What happens if my dog eats an oak leaf?

kathleen williams
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 147 Feedbacks

November 11, 20092 found this helpful

Yes, many people are surprised to hear that those beautiful, shady oak trees in the backyard that everyone, including the dog, loves to stretch out under can be a potential danger for their dog.

According to the ASPCA website, as well as Dr. Jon Geller, veterinarian with dogchannel.com, acorns contain gallotannin which, depending on the amount eaten, can cause gastrointestinal upsets in pets and other animals, with symptoms such as cramps, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, sometimes bloody diarrhea, and kidney failure. A few dogs may have seizures. Acorns swallowed whole have the potential to block the intestines, while chewed acorns release more toxin and the sharp pieces can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

The hard outer shell of an acorn contains the most gallotannin while green acorns contain more gallotannin than brown acorns. Small amounts may cause only mild illness but in severe cases, dogs have died of kidney failure from eating acorns. Dr. Geller even mentions that oak buds, bark, leaves, and drinking water that oak leaves have soaked in can cause illness in dogs.

Oak trees are the icon of strength and beauty and form a comfortable shade during hot summer but when leaves and acorns begin to fall, dog owners may be wise to keep an eye on the dog. Not all dogs will eat them but the little round objects can look an awful lot like a toy or something fun to play with. Dogs don't always know what is and is not good for them. Teething puppies, especially, have a tendency to investigate and taste everything. Some dog owners report that symptoms can show up quickly after ingestion or be delayed for several days.

Outside drinking water should be kept in a place where leaves can not fall into it and should be cleaned and changed every day. Good luck.

Reply Was this helpful? 2

Anonymous

February 10, 20160 found this helpful

I was raking the oak leaves up & there was a white mold growing under the leafs. My dog was exposed to this & got very sick. He had tremors & was unable to walk for 24 hours. The next day he was fine.

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

Anonymous

November 26, 20170 found this helpful

The little balls on an oak tree if the dogs chew on them. R they poison-is to them

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

AnnieTheGolden

September 19, 20190 found this helpful

It would be wise to just keep your pups inside if you have oak trees outside. Though acorns aren't fatal if ingested in small quantities, their tiny stomachs might not be able to take the toxins in acorn.

You can read more about it here: goldenretrieverlove.com/.../

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

AKC PUPDATE<\> newsletter!","textSubheader":"Covering day 1 to 18 months; get essential info about puppy health, training, socialization and more.","breeds":[{"label":"Affenpinscher","value":"Affenpinscher"},{"label":"Afghan Hound","value":"Afghan Hound"},{"label":"Airedale Terrier","value":"Airedale Terrier"},{"label":"Akita","value":"Akita"},{"label":"Alaskan Klee Kai","value":"Alaskan Klee Kai"},{"label":"Alaskan Malamute","value":"Alaskan Malamute"},{"label":"American Bulldog","value":"American Bulldog"},{"label":"American English Coonhound","value":"American English Coonhound"},{"label":"American Eskimo Dog","value":"American Eskimo Dog"},{"label":"American Foxhound","value":"American Foxhound"},{"label":"American Hairless Terrier","value":"American Hairless Terrier"},{"label":"American Leopard Hound","value":"American Leopard Hound"},{"label":"American Staffordshire Terrier","value":"American Staffordshire Terrier"},{"label":"American Water Spaniel","value":"American Water Spaniel"},{"label":"Anatolian Shepherd Dog","value":"Anatolian Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Appenzeller Sennenhund","value":"Appenzeller Sennenhund"},{"label":"Australian Cattle Dog","value":"Australian Cattle Dog"},{"label":"Australian Kelpie","value":"Australian Kelpie"},{"label":"Australian Shepherd","value":"Australian Shepherd"},{"label":"Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog","value":"Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog"},{"label":"Australian Terrier","value":"Australian Terrier"},{"label":"Azawakh","value":"Azawakh"},{"label":"Barbado da Terceira","value":"Barbado da Terceira"},{"label":"Barbet","value":"Barbet"},{"label":"Basenji","value":"Basenji"},{"label":"Basset Fauve de Bretagne","value":"Basset Fauve de Bretagne"},{"label":"Basset Hound","value":"Basset Hound"},{"label":"Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound","value":"Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound"},{"label":"Beagle","value":"Beagle"},{"label":"Bearded Collie","value":"Bearded Collie"},{"label":"Beauceron","value":"Beauceron"},{"label":"Bedlington Terrier","value":"Bedlington Terrier"},{"label":"Belgian Laekenois","value":"Belgian Laekenois"},{"label":"Belgian Malinois","value":"Belgian Malinois"},{"label":"Belgian Sheepdog","value":"Belgian Sheepdog"},{"label":"Belgian Tervuren","value":"Belgian Tervuren"},{"label":"Bergamasco Sheepdog","value":"Bergamasco Sheepdog"},{"label":"Berger Picard","value":"Berger Picard"},{"label":"Bernese Mountain Dog","value":"Bernese Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Bichon Frise","value":"Bichon Frise"},{"label":"Biewer Terrier","value":"Biewer Terrier"},{"label":"Black and Tan Coonhound","value":"Black and Tan Coonhound"},{"label":"Black Russian Terrier","value":"Black Russian Terrier"},{"label":"Bloodhound","value":"Bloodhound"},{"label":"Bluetick Coonhound","value":"Bluetick Coonhound"},{"label":"Boerboel","value":"Boerboel"},{"label":"Bohemian Shepherd","value":"Bohemian Shepherd"},{"label":"Bolognese","value":"Bolognese"},{"label":"Border Collie","value":"Border Collie"},{"label":"Border Terrier","value":"Border Terrier"},{"label":"Borzoi","value":"Borzoi"},{"label":"Boston Terrier","value":"Boston Terrier"},{"label":"Bouvier des Flandres","value":"Bouvier des Flandres"},{"label":"Boxer","value":"Boxer"},{"label":"Boykin Spaniel","value":"Boykin Spaniel"},{"label":"Bracco Italiano","value":"Bracco Italiano"},{"label":"Braque du Bourbonnais","value":"Braque du Bourbonnais"},{"label":"Braque Francais Pyrenean","value":"Braque Francais Pyrenean"},{"label":"Briard","value":"Briard"},{"label":"Brittany","value":"Brittany"},{"label":"Broholmer","value":"Broholmer"},{"label":"Brussels Griffon","value":"Brussels Griffon"},{"label":"Bull Terrier","value":"Bull Terrier"},{"label":"Bulldog","value":"Bulldog"},{"label":"Bullmastiff","value":"Bullmastiff"},{"label":"Cairn Terrier","value":"Cairn Terrier"},{"label":"Canaan Dog","value":"Canaan Dog"},{"label":"Cane Corso","value":"Cane Corso"},{"label":"Cardigan Welsh Corgi","value":"Cardigan Welsh Corgi"},{"label":"Carolina Dog","value":"Carolina Dog"},{"label":"Catahoula Leopard Dog","value":"Catahoula Leopard Dog"},{"label":"Caucasian Shepherd Dog","value":"Caucasian Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Cavalier King Charles Spaniel","value":"Cavalier King Charles Spaniel"},{"label":"Central Asian Shepherd Dog","value":"Central Asian Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Cesky Terrier","value":"Cesky Terrier"},{"label":"Chesapeake Bay Retriever","value":"Chesapeake Bay Retriever"},{"label":"Chihuahua","value":"Chihuahua"},{"label":"Chinese Crested","value":"Chinese Crested"},{"label":"Chinese Shar-Pei","value":"Chinese Shar-Pei"},{"label":"Chinook","value":"Chinook"},{"label":"Chow Chow","value":"Chow Chow"},{"label":"Cirneco dell\u2019Etna","value":"Cirneco dell\u2019Etna"},{"label":"Clumber Spaniel","value":"Clumber Spaniel"},{"label":"Cocker Spaniel","value":"Cocker Spaniel"},{"label":"Collie","value":"Collie"},{"label":"Coton de Tulear","value":"Coton de Tulear"},{"label":"Croatian Sheepdog","value":"Croatian Sheepdog"},{"label":"Curly-Coated Retriever","value":"Curly-Coated Retriever"},{"label":"Czechoslovakian Vlcak","value":"Czechoslovakian Vlcak"},{"label":"Dachshund","value":"Dachshund"},{"label":"Dalmatian","value":"Dalmatian"},{"label":"Dandie Dinmont Terrier","value":"Dandie Dinmont Terrier"},{"label":"Danish-Swedish Farmdog","value":"Danish-Swedish Farmdog"},{"label":"Deutscher Wachtelhund","value":"Deutscher Wachtelhund"},{"label":"Doberman Pinscher","value":"Doberman Pinscher"},{"label":"Dogo Argentino","value":"Dogo Argentino"},{"label":"Dogue de Bordeaux","value":"Dogue de Bordeaux"},{"label":"Drentsche Patrijshond","value":"Drentsche Patrijshond"},{"label":"Drever","value":"Drever"},{"label":"Dutch Shepherd","value":"Dutch Shepherd"},{"label":"English Cocker Spaniel","value":"English Cocker Spaniel"},{"label":"English Foxhound","value":"English Foxhound"},{"label":"English Setter","value":"English Setter"},{"label":"English Springer Spaniel","value":"English Springer Spaniel"},{"label":"English Toy Spaniel","value":"English Toy Spaniel"},{"label":"Entlebucher Mountain Dog","value":"Entlebucher Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Estrela Mountain Dog","value":"Estrela Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Eurasier","value":"Eurasier"},{"label":"Field Spaniel","value":"Field Spaniel"},{"label":"Finnish Lapphund","value":"Finnish Lapphund"},{"label":"Finnish Spitz","value":"Finnish Spitz"},{"label":"Flat-Coated Retriever","value":"Flat-Coated Retriever"},{"label":"French Bulldog","value":"French Bulldog"},{"label":"French Spaniel","value":"French Spaniel"},{"label":"German Longhaired Pointer","value":"German Longhaired Pointer"},{"label":"German Pinscher","value":"German Pinscher"},{"label":"German Shepherd Dog","value":"German Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"German Shorthaired Pointer","value":"German Shorthaired Pointer"},{"label":"German Spitz","value":"German Spitz"},{"label":"German Wirehaired Pointer","value":"German Wirehaired Pointer"},{"label":"Giant Schnauzer","value":"Giant Schnauzer"},{"label":"Glen of Imaal Terrier","value":"Glen of Imaal Terrier"},{"label":"Golden Retriever","value":"Golden Retriever"},{"label":"Gordon Setter","value":"Gordon Setter"},{"label":"Grand Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en","value":"Grand Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en"},{"label":"Great Dane","value":"Great Dane"},{"label":"Great Pyrenees","value":"Great Pyrenees"},{"label":"Greater Swiss Mountain Dog","value":"Greater Swiss Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Greyhound","value":"Greyhound"},{"label":"Hamiltonstovare","value":"Hamiltonstovare"},{"label":"Hanoverian Scenthound","value":"Hanoverian Scenthound"},{"label":"Harrier","value":"Harrier"},{"label":"Havanese","value":"Havanese"},{"label":"Hokkaido","value":"Hokkaido"},{"label":"Hovawart","value":"Hovawart"},{"label":"Ibizan Hound","value":"Ibizan Hound"},{"label":"Icelandic Sheepdog","value":"Icelandic Sheepdog"},{"label":"Irish Red and White Setter","value":"Irish Red and White Setter"},{"label":"Irish Setter","value":"Irish Setter"},{"label":"Irish Terrier","value":"Irish Terrier"},{"label":"Irish Water Spaniel","value":"Irish Water Spaniel"},{"label":"Irish Wolfhound","value":"Irish Wolfhound"},{"label":"Italian Greyhound","value":"Italian Greyhound"},{"label":"Jagdterrier","value":"Jagdterrier"},{"label":"Japanese Akitainu","value":"Japanese Akitainu"},{"label":"Japanese Chin","value":"Japanese Chin"},{"label":"Japanese Spitz","value":"Japanese Spitz"},{"label":"Japanese Terrier","value":"Japanese Terrier"},{"label":"Jindo","value":"Jindo"},{"label":"Kai Ken","value":"Kai Ken"},{"label":"Karelian Bear Dog","value":"Karelian Bear Dog"},{"label":"Keeshond","value":"Keeshond"},{"label":"Kerry Blue Terrier","value":"Kerry Blue Terrier"},{"label":"Kishu Ken","value":"Kishu Ken"},{"label":"Komondor","value":"Komondor"},{"label":"Kromfohrlander","value":"Kromfohrlander"},{"label":"Kuvasz","value":"Kuvasz"},{"label":"Labrador Retriever","value":"Labrador Retriever"},{"label":"Lagotto Romagnolo","value":"Lagotto Romagnolo"},{"label":"Lakeland Terrier","value":"Lakeland Terrier"},{"label":"Lancashire Heeler","value":"Lancashire Heeler"},{"label":"Lapponian Herder","value":"Lapponian Herder"},{"label":"Leonberger","value":"Leonberger"},{"label":"Lhasa Apso","value":"Lhasa Apso"},{"label":"L\u00f6wchen","value":"Lowchen"},{"label":"Maltese","value":"Maltese"},{"label":"Manchester Terrier (Standard)","value":"Manchester Terrier"},{"label":"Manchester Terrier (Toy)","value":"Manchester Terrier"},{"label":"Mastiff","value":"Mastiff"},{"label":"Miniature American Shepherd","value":"Miniature American Shepherd"},{"label":"Miniature Bull Terrier","value":"Miniature Bull Terrier"},{"label":"Miniature Pinscher","value":"Miniature Pinscher"},{"label":"Miniature Schnauzer","value":"Miniature Schnauzer"},{"label":"Mountain Cur","value":"Mountain Cur"},{"label":"Mudi","value":"Mudi"},{"label":"Neapolitan Mastiff","value":"Neapolitan Mastiff"},{"label":"Nederlandse Kooikerhondje","value":"Nederlandse Kooikerhondje"},{"label":"Newfoundland","value":"Newfoundland"},{"label":"Norfolk Terrier","value":"Norfolk Terrier"},{"label":"Norrbottenspets","value":"Norrbottenspets"},{"label":"Norwegian Buhund","value":"Norwegian Buhund"},{"label":"Norwegian Elkhound","value":"Norwegian Elkhound"},{"label":"Norwegian Lundehund","value":"Norwegian Lundehund"},{"label":"Norwich Terrier","value":"Norwich Terrier"},{"label":"Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever","value":"Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever"},{"label":"Old English Sheepdog","value":"Old English Sheepdog"},{"label":"Otterhound","value":"Otterhound"},{"label":"Papillon","value":"Papillon"},{"label":"Parson Russell Terrier","value":"Parson Russell Terrier"},{"label":"Pekingese","value":"Pekingese"},{"label":"Pembroke Welsh Corgi","value":"Pembroke Welsh Corgi"},{"label":"Perro de Presa Canario","value":"Perro de Presa Canario"},{"label":"Peruvian Inca Orchid","value":"Peruvian Inca Orchid"},{"label":"Petit Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en","value":"Petit Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en"},{"label":"Pharaoh Hound","value":"Pharaoh Hound"},{"label":"Plott Hound","value":"Plott Hound"},{"label":"Pointer","value":"Pointer"},{"label":"Polish Lowland Sheepdog","value":"Polish Lowland Sheepdog"},{"label":"Pomeranian","value":"Pomeranian"},{"label":"Poodle (Miniature)","value":"Poodle"},{"label":"Poodle (Standard)","value":"Poodle"},{"label":"Poodle (Toy)","value":"Poodle"},{"label":"Porcelaine","value":"Porcelaine"},{"label":"Portuguese Podengo","value":"Portuguese Podengo"},{"label":"Portuguese Podengo Pequeno","value":"Portuguese Podengo Pequeno"},{"label":"Portuguese Pointer","value":"Portuguese Pointer"},{"label":"Portuguese Sheepdog","value":"Portuguese Sheepdog"},{"label":"Portuguese Water Dog","value":"Portuguese Water Dog"},{"label":"Pudelpointer","value":"Pudelpointer"},{"label":"Pug","value":"Pug"},{"label":"Puli","value":"Puli"},{"label":"Pumi","value":"Pumi"},{"label":"Pyrenean Mastiff","value":"Pyrenean Mastiff"},{"label":"Pyrenean Shepherd","value":"Pyrenean Shepherd"},{"label":"Rafeiro do Alentejo","value":"Rafeiro do Alentejo"},{"label":"Rat Terrier","value":"Rat Terrier"},{"label":"Redbone Coonhound","value":"Redbone Coonhound"},{"label":"Rhodesian Ridgeback","value":"Rhodesian Ridgeback"},{"label":"Romanian Carpathian Shepherd","value":"Romanian Carpathian Shepherd"},{"label":"Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog","value":"Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Rottweiler","value":"Rottweiler"},{"label":"Russell Terrier","value":"Russell Terrier"},{"label":"Russian Toy","value":"Russian Toy"},{"label":"Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka","value":"Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka"},{"label":"Saint Bernard","value":"Saint Bernard"},{"label":"Saluki","value":"Saluki"},{"label":"Samoyed","value":"Samoyed"},{"label":"Schapendoes","value":"Schapendoes"},{"label":"Schipperke","value":"Schipperke"},{"label":"Scottish Deerhound","value":"Scottish Deerhound"},{"label":"Scottish Terrier","value":"Scottish Terrier"},{"label":"Sealyham Terrier","value":"Sealyham Terrier"},{"label":"Segugio Italiano","value":"Segugio Italiano"},{"label":"Shetland Sheepdog","value":"Shetland Sheepdog"},{"label":"Shiba Inu","value":"Shiba Inu"},{"label":"Shih Tzu","value":"Shih Tzu"},{"label":"Shikoku","value":"Shikoku"},{"label":"Siberian Husky","value":"Siberian Husky"},{"label":"Silky Terrier","value":"Silky Terrier"},{"label":"Skye Terrier","value":"Skye Terrier"},{"label":"Sloughi","value":"Sloughi"},{"label":"Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer","value":"Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer"},{"label":"Slovensky Cuvac","value":"Slovensky Cuvac"},{"label":"Slovensky Kopov","value":"Slovensky Kopov"},{"label":"Small Munsterlander","value":"Small Munsterlander"},{"label":"Smooth Fox Terrier","value":"Smooth Fox Terrier"},{"label":"Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier","value":"Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier"},{"label":"Spanish Mastiff","value":"Spanish Mastiff"},{"label":"Spanish Water Dog","value":"Spanish Water Dog"},{"label":"Spinone Italiano","value":"Spinone Italiano"},{"label":"Stabyhoun","value":"Stabyhoun"},{"label":"Staffordshire Bull Terrier","value":"Staffordshire Bull Terrier"},{"label":"Standard Schnauzer","value":"Standard Schnauzer"},{"label":"Sussex Spaniel","value":"Sussex Spaniel"},{"label":"Swedish Lapphund","value":"Swedish Lapphund"},{"label":"Swedish Vallhund","value":"Swedish Vallhund"},{"label":"Taiwan Dog","value":"Taiwan Dog"},{"label":"Teddy Roosevelt Terrier","value":"Teddy Roosevelt Terrier"},{"label":"Thai Ridgeback","value":"Thai Ridgeback"},{"label":"Tibetan Mastiff","value":"Tibetan Mastiff"},{"label":"Tibetan Spaniel","value":"Tibetan Spaniel"},{"label":"Tibetan Terrier","value":"Tibetan Terrier"},{"label":"Tornjak","value":"Tornjak"},{"label":"Tosa","value":"Tosa"},{"label":"Toy Fox Terrier","value":"Toy Fox Terrier"},{"label":"Transylvanian Hound","value":"Transylvanian Hound"},{"label":"Treeing Tennessee Brindle","value":"Treeing Tennessee Brindle"},{"label":"Treeing Walker Coonhound","value":"Treeing Walker Coonhound"},{"label":"Vizsla","value":"Vizsla"},{"label":"Volpino Italiano","value":"Volpino Italiano"},{"label":"Weimaraner","value":"Weimaraner"},{"label":"Welsh Springer Spaniel","value":"Welsh Springer Spaniel"},{"label":"Welsh Terrier","value":"Welsh Terrier"},{"label":"West Highland White Terrier","value":"West Highland White Terrier"},{"label":"Wetterhoun","value":"Wetterhoun"},{"label":"Whippet","value":"Whippet"},{"label":"Wire Fox Terrier","value":"Wire Fox Terrier"},{"label":"Wirehaired Pointing Griffon","value":"Wirehaired Pointing Griffon"},{"label":"Wirehaired Vizsla","value":"Wirehaired Vizsla"},{"label":"Working Kelpie","value":"Working Kelpie"},{"label":"Xoloitzcuintli","value":"Xoloitzcuintli"},{"label":"Yakutian Laika","value":"Yakutian Laika"},{"label":"Yorkshire Terrier","value":"Yorkshire Terrier"}],"adminAjaxUrl":"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","pupdateSource":"site-sidebar"}}>