Are oak leaves poisonous to dogs?

Updated 13/07/2023

It’s likely you’ll come across a few oak trees while on walkies with your favorite fluffy pal. Dogs are inquisitive and prone to scavenging, meaning they might have a go at chewing on a few oak leaves given a chance. Are oak leaves poisonous to dogs, and should our furry friends be avoiding acorns this fall? Let’s find out.

Are oak trees poisonous to dogs?

The most likely parts of an oak tree your curious canine is likely to take a nibble (or ten) from are their acorns and leaves. So here, we explore whether oak leaves and acorns are poisonous to dogs, along with the signs and symptoms that they’ve developed toxicity.

Are oak leaves poisonous to dogs?

Yes, if your pooch ingests oak leaves, they could show signs of toxicity. While oak leaves aren’t the most physically digestible flora in the woods, they can poison your pooch. Containing a chemical called gallotannin, oak leaves can seriously upset your pup’s gastrointestinal system, causing vomiting and diarrhea along with lethargy. In the worst cases, damage to the liver and kidneys is also seen – though this is rare in dogs. This chemical is particularly concentrated in young, immature leaves and buds.

Are oak tree acorns toxic to dogs?

If your curious pooch has gotten a little too… curious of late, you might be wondering - can dogs eat oak acorns? It’s a definite no on this one - officially named quercus poisoning, acorns can cause all kinds of nasty symptoms in dogs if ingested, and potentially longer-term problems as well. There are also the immediate risks of choking as well as the risk of blockages to the digestive system. 

And as well as their nuts (acorns) and leaves, your pup might be tempted to nab a branch or gnaw on the bark of an oak tree - you may even consider throwing an oak stick if you forgot to bring the ball. But is it a safe move and are oak trees poisonous to dogs? Well, yes - all parts of the oak tree could cause all kinds of nasty symptoms of toxicity in your pooch. Also, you should never be tempted to throw a stick for a dog generally (toxic or not), as accidental ‘stick injuries’ can occur. So don’t opt for an oak branch if you’ve left your fetch equipment at home!

Oak poisoning in dogs

Symptoms

If your pooch ingests acorns from an oak tree, they may experience what’s known as quercus poisoning. Take a look at the symptoms below (which are the same as poisoning from oak leaves and other parts of the oak tree, by the way) so you’re all prepped ahead of autumn.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (often with blood)
• Lethargy
• Severe liver and kidney problems (rare)

Diagnosis

If you think your pup might have taken a bite of any part of an oak tree (including the leaves and acorns), contact your veterinarian immediately. If you can, take a sample of the morsel that attracted your pooch in the first place - this will help your vet to make a more accurate diagnosis when assessing your pup’s symptoms.

Treatments

When our pups have ingested something they shouldn’t have, it can be tempting to induce vomiting ourselves, but this should always be avoided unless advised by your veterinarian. Rather, contact your veterinarian for advice and get to an appointment as quickly as possible if you’ve been asked to - that way, your vet can choose the best treatments for your pup’s condition after a thorough analysis. Prompt treatment can reduce the risk of permanent harm occurring to your dog.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

Other plants that are poisonous to dogs

Did you know that many of the plants we humans decorate our homes with and plant around our gardens are poisonous to dogs? Get in the know to keep your pup safe, starting with our list below.

• Tomato plants
• Hydrangea
• Sweet peas
• Geraniums