14/09/2025
๐AUTUMN DOG ADVICE - CONKERS๐
On crisp autumn walks your dog may come across conkers that have fallen from a horse chestnut tree, but these shiny seeds are poisonous to dogs!
๐ธWHAT IS A CONKER?๐ธ
A conker is a shiny, round, red-brown seed from a horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum). Conkers are often found on the ground in autumn after dropping from the tree encased in a green or brown spiky fruit.
๐ธHOW MANY DOES A DOG HAVE TO EAT?๐ธ
The amount of toxin in each conker is different, so itโs impossible to know the amount of conkers that your dog would need to eat to make them unwell
Conkers actually taste quite bitter, so itโs unlikely that most dogs will eat enough to make them very ill. But if enough is eaten it can produce more serious effects, and in rare cases can be deadly.
How your dog is affected by this toxin will also depend on their size, when they last ate, how much they chew up the conker and if they have any other health issues.
๐ธOTHER RISKS๐ธ
Poisoning is not the only risk from these seeds. Conkers are large and hard and could cause your dog to choke on them or could block their stomach or gut.
๐ธHOW CAN I PREVENT THIS?๐ธ
If your dog is prone to eating conkers, then keep them on a lead when going for autumn walks (especially in areas where you know there are conker trees). When walking near โconker treesโ, bring along a ball or a chew toy to help keep their mouths occupied.
๐ธWHEN SHOULD I CALL THE VET?๐ธ
If your dog has eaten conkers, then you should contact your vet for advice. If youโre unsure whether your dog has eaten them, but theyโre showing some of the common signs, then you should speak to your vet. Never try to make your dog sick as this can be dangerous and may cause other problems.