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The autumn is a great time to walk your dog with lots of leaves to run through.

But the Blue Cross pet charity has warned of the danger of conkers and acorns to dogs at this time of year.

Alison Thomas, Head of Veterinary Services at the Blue Cross said: "Many dog owners do not realise that these iconic symbols of autumn can make dogs very sick, in some cases even deadly. Encouraging your dog to play with conkers is dangerous."

The charity say some owners throw conkers for pets to catch without realising that it's dangerous for the dog, because they can easily swallow conkers which can get stuck in their throats and could cause blockages which would need surgery to remove them.

Dogs might also chew and eat conkers or acorns that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Find out more about how to keep your pet safe below.

So what do you do to stop your dog from eating conkers?

Well firstly don't let your dog play fetch with them. Bring out another toy they can play with. Some owners may not realise that throwing conkers could cause them to get stuck in the dogs throat or stomach and cause a block.

The best way to make sure dogs stay safe is to get them trained so they listen to you when you call. This will help you stop your dog from eating anything bad for them.

Alison Thomas said: "Be vigilant on walks to make sure they aren't picking them up or playing with them.

"Keep them on a lead around conkers and acorns if you aren't 100% sure they would come back to you when called", she added.

Most importantly the Blue Cross charity say to call your vet if your pet appears unwell after a walk where they may have been conkers or acorns.

Blue Cross charity said "signs of illness usually show between one and six hours after ingestion, but can be delayed for up to two days."

Some signs of poisoning include:

- Vomiting (being sick)

- Collapse

- Diarrhoea (runny poos)

- Restless with the discomfort and pain

- Loss of appetite

If you think your dog appears unwell after a walk where there may have been conkers or acorns call your vet.