Is Buckeye Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Aesculus spp
Advertisement
Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Aesculin |
| Onset of symptoms | Within a few hours |
| Indoor / outdoor | outdoor |
If your pet ate this plant
Both lines are staffed 24/7. A consultation fee applies to each. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
Advertisement
Symptoms in dogs
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Incoordination
- Tremors
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Incoordination
Advertisement
What to do
Contact a vet, especially if nuts (conkers) were eaten in quantity — these are more concentrated in aesculin than leaves.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Buckeye is aesculin.
What makes this plant different
The nuts (conkers) are considerably more concentrated in aesculin than the leaves, and their appeal as a chew toy for dogs — they're roughly ball-sized and satisfying to gnaw — makes them a more common exposure route than leaf ingestion.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Aesculus spp
- Family
- Hippocastanaceae
- Also known as
- Buckeye, Horse Chestnut
- Typically found
- outdoor
Pet-safe alternatives
Advertisement
Related plants
Alocasia
Alocasia spp.
Aloe
Aloe vera
Amaryllis
Amaryllis spp.
Ambrosia Mexicana
Chenopodium botrys
American Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
See all Hippocastanaceae plants →
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control