Plant
Conkers (horse chestnuts)
Contact a vet if a conker was eaten.
ModerateDogs
Illustrative cover using relevant category imagery; it does not depict the exact subject.
What to do right now
- 1.Take conkers away
- 2.Estimate how many were swallowed
- 3.Call your vet
Symptoms
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Restlessness
- Signs of blockage: repeated vomiting, no stools
Details
- Category
- Plant
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Species affected
- Dogs
- Routes of exposure
- Chewing or swallowing conkers, often during autumn walks.
- Urgency
- Contact a vet if a conker was eaten.
Veterinary notes and prevention
Conkers cause poisoning and, because they are hard and round, can block the gut. Do not throw them for dogs.
Prepare the information your vet needs
- For Conkers (horse chestnuts), report the exposure route: Chewing or swallowing conkers, often during autumn walks. Tell the clinic the time, possible amount and your pet's species and approximate weight.
- Photograph the packaging, ingredient list or plant if safe. Do not handle contaminated material without protection or delay the call to identify it perfectly.
- Keep other animals away from the source. An animal may appear normal before signs develop; do not wait for symptoms or calculate a home 'safe dose'.
- Follow the clinic's transport instructions. Do not give food, medicines or home remedies unless instructed, and take packaging with you if available.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Sources on this topic
Pages on this specific subject from recognised organisations. They are cited for further reading and do not mean the organisation has reviewed this page.
- Horse Chestnut: toxicity to pets — Pet Poison Helpline
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Horse Chestnut — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.