated.
Let’s talk trees and seeds.
A conker is the seed of a horse chestnut tree, and grows encased in a spiky green shell. The seeds (conkers) are round, shiny, and brown inside their spiky casing, and are about the size of a large marble or golf ball.
Although conkers look similar to chestnuts, they are not edible.
On the ground outside, a conker will likely be inside its green spiky case - though often they can come loose and will resemble a golf-ball-sized seed; which is brown, hard and shiny. Often there will be lots of them on the ground at one time, underneath a horse chestnut tree.
The entirety of a horse chestnut tree is toxic to dogs if they ingest it.
This includes the bark and flowers, as well as the conkers. This is because the whole tree contains the toxin, aesculin, which can make a dog very ill or even prove fatal.
Yes, acorns are toxic to dogs due to the presence of tannins.
These are a type of bitter-tasting compound that can irritate a dog’s digestive system and cause pain, diarrhoea and vomiting if they eat too many. Tannins also affect the nervous system, so can cause convulsions. In severe cases, tannins can cause kidney or liver damage in your pooch.
Acorns are the seed of the oak tree.
They are smaller than conkers, more like a small marble - and are light brown, typically oval-shaped with a hard, smooth shell.
Yes, acorns are toxic to dogs due to the presence of tannins.
These are a type of bitter-tasting compound that can irritate a dog’s digestive system and cause pain, diarrhoea and vomiting if they eat too many. Tannins also affect the nervous system, so can cause convulsions. In severe cases, tannins can cause kidney or liver damage in your pooch.
When they’ve fallen from an oak tree, acorns are usually brown, small, hard and shiny. They have a small green cap and maybe a stalk, where they’ve been attached to the branches of the oak tree. Many acorns will scatter the ground underneath an oak tree in the autumn.
Here are some signs that your dog may have eaten something they shouldn’t on an autumn walk…
Mild symptoms of poisoning from conkers or acorns might be:
Your pooch might show the above mild symptoms alongside one or more of these severe symptoms:
If your pooch shows any of the above symptoms, take them to the vet as a state of emergency. If you notice your dog is eating a conker or acorn, remove the pieces from your dog’s mouth, if you can. Keep a close eye on them - but if they’re a small or frail dog it’s worth calling the vet, regardless of how fine they seem.
If your dog eats only one conker or acorn, they might be lucky enough to go unaffected - but you should take them to the vet anyway for a check-up. This is especially important if your dog is small. Keep a close eye on them for any untoward symptoms. If they eat more than one acorn or conker, it goes without saying that you should immediately take them to the vet.
We can’t keep our dog in sight at all times, especially if you’ve let them off the lead - but there are steps you can take to prevent your pooch eating acorns or conkers on an autumn walk:
Keep dog on lead
If you’re in an area that’s rife with dropped acorns and conkers, it’s a good idea to keep your pooch on the lead for that portion of the walk. This way it’s easier to keep an eye on them and pull them away from anything they might try to snaffle.
Train them to leave it
Teach your dog commands, if you haven’t already - like ‘leave it!’, to tell your pooch to divert their attention away. Whenever you see them sniffling around in grass or underneath a tree that’s dropped its seeds, you can call them away with a stern command.Be safe outdoors
Keep a sense of safety in mind at all times when you’re out walking the dog during the autumn months - there are lots more seeds and fallen fruits on the ground that your dog can get their nose into. Be vigilant about what they might be distracted by, and keep them distracted with healthy dog treats instead.
For the perfect autumnal pairing, why not try our seasonal Pumpkin Spice Probiotic Meaty Treats? Made up of nutrient-rich pumpkin and just a sprinkle of cinnamon for bonus anti-inflammatory properties, 'tis the season to be chomping on these delicious, probiotic meaty bites.
Here are some other risks to keep a vigilant eye on during your autumn dog walks:
Just like humans shouldn’t eat any mushroom they find, nor should dogs - some are toxic or even deadly.
Try to keep your dog from lapping up water from ponds or dirty puddles, as it can contain nasty bacteria or parasites that will make them very sick.
Dogs rolling around in grasses or pushing through shrubs in forests may pick up ticks, which can cause Lyme Disease. Examine your dog’s skin and coat regularly after a walk for any unwanted stowaways.
Snails, slugs, and their slime trails can transmit lungworm, a parasite that can cause serious illness in dogs. This one is tricky, but try to stop your dog from slurping up slugs and snails
There's nothing better than enjoying the turn of the season with your pooch! And with our help, you can do so safely. For more tips on keeping your dog safe, happy and healthy, be sure to check out the rest of our Dog Blog. To make sure they're chomping on nothing but nutritious goodies, explore our whole healthy and natural dog food range. Happy Paw-tumn!
Comments (2)
Lots of usefull information!! Thank you !
Thanks for the information…very useful to.know.
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