September 23, 2025, 1:20 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Chestnuts as toys or ball substitutes for dogs are not a good idea, as the pet might swallow or chew them while playing catch. A veterinarian explains why this is so dangerous.
Autumn is chestnut season. During this time, children especially enjoy playing with the shiny brown balls. However, if dogs frolic in the leaves and use a chestnut as a toy, they might swallow it. In such cases, the animals could face a life-threatening intestinal blockage, warns Tina Hölscher, a veterinarian from Aktion Tier. Additionally, substances contained in chestnuts could also pose a danger to dogs.
Chestnuts Are Especially Dangerous for Young Dogs
Due to their smooth surface, chestnuts easily slide through a dog’s esophagus and into the stomach. However, once there, digestive juices begin to break down the brown outer shell. This causes the chestnut to become rough and, in the worst cases, it doesn’t move further but gets lodged in the animal’s intestines.
Young, playful puppies are particularly at risk, especially if the owner doesn’t notice in the heat of the moment that the dog has swallowed the toy. Initial signs of a blockage include vomiting or lack of bowel movements, and sometimes diarrhea, describes the veterinarian. Later, loss of appetite, apathy, and abdominal pain may occur.
Diagnosing the issue isn’t always easy for veterinarians, especially if the pet owner didn’t notice that a chestnut was eaten, says Hölscher. The problem is that the foreign object presses against the intestinal wall. It then loses blood supply and dies, explains the veterinarian. Dead intestinal parts left inside the dog always lead to the animal’s death. Only emergency surgery, where dead areas and the chestnut are removed, could save the pet.1, 2
Also of interest: 10 Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs
Horse Chestnuts Are Toxic to Dogs
If a dog bites into chestnuts while playing and then swallows them, an intestinal blockage might not occur, but it’s still not advisable. The horse chestnut, which is widespread in Germany, contains substances toxic to dogs. Among other things, so-called saponins could lead to symptoms of poisoning if consumed excessively. Therefore, it’s always better if the dog doesn’t play with chestnuts. If you’re wondering: Can Dogs Eat Edible Chestnuts? – you’ll find the answer in the linked article.
Tip: “To distract the dog and always be able to play with it, owners should carry a ball in the fall. Dogs can also seriously injure themselves on sticks. A splinter in the lip is the least of the problems,” advises Sarah Ross, a pet expert at “Vier Pfoten.”
Additionally, you should be mindful when walking: Do you and your dog walk in a park with many chestnuts? It’s also important that communication between dog and human works reliably. If the pet gets a chestnut between its teeth, it should respond to commands to let go. If you notice symptoms in your dog, it’s better to visit the vet one time too many.3
With material from dpa