Dog owners issued warning over conkers as they could cause poisoning and even death in pets

Dog owners are being warned that conkers can be incredibly dangerous for their pets and could even cause death.

The warning comes from experts at Kennel Store, who have outlined the dangers of conkers and symptoms of conker poisoning. They have also explained when you should be contacting a vet.

Andy Jones, director of Kennel Store, said: "A conker is a shiny, round, red-brown seed from a horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum). These trees are typically found in parks, gardens and along the pavements in the UK. Conkers are often found on the ground in autumn after dropping from the tree encased in a green or brown spiky fruit.

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"Conkers are poisonous to dogs because they contain a toxin called aesculin, which can cause vomiting and upset stomachs in dogs. If enough are eaten, the effects can be serious and in rare cases deadly."

He said signs of conker poisoning usually appear within 1-6 hours of ingestion, but can be delayed by up to a few days. Symptoms include:

• Vomiting, which may contain blood

• Diarrhoea

• Drooling

• Abdominal pain

• Increased thirst

• Refusing food

• Not walking in a straight line

• Restlessness

• Wobbliness

• Muscle tremors

• Struggling to move

"The severity of symptoms depends on the amount of conkers eaten and the size of your dog," Mr Jones added. "If left untreated, conker poisoning can lead to toxic shock, respiratory paralysis and even death, so treatment is vital and could save your dog's life.

"If you think your dog has eaten conkers, you should contact your vet for advice. If you’re unsure if your dog has consumed them but they are showing signs of poisoning, you should speak to your vet. Note the time and how many conkers you suspect your dog to have eaten. Never attempt to make your dog sick as this can be dangerous and cause other issues."