Is Oak Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Quercus species
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Tannins, concentrated in acorns and young leaves/buds |
| Onset of symptoms | A day or two for GI signs; kidney effects can lag further behind |
| 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.
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Symptoms in dogs
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Reduced appetite
- Kidney damage with large/repeated ingestion
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
Symptoms in horses
- Colic
- Diarrhea
- Kidney damage with large ingestion
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What to do
A few acorns is usually a mild concern; a dog with repeated or large-volume access to fallen acorns (common in fall) should be seen by a vet given the cumulative kidney risk.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Oak is tannins, concentrated in acorns and young leaves/buds.
Part-specific risk: Mature leaves have lower tannin content than young leaves, buds, and acorns.
What makes this plant different
Acorns are a classic fall hazard specifically because oak trees drop enormous quantities of them at once, and a dog with repeated yard access during acorn season faces a cumulative kidney risk that a single acorn eaten in isolation wouldn't create.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Quercus species
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Also known as
- Oak
- Typically found
- outdoor
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control