Vets Issue Warning to Dog Owners About Conker Dangers This Autumn

As conkers continue to drop, vets are warning dog owners about the potential dangers during autumn walks. Conkers contain a toxin that can make dogs seriously unwell, and their size also poses a choking or intestinal blockage risk.

Ruth Cawston MA VetMB CertAVP(SAM) MRCVS, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine, shared expert advice on behalf of Kin Vet Community on the signs of conker poisoning, what to do if your dog becomes unwell, and how to keep pets safe this season.

Toxic and Dangerous

Conkers can be harmful to dogs for two main reasons. The first is that they contain a chemical called aesculin, which is poisonous to dogs. The second danger comes from their size and hardness, which can cause choking or intestinal obstruction if swallowed whole.

It can take only a few hours for a dog to show signs of illness after chewing or eating conkers.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Dog owners are being urged to look out for these warning signs:

• Vomiting (sometimes with blood)

• Diarrhoea

• Drooling or retching

• Loss of appetite

• Abdominal pain or discomfort

• Restlessness or lethargy

• Tremors or wobbliness in more severe cases

Even small amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Keeping Dogs Safe

To help keep dogs safe on autumn walks, vets recommend:

• Watching for conkers both in and out of their shells (they may appear as green or brown prickly balls, or smooth brown or red seeds)

• Keeping dogs on a lead in areas where conkers are likely to be found

• Avoiding walks near horse chestnut trees

• Checking after walks to ensure dogs haven’t picked anything up

• Maintaining good recall training so dogs can be called back quickly if they go near conkers

If a dog has eaten or chewed a conker, or is showing any of these symptoms, owners are advised to seek veterinary help immediately.