How dangerous are acorns to dogs?

In the fall, the trees turn beautiful fall colors and the falling leaves and acorns create a cozy, autumnal scene. Unfortunately, for animals, this is not always as innocent as it looks. In fact, many dogs enjoy sniffing among the fallen leaves and eating acorns, but acorns can be very toxic to dogs. How dangerous are acorns to dogs, and how do you recognize acorn poisoning? We tell you more!

Are acorns poisonous to dogs?

Yes! Both acorns and oak leaves are toxic to dogs and therefore very dangerous. Acorns contain the toxic substance tannin, also known as tannic acid. To many animals, including dogs, this substance is toxic at elevated doses. This is especially true of green, unripe acorns and green oak leaves. In fact, these contain much more tannins than ripe, brown acorns. If your dog has ingested too many acorns, it can lead to acorn poisoning. This can be very serious, so it is important that you take this seriously!

Symptoms of acorn poisoning in dogs

The tannins in acorns can cause damage to your dog’s blood vessels, intestines and kidneys. You can recognize acorn poisoning by the following symptoms:

• Restlessness
• Abdominal pain, recognizable, for example, by a hard or tender abdomen
• Nausea, resulting in vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Little appetite

Do you suspect that your dog may have contracted acorn poisoning? If so, always contact a veterinarian immediately.

How can I prevent my dog from eating acorns?

Acorns are very bitter in taste which does not necessarily make them a tasty snack for a dog. Nevertheless, many dogs do find acorns very fun to play with and some dogs will want to eat them frequently. Therefore, keep in mind the following tips to prevent your dog from eating acorns:

• Choose acorn-free exercise areas in the fall when there are lots of (green) acorns on the ground. Especially if you have a puppy or if you know your dog likes to pick things up off the ground to eat, this is wise.
• During the period when there are lots of acorns, bring something tasty to trade when your dog has acorns in his mouth.
• Pay particular attention during the fall season so you can act in time when your dog does eat acorns.

Treatment for acorn poisoning

As soon as you suspect that your dog has contracted acorn poisoning, it is important to consult a veterinarian immediately. Because acorn poisoning can become serious at a late stage, it is important that you act quickly. So don’t wait too long and also get in touch if your dog has merely been chewing acorns and exhibiting odd behavior. The veterinarian will probably make your dog vomit to remove the remaining acorns from the stomach. In addition, tests will follow to check if the kidneys are affected, and if necessary, an IV will be inserted and further treatment will be started. Prevention is always better than cure, so be extra aware of the risks of acorns and oak leaves in the fall.