Skip to content

Is Your Dog Safe From Conkers? Warning Signs and Prevention

Did you know conkers contain a chemical called aesculin which is poisonous to dogs?

Why do vets go bonkers over conkers?

At this time of year conkers can be seen in parks and pavements up and down the country (some people even leave them around the house to ward off spiders), but did you know they contain a chemical called aesculin which is poisonous to dogs?

Severe poisoning from conkers is thankfully a rare occurrence, but illness can occur if your dog decides to munch on more than one. Not only that, but larger conkers could also cause an intestinal blockage – especially in smaller breeds of dog. Signs and symptoms to look out for include:

  • Vomiting/diarrhoea (which may contain blood)
  • Drooling
  • Abdominal pain and reduced appetite
  • Restlessness, wobbliness or muscle tremors may also be seen
  • In severe cases, the dog may become dehydrated and go into shock

These symptoms would normally occur between 1-6 hours following ingestion, but can be delayed for up to 2 days.  Vets usually rehydrate and medicate dogs, and remove chewed up conkers stuck in stomachs. This can be done by giving the dog a drug which induces vomiting. Surgery may be required in rare cases.

If your dog is prone to foraging and eating anything in sight, avoid wooded areas where conkers on the floor are more likely and keep your dog on a lead. If your dog is a particularly keen scavenger, you may even wish to consider a basket muzzle during autumn or taking along a chew toy to distract them from any conkers they start to play with.

If your dog does eat a conker, you should always seek veterinary advice immediately.

What should I do if I think my pet has eaten something it shouldn’t have?

These instances require immediate action from you as a pet owner to minimise the risk of any serious consequences.

Your vet only has a short, limited time frame to try to minimise the absorption of poisons before they can cause harm and so an immediate appointment is essential and potentially life-saving.

Follow the simple steps on this page and always remember the word S.P.E.E.D in the future.

S Stop access to any poison

It may seem obvious but can the pet get hold of any more of the substance (i.e. if it’s in your garden)? If so keep your pet away from anything you suspect as dangerous.

P Phone the vet

This is an emergency and must be dealt with immediately.

E Emergency appointment

You cannot ‘wait and see’ with poisons as many do not affect your pet straight away and some can take several days to show symptoms, all the while doing damage to the inside before you see signs on the outside. Getting your pet seen immediately gives you the best chance to get effective treatment for your pet before you reach a potential point of no return.

E Evidence

Knowing what the potential poison is will really help your Vet make a rapid diagnosis and create the best treatment protocol for a successful recovery. If you have a label of the substance, bring it. If you don’t have a label but have access to the substance then bring a sample to the vet for testing (only if it is safe to do so and you are not putting yourself or anyone else in danger). If you don’t have a label or a sample but you animal has been sick, then bring a sample of this with you (if safe to do so) as the ingredient may be present in the vomit. If you don’t have access to any of these then don’t worry as your pet’s blood can be tested.

D Don’t delay!

You cannot afford to wait, act now!

Pet Dangers leaflet
Dômes Pharma UK
© Dômes Pharma is the trading name of TVM UK Animal Health Ltd. Kirtlington Business Centre, Slade Farm, Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, UK. OX5 3JA. Reg no.10041959. United Kingdom 2024. All Rights Reserved
Please confirm that you are a UK veterinary professional
to access this information.