Can dogs or cats eat acorns?
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Can dogs eat acorns?
Has your dog discovered some acorns under your oak tree? Time to rake them up. Even though they might seem harmless for your pup to play with, acorns can cause serious health issues if ingested in large quantities.
Acorns contain tannins that can be toxic to dogs when consumed in large amounts. Tannins interfere with digestion as they bind proteins together, and make them difficult to absorb. This can lead to a condition known as gastroenteritis, which causes vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and dehydration.
Moreover, acorns also have a high fat content which may cause pancreatitis in dogs if eaten regularly or excessively. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that may result in severe abdominal pain, vomiting and even shock.
And even if your dog isn't eating acorns, if he does happen to swallow one, it could result in intestinal blockages. Not fun!
If your dog downed some acorns and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating any unsafe foods, dog insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
Can dogs eat...
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Can cats eat acorns?
Has your cat been gnawing on acorns? Unfortunately, acorns contain tannic acid, which is toxic for felines. If ingested in large quantities, this substance can cause severe health problems, such as kidney failure. Additionally, acorns have a hard exterior that can get stuck in your cat's digestive tract, leading to blockages or intestinal damage.
Symptoms of acorn poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and lethargy, among others. If left untreated for too long, these symptoms can escalate quickly into more serious conditions that could endanger your cat's life.
Did your cat help themselves to some tasty acorns? If they're showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating any unsafe foods, cat insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
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Information purposes only
The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian.
Pet poison emergency protocol
If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).
Food safety statuses
Could be given almost daily without harm
Not toxic, but should not be given regularly
Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet