Overview

• Conkers from horse chestnut trees contain the toxin aesculin, which can harm dogs even in small amounts.
• Symptoms may appear within hours and include drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, agitation, trembling or seizures.
• Beyond toxicity, conkers can cause choking or intestinal blockages that sometimes require surgical removal.
• Vets advise inspecting walking routes, avoiding areas with horse chestnut trees, using leads in risky spots, and reinforcing reliable recall and “leave it” commands.
• If ingestion is suspected, owners should contact a vet immediately, as early measures such as induced vomiting, activated charcoal or IV fluids can reduce complications; the NHS also notes horse chestnuts differ from edible sweet chestnuts.