Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Ohio Buckeye - what should I do?
Aesculus glabra
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, muscle weakness, and potential neurological signs like tremors or ataxia.
Escalation note
The seeds are particularly dangerous to dogs. Seek immediate veterinary care if ingestion is observed or suspected.
First aid at home
Remove any remaining plant material from your dog's mouth and surroundings, then call ASPCA Poison Control or your vet before doing anything else. Do not try to induce vomiting at home — Pet Poison Helpline lists unsupervised home emesis as one of the most common pet-poisoning first-aid mistakes.
What to watch for
Severe vomiting and diarrhea are typically first. Dogs may also show depression or, paradoxically, excitement, along with weakness, an unsteady gait, and dilated pupils. At higher doses, seizures and coma have been reported.
Time window
Exact onset isn't well documented in the ASPCA listing; vomiting and diarrhea are usually the first clue, with neurologic signs developing as the saponin dose builds.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) any time you see vomiting, neurologic signs (wobbliness, tremors, dilated pupils), or you suspect your dog chewed seeds. Chewed buckeyes warrant a same-day call even if your dog still seems fine.
What this means for your dog
Dogs that chew buckeye seeds, leaves, or bark can become seriously sick. The aesculin and other saponins in this tree act as both gastrointestinal irritants and central-nervous-system depressants, with the seeds (the "buckeyes" themselves) carrying the highest concentration.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.