Can dogs eat chestnuts?

Sweet chestnuts (Castanea sativa) come in very spiky green cases, usually with two or three nuts inside, each with a pointed tip and a tassel. Horse chestnuts (conkers) come in cases with fewer, blunter spikes and contain a single round, shiny nut. Conkers are toxic to dogs.

When in doubt on a walk, treat any nut as unknown.

Score the shell, then roast or boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Peel off the shell and the thin inner skin, which is bitter. Break the nut into small pieces. Vacuum-packed cooked chestnuts are convenient and already peeled.

Chestnuts have about 200 calories per 100 g, mostly from starch rather than fat.

Half a chestnut is enough for a small dog, and one or two for a large dog. Too many can cause wind and loose stools. Raw chestnuts contain tannins and are hard to digest, so cook them first.

Chestnut purée in tins may be sweetened; check the label and choose unsweetened if you use it.

Chestnut cases are covered in fine, sharp spines that stick into lips, gums, paws and noses. Dogs who pick them up can end up with spines embedded in the mouth. Avoid letting your dog carry or chew them.

Chestnut stuffing contains onion and sausage meat. Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon come with butter and salt. Marrons glacés are candied in sugar. Plain cooked chestnut is the only version to share.