Can Dogs Eat Acorns? How Acorns Affect Dogs

No, it is unsafe for dogs to eat acorns because they contain the poisonous compound gallotannin, and their small size can pose a choking hazard or intestinal obstruction risk. Oak leaves also contain gallotannin and are toxic for dogs.

Acorns harm your dog’s health in a few main ways:

• Chemical poisoning: Acorns contain the compound gallotannin, a toxic tannin that can make your dog extremely sick, leading to lethargy, stomach upset, diarrhea, or vomiting. In severe cases, if your dog consumes large quantities of gallic acid, it can result in quercus poisoning or oak poisoning, potentially leading to permanent kidney damage, liver damage, kidney failure, or death.
• Choking hazard: Since acorns are tiny and sharp, ingestion is a choking hazard for smaller dogs and may block their airway, making it difficult to breathe.
• Intestine obstruction: If your dog successfully swallows an acorn, it can get stuck in your dog’s stomach or digestive system and cause a dangerous tear or blockage.

The quantity of acorns consumed to result in poisoning depends on the size and weight of your dog. Severe acorn poisoning occurs if a dog eats at least six percent of its body weight in acorns. This can be limited quantities for a small dog, while large dogs may need to eat significantly more to experience severe symptoms. Consult a veterinary professional if your dog displays any symptoms within forty-eight hours of eating an acorn (whether a single acorn or large amounts).

In addition to acorn toxicity, eating one acorn can put your dog at risk of choking or intestinal blockage.

If your dog ate acorns, monitor your pet for these symptoms:

1. 1. Signs of choking: If your dog ate an acorn, watch to make sure they don’t choke. Look for signs including distress, difficulty breathing, coughing, pawing at the mouth, gagging, and rubbing their face on the ground. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, check your dog’s throat for an object and try to dislodge it using a swiping motion.
2. 2. Symptoms of acorn poisoning in dogs: To monitor your dog for signs of acorn toxicity, look for excessive drooling, lethargy, excessive thirst, upset stomach, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), dry retching, vomiting (including bloody vomiting), gastrointestinal or abdominal pain, and collapse. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, contact a veterinary professional immediately.
3. 3. Signs of intestinal obstruction: If your dog may be at risk for an intestinal blockage, look for signs including lethargy, vomiting (especially after eating or drinking), minimal (or no) bowel movements, tender digestive tract, diarrhea, and pale gums. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, call a veterinary professional for an X-ray.

Here are a few techniques to stop your dog from eating acorns off the ground:

1. 1. Start with prevention. The best tactic to stop your dog from eating acorns is to reduce their contact with the nut. Keep a close eye for areas littered with acorns; if there’s a specific park dense with oak trees, skip going to that park in autumn to avoid exposing your dog to acorns. If your backyard oak tree drops a lot of acorns, regularly rake them up to get them out of reach.
2. 2. Train with the “drop it” command. “Drop it” or “leave it” is an essential command in dog training since it helps dog owners control what stays in their dog’s mouth. Work regularly with your dog on this command so that if they pick up an acorn, you can quickly prompt them to drop it.
3. 3. Use distractions. If your dog likes to try to eat acorns despite your other efforts, use well-planned distractions to keep your dog from noticing the acorns in the first place. While on walks near oak trees, bring special treats or a favorite toy to refocus your dog’s concentration away from the acorns.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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