What to do if your pet ate it
Contact your vet or a poison line right away, report how much acorns was eaten and your pet's weight, and keep any packaging or leftovers. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Severe: tremors, breathing trouble, collapse
If your pet shows vomiting, lethargy or any unusual behaviour after eating acorns, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.
Other foods that are toxic or dangerous
The full A–Z food list groups every food by verdict for each species.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat acorns?
NO — do not feed. Contain tannins and gallotannins, which can cause severe kidney damage and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The hard shell also poses a choking or obstruction risk.
What if my cat already ate acorns?
Call your vet or a poison line now with the amount of acorns eaten and your cat's weight, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. If acorns was eaten and you then see vomiting, lethargy, tremors or breathing changes, go straight to the nearest emergency clinic.
Is there a safe amount of acorns for cats?
There is no accepted safe dose of acorns for cats; it is classed as toxic or dangerous, and reactions vary with the individual animal, so it is not something to feed at any amount.
How often can cats have acorns?
acorns is not something to feed at any interval; it stays off the menu entirely.
What are safer treats than acorns for cats?
Pick from the safe list instead — Cod or Haddock carry none of the risk that acorns does, and they work better as an everyday treat.