The cozy season of fall is in full swing and the leaves are falling from the trees. There are lots of new sights and smells for your pup on walks and even in their own backyard. It’s finally cool enough for us Texans to actually give our dogs the full, long walks that they deserve. Leaves aren’t the only things falling from our Texas oak trees, though. You have probably seen acorns all over your sidewalks, your yard, and littered throughout the dog parks in your area. What you may not see is the danger in letting your furry friend ingest a few of these harmless looking nuts.

Acorns, while harmless looking, are actually poisonous to our furry friends. They contain compounds called tannins that are harmful to your BFFF. When a dog eats them, it will upset their stomach quite a bit. If they eat too many, acorns can cause kidney failure, liver failure or even death. Not to mention, there are hard and spikey bits of the shell that can cause damage or a blockage in your pet’s stomach. It is best to always be mindful of your pet’s surroundings when they are enjoying the great outdoors this fall. If your dog has eaten an acorn, contact your veterinarian right away. The best way to help your pet with acorn poisoning is to keep it from happening in the first place. Learning commands like “Leave it!” or “Drop it!” are a great place to start with keeping your pet from ingesting things they aren’t supposed to.

You may be thinking to yourself, “I had no idea that acorns were this harmful to my dog!” and you aren’t the only one. Many pet parents don’t know about the dangers this lovely season brings to our furry loved ones. It is important to do your research, and when in doubt, contact your vet. If you found this helpful, share it with another dog lover! Stay tuned for Thanksgiving dos and don’ts with your BFFF!