Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?

When you are making soup, a salad or even gravy, a lot of us like to add mushrooms to the dish.

There are so many different kinds of mushrooms available today from your simple store-bought mushrooms to shitake mushrooms.

When you’re cooking or even growing mushrooms in your back yard and your dog decides to nibble on a mushroom, you’re probably wondering (as we all do) if it’s OK for your dog to eat mushrooms.

Unfortunately, the answer is not as straightforward as it should be.  It really depends on the actual type of the mushroom consumed.

Are Mushrooms Bad for Dogs?

While there are thousands of different mushrooms, only about 100 varieties are toxic to dogs while the others are safe for dogs to sample.

Because there are so many different types of mushrooms, it can be difficult to distinguish which mushrooms are safe and not safe.

Generally speaking, store bought mushrooms such as Portabella mushrooms are safe for dogs to eat in small amounts.

Of course, if you are going to feed your dogs any mushrooms at all, make sure they are plain and without any seasoning, spices or sauces.

Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance

Which Mushrooms Are Toxic For Dogs?

Most veterinarians will agree that wild mushrooms of any strain or variety are unsafe and can be very toxic for dogs.

If you see your dog eat a mushroom right out of the grass or sprouting up from a sidewalk, those mushrooms are definitely toxic and you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

While all types of wild mushrooms aren’t necessarily toxic, it is always best to be on the safe side and keep your dogs’ away from any wild mushrooms.

Have dogs?  No wild mushrooms!

If you’re growing mushrooms in your backyard, make sure they are secured in a fence or area where your dog doesn’t have any type of access.

If you think your dog ate a wild mushroom or one from your garden, you should call your vet immediately.

The Symptoms of Mushroom Toxicity in Dogs

If you are uncertain if your dog ate a mushroom, there are some symptoms to watch out for.

The different symptoms that might occur with mushroom poisoning really depend on the type of mushroom that was eaten.

Each mushroom has a different type of toxin which can cause different reactions in dogs.

However, if your dog has any of the below symptoms, you should your dog to the vet or even emergency room immediately:

• Lethargy
• Salivating
• Staggering
• Seizures
• Liver failure
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain

If your dog has a reaction to mushrooms, having pet insurance will certainly be a huge relief. Of course, you want your dog to get the best care possible and wouldn’t hesitate about the cost. With a provider like Healthy Paws, that cost will be much lower.

Fetch Rates with Healthy Paws!

Treatment For Mushroom Toxicity

The treatment for mushroom poisoning also depends on the type of mushroom your dog consumes and how recently your dog ate the mushroom.

If it is possible, perhaps, to get a sample of the type of mushroom that was eaten by your dog, it can be helpful to your veterinarian to know the best way to help your pup with that particular toxin.

The usual treatment would be to get your dog to throw up if the mushroom was eaten recently.

Or your vet might give your dog medication to help counteract the mushroom toxin.

If the toxin is very serious, your dog might even be in a heavy sleep and will need to be monitored until your dog is awake.

Your dog might even have an allergic reaction to mushroom which isn’t as serious, but should

Allergic Reactions to Mushrooms can cause:

• Hives
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Swelling on your dog’s body
• Coughing

How To Keep Your Dogs Away From Mushrooms

If you grow a variety of mushrooms at home, the best thing you can do is keep the garden covered or blocked where the mushrooms are growing.

If you have the wild mushrooms at home, make sure that your dog can’t reach them either while you’re cooking or if you throw them away in the trash.

Other Safe Fruit & Vegetable Options for Dogs

There are many other safe fruit and vegetable choices for dogs:

• Apples
• Broccoli
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Lettuce
• Mangos
• Watermelon (without the seeds)

Grapes and raisins and avocados are very toxic to dogs, like mushrooms, and should be watched.

Pet Insurance For Mushroom Toxicity

If your dog happens to eat a wild mushroom, the best thing you can do is get to the vet immediately.  Timing is everything with getting the treatment right away.

And as these things happen, it will probably be at night when your vet is closed and you will need to get the nearest animal hospital for treatment.

But when you do get the final vet bill and it won’t be pretty, you will once again be so happy that you have a good pet insurance policy that will cover the treatment and all the bills associated with this horrible experience.

The best pet insurance companies such as Healthy Paws, Embrace and Pets Best will cover anywhere from 70% to 90% of your total bill (depending on the plan you choose) which will save you a lot of money and worry!

Be Careful When Feeding Your Dog Mushrooms

As the saying goes, “better safe than sorry” and the same goes for mushrooms.

If your dog happens to eat a mushroom that you just brought home from the store, then a bite or two should not cause you to panic and your dog should be fine.

But, if you grow mushrooms in the garden or bought some wild ones at a farmers market and you’re not sure of the origin, keep those mushrooms away from your dog.

Mushrooms really don’t add any nutrients to your dog’s diet, so the best thing you can do is keep mushrooms out of your dog’s diet.  It’s that simple!

There are many other fruits, vegetables and other food items that are safe to share with your dog and our ultimate safe food guide can give you some tips.

Other articles you may find helpful: 

 

Is Exotic Pet Insurance Necessary? 

The Best Pet Insurance By State 

What Is Pet Insurance?

Fun Facts, Dog FAQ, And Unsolicited Dog Advice

5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Foods for Dogs

Dog Health Problems

Dog Breeds

CAT FAQ

Cat Health Problems

Cat Breeds

 

Finding safe alternative foods for your dogs to eat can be tricky. We have a long list of articles about every food you could possibly consider feeding your dog. One thing we recommend is that you consider looking into pet insurance for your pet and you can start by checking out the best rates for dog and puppy insurance. 

 

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