Can dogs eat acorns (and other tree nuts)?

Updated 12/04/2024

Nothing quite beats a ramble in the woods with your best furry pal - all the sights, smells and sounds sure are a feast for your pup's senses. But as fall rolls around, so do tree nuts on the ground, which gets us thinking about their safety for your all too curious canine companion. So can dogs eat acorns, i.e. the nuts from oak trees? Or is an intrigued nibble here and there nothing to worry about? Well unfortunately, acorns are toxic to dogs, so it's worth sharpening those 'drop it' and 'come here' commands before the next time you go walkies amongst the trees. And it's not just acorns that are dangerous for dogs - many tree nuts pose a serious choking hazard and can even poison your pup, so read on to get clued-up.

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Are acorns poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat acorns in any way, shape or form, or are they simply unsafe for dogs, no matter when or how they're ingested? Unfortunately for your curious canine pal, acorns are highly toxic to dogs. In fact, ingesting even one acorn can cause a whole series of nasty symptoms, and in rare cases, death. That's why it's super important to get your pup's training up to scratch before taking them out, especially if you'd like to let them explore leash-free.

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Why are acorns bad for dogs?

So, now we've clearly settled the question - can dogs eat acorns and you know that dogs eating acorns is bad news all round, you might be wondering specifically what it is about the seemingly humble acorn that's so dangerous for dogs. Well they contain tannins, which are compounds that can do serious harm to your furry friend. In fact, if your pup ingests them, they could suffer a variety of nasty symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in very rare, serious cases. Plus, acorns and other tree nuts pose a serious choking hazard - they're rock hard and could easily get lodged in your dog's throat or part of their gastrointestinal system. And lastly, nuts on the ground eventually grow mold - sitting on moist earth, they're in the perfect condition to grow harmful mold that can cause a range of symptoms including seizures and death if ingested by your furry friend.

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What to do if you find you dog eating acorns

The best thing to do if you suspect your pup has managed to gnaw on an acorn or any other tree nuts is to contact your vet for advice. And if you're wondering how many acorns are toxic to dogs, well it only takes a single acorn to block your pup's gastrointestinal system, so always contact your vet straight away, even if you suspect it's only one nut they've nabbed from the forest floor. 

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Symptoms your dog has eaten acorns

Along with choking and an internal blockage, dogs eating acorns may experience any number of the following symptoms due to the toxic compounds present in the nuts.

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Stomach pains.
• Reduced appetite.
•  Dehydration.
• Collapse.
• Death (in rare cases).

If you suspect your pup has eaten an acorn or any tree nut, contact your vet immediately.  The sooner your doggo receives treatment, the less severe their symptoms will become.

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Quercus poisoning in dogs

While acorns - the nuts from oak trees - are highly toxic to dogs, it turns out that oak leaves and buds are also bad news for our furry friends. If ingested, your pooch could experience what's known as quercus poisoning - find the symptoms below and be sure to contact your vet if you think your dog has eaten any part of the oak tree.

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Loss of appetite.
• Abdominal pain. 
• Shock.

Other tree nuts 

So as we've mentioned, fallen tree nuts tend to be bad news for dogs, and while many aren't necessarily toxic, most pose a choking hazard and can cause gastrointestinal blockages in your dog's gut, so if you were wondering - can dogs eat tree nuts that are fallen, play it safe and know that they're generally best to avoid. And so that you're extra clued-up on which tree nuts are safe for dogs to munch on, take a look below.

Can dogs eat pine nuts?

So long as your pup doesn't have any health issues already, the odd pine nut is safe for your doggo to try. They are high in fat so too many can lead to weight gain.

Can dogs eat hickory nuts?

Hickory nuts should be avoided - they're bigger than most common nuts and could easily cause gastrointestinal blockage.

Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?

Macadamia nuts are seriously dangerous to dogs. Consuming them can cause vomiting, ataxia, hyperthermia and depression.

Can dogs eat almonds?

Almonds should be avoided when it comes to canine snacking. They're rock hard which means they're a challenge for dogs to digest. They can cause tummy upsets and often have risky flavorings too.

Can dogs eat brazil nuts?

While brazil nuts aren't toxic to dogs, they're seriously high in fat which means they should be avoided by your furry friends.

Can dogs eat cashew nuts?

The odd cashew nut won't do your pooch any harm. Just make sure they're served plain and shelled, without any seasonings or flavorings. Too many can lead to weight gain.

Can dogs eat walnuts?

Walnuts are safe for dogs if they're chopped into small pieces and served as an occasional treat. They carry tummy upset issues and blockage risks if consumed in large numbers. They can also grow dangerous molds.

Can dogs eat pecans?

Pecans are toxic to dogs as they contain a compound known as juglone, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. They can also grow dangerous molds.

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So, we can all agree that acorns and dogs make for quite a sour mix, but what other foods can't dogs eat? Take a look below.

• Ice cream
• Almonds
• Tuna

Meet our veterinary expert, Greg

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Greg Steele MA VETMB MRCVS. A mixed vet working in the UK since qualifying from Cambridge University in 2015. Greg enjoys working with all species of animals in all settings, but equally takes pride in communication and education of clients too. He lives with his wife and their cat, and enjoys a variety of sports, gardening, and the great outdoors.