Can dogs eat mushrooms? Everything you need to know

Can dogs eat mushrooms?

Dogs should not eat wild mushrooms. Australia is home to a huge variety of mushroom species, of which a small number are known to be poisonous. Because reliable identification is difficult, all wild mushrooms should be regarded as potentially toxic.

The Animal Poisons Helpline reported the cases of two dogs that became critically ill after ingesting highly toxic wild mushrooms. Sadly, one of the dogs had to be euthanised because of the severe effects of the toxins that were released from the mushrooms.

These cases highlight the importance of being hyper-vigilant whenever your pets have access to or are being walked in areas where mushrooms may be growing. Be sure to remove any mushrooms that pop up in your backyard before your pet has a chance to eat them and keep your dogs on a leash when walking them in places where mushrooms grow in the wild.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Be vigilant after periods of rain as mushrooms are most commonly noted in gardens and in bushland areas at this time.

Are mushrooms safe for dogs?

Wild mushrooms are not safe for dogs. This is because there is a chance that your dog could suffer poisoning from eating certain types of wild mushrooms.

Store-bought, farmed mushrooms that are safe for humans are for dogs, when eaten in small amounts. These include:

• White button
• Shiitake
• Oyster
• Portobello
• Champignon

Don’t panic if your dog gobbles up a slice of one of these mushrooms that you’ve accidently dropped on the floor.

However, dogs do not need mushrooms in their diet, so when in doubt, it may be best to avoid feeding your dog mushrooms, including any leftovers that contain them, to reduce the chance of causing a tummy upset.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Raw mushrooms are harder to digest, so cooked is preferable if feeding store-bought mushrooms.

Can mushrooms kill a dog?

Eating certain types of mushrooms can be life-threatening for dogs, even in small amounts. Mushrooms such as Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the ‘death cap’, can result in death after the ingestion of just a tiny portion.

Because most people are unable to distinguish between different species of wild mushroom, all ingestions of wild mushrooms should be treated extremely seriously.

If you regularly have mushrooms popping up in your yard, the Animal Poisons Helpline offers a mushroom identification service. Once a mushroom has been identified, the Animal Poisons Advisors can let you know if the mushroom is a danger to your pet, anticipated effects and what next steps you should take.

Signs of mushroom ingestion

Mushroom ingestion can cause no symptoms, gastrointestinal signs, or a range of other symptoms within 30 minutes to 24 hours after ingestion, depending on the type of mushroom and toxin involved.

Poisonous wild mushrooms can cause:

• Vomiting and/or nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain / cramps
• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Seizures
• Liver/ kidney failure
• Death

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Sadly, the toxic effects of some mushrooms are irreversible and can cause severe liver damage. Treatment once toxicity has occurred is mostly supportive and involves hospitalisation while monitoring liver parameters.

The risks of dogs eating mushrooms

Ingestion of toxic mushrooms can cause a range of health issues, including digestive upset, liver damage, neurological symptoms, and even death.

Clinical signs can be delayed several hours or even days after ingestion. In many cases there is no specific antidote, and treatment is focused on minimising the absorption of the toxins and managing any complications that may arise.

To ensure your dog’s safety, it’s best to avoid wild mushrooms altogether unless you’re an expert in mushroom identification. If you’re ever unsure about whether a particular mushroom is safe, it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep your dog well away.

What to do if your dog eats mushroom (wild or unknown type)

• Immediately contact the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 for advice.
• Consider also immediately contacting your vet clinic or nearest emergency vet clinic as prompt induction of vomiting can prevent the mushroom from being digested or absorbed, reducing toxic effects.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

If there is a chance of a toxin being ingested recently, inducing vomiting is an effective way to de-contaminate and reduce the amount of toxin moving through the gastrointestinal system.

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