Can dogs eat mushrooms? Yes, many varieties of mushrooms are safe and healthy for dogs to eat. Essential nutrients in mushrooms vary depending on the species, including enzymes, niacin, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
When out on a walk, closely supervise dogs as many mushrooms are poisonous to dogs.
Discover which mushrooms are nutritious additions to your dog’s diet and the ones that should be avoided by reading this article.
Are mushrooms OK for dogs?
Mushrooms contain chock-full vitamins and minerals, including folate, magnesium, manganese, and thiamin. These nutrients offer lots of additional nourishment to your furry companion.
Here are some health benefits of mushrooms that dogs can reap:
- Improve and enhance kidney and liver functions.
- Aid in weight loss and reduces cholesterol levels.
- Prevent cancer and heart disease.
- Protect the body from viral diseases.
- Maintain metabolism function and blood sugar levels.
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Assist the body’s healing abilities.
- Improve skin and coat and prevent hair loss.
What types of mushrooms are safe to eat for dogs?
The best picks for your dog are human-grade mushrooms, meaning these are safe for human consumption. Consider choosing organically grown mushrooms sold in grocery stores as these are mostly free from harmful chemicals.
Below are different species of store-bought mushrooms that your dog can eat:
Can dogs eat reishi mushroom? (Ganoderma lucidum)
This mushroom is dubbed as the ‘herb of immortality.’ That’s because it contains polysaccharides, lysosomal enzymes, and triterpenes that can boost your dog’s health.
Can dogs eat shiitake mushrooms? (Lentinula edodes)
It earned the title’ elixir of life’ due to its nutritional content. Shiitake has enzymes, minerals, and acids that can help improve your dog’s body functions.
Can dogs eat portobello mushroom? (Agaricus bisporus)
Portobello is full of various vitamins and minerals. These include different B vitamins such as folate, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, and B6. Copper, lysine, iron, manganese, protein, selenium, and zinc are also found in this mushroom.
Can dogs eat maitake mushrooms? (Grifola frondosa)
It is another variety of medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake and reishi. Maitake also contains polysaccharides that protect your pooch from bacteria and virus infections.
Can dogs eat white button mushrooms? (Agaricus bisporus)
White button has fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. These nutrients help boost your furry friend’s heart function, improve his diet, and keep diseases such as diabetes at bay.
Can dogs eat oyster mushrooms?
Oyster mushrooms can provide a good amount of potassium, magnesium, and folate to dogs. It is low in fat and contains considerable amounts of carbohydrates and protein. This mushroom can give your pooch an extra energy boost without packing pounds.
Can dogs eat enoki mushrooms?
Enoki mushrooms are good for dogs as they are nutrient-dense. They are rich in B vitamins including niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin. Fido can also acquire a healthy dose of fiber from enoki mushrooms.
If you are picking enoki mushrooms growing in the wild, beware as they closely resemble a poisonous mushroom called Galerina marginata. To tell them apart, know that Galerina marginata has a brown cap with a ring on the stalk, while the enoki mushroom does not.
Can dogs eat beech mushrooms?
Yes, beech mushrooms are safe for dogs to eat. These are low in cholesterol but full of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They are a good source of minerals. These include copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Beech mushrooms also contain wonderful antifungal properties, preventing fungal infections and diseases in dogs.
Can dogs eat king trumpet mushrooms?
The king trumpet mushroom offers a wide variety of nutrients to dogs. It is filled with vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, and niacin. Minerals such as potassium, manganese, and calcium can be found in it as well.
This mushroom species also acts as a hypoglycemic agent that can prevent blood glucose spikes in diabetic dogs.
Can dogs eat chantarelle mushrooms?
Yes, chantarelle mushroom is a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. Chantarelle mushroom is packed with vitamin D, riboflavin, and niacin. As it is a low-glycemic food, it is less likely to cause abrupt blood spikes, especially in diabetic dogs.
Chanterelle mushroom has low fat content, but few amounts of protein. Although it may not provide sufficient energy to your dog, it possesses all the essential amino acids that he needs.
Can dogs eat porcino mushrooms?
Porcino mushroom is safe and healthy food for dogs. It has anticancer and antiviral properties that aid your pooch’s immune system. In addition, B-complex vitamins coupled with vitamins A and C are also abundant in this mushroom.
Porcino mushrooms can also provide your furry companion with sufficient amounts of minerals such as iron, potassium, and calcium.
Can dogs eat hedgehog mushrooms?
Dogs can eat hedgehog mushrooms. It is edible and packed with nutrients and minerals. Hedgehog mushroom also contains medicinal properties. These can hinder tumor formation, alleviate inflammation, and slow microbial activity.
Can dogs eat morel mushrooms?
Yes, morel mushrooms are non-toxic and healthy for dogs. Packed with protein and carbohydrates, these mushrooms are great energy boosters. Morel mushrooms also contain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help keep your dog in good shape.
Can dogs eat black trumpet mushrooms?
Black trumpet mushrooms are beneficial to your pooch’s health. They are low in fat, salt, and cholesterol. These mushrooms are also rich in proteins and contain B vitamins, riboflavin, and niacin.
Can dogs have mushrooms if he has a sensitive stomach?
Not all dogs can have mushrooms since some are allergic to them. If you are unsure that your dog has a mushroom allergy, introduce the food to him in small amounts.
Observe if your furry friend develops symptoms such as swelling, hives, itchiness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact your vet if your dog exhibits these signs to get a proper diagnosis.
How many mushrooms can dogs eat?
Feeding your dog about 1–2 pieces of mushrooms will not do any harm; it may even boost his health. But avoid overfeeding him mushrooms as it can result in stomach upset and diarrhea.
Can dogs eat cooked mushrooms?
Cooked mushrooms are safe for dogs. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when preparing mushrooms for your pooch:
1. Mind the ingredients you use.
It is best to serve mushrooms plain. Avoid adding ingredients that can enhance the flavor but are harmful to your dog, such as chives, garlic, onions, and raisins. Excessive ingestion of these ingredients can lead to toxicity.
Butter, oil, sauces, and salt should be avoided as well. While these are not poisonous, they can cause health problems such as pancreatitis, diabetes, and obesity.
2. Slice cooked mushrooms into manageable pieces.
Mushrooms tend to be stout and bulky, which makes them a potential choking hazard. To prevent any accidents, make sure to chop them into small chewable pieces before serving them to your dog.
Some pooches are prone to gorging on their food. This may cause the mushrooms to go on the wrong pipe. Thus, it is best to supervise your furry friend as he eats so that you can assist him in case choking occurs.
Can dogs eat raw mushrooms?
Feeding your dog raw mushrooms is not advised. These can be quite hard to digest, which may cause stomach problems to your dog, such as constipation, diarrhea, or worst, intestinal blockage.
Thus, cook mushrooms first to make it easy for your dog to chew and digest.
Can dogs eat canned mushrooms?
Keep canned mushrooms away from your dog’s meals. These often contain ingredients that negatively impact your furry friend’s health. Artificial preservatives, additives, and salt are some of them. Opt for plain home-cooked mushrooms instead.
Can dogs eat wild mushrooms?
During your walks, your dog may come across wild mushrooms growing along the paths. Always keep him away from them as they can be toxic depending on the species of mushrooms.
Here is a list of the most common wild mushrooms that are poisonous to dogs:
- Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
- Deadly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
- False Morel (Gyromitra spp.)
- Jeweled Death Cap (Amanita gemmata)
- Deadly Galerina (Galerina marginata)
- Inocybe
- Ivory Funnel (Clitocybe dealbata)
What to do if my dog ate a wild mushroom
Unless you are a mushroom expert, distinguishing nonpoisonous mushrooms from toxic ones can be challenging. The best decision to do if you suspect that your dog has eaten a wild mushroom is to take him to the vet immediately.
What are the symptoms of mushroom poisoning?
The signs of mushroom poisoning may vary depending on the type of mushroom your dog ate. However, these are the most common ones exhibited by dogs:
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Staggering gait
- Jaundice
- Seizures
Without immediate medical care, mushroom poisoning can lead to coma and death. So, do not hesitate to bring your dog to the vet if you think he ingested a wild mushroom. If you can, provide the vet with a sample of mushrooms your dog has eaten. This will help them assess what type of supportive care he needs.
What is the treatment for mushroom poisoning in dogs?
The treatment will depend on how recent the mushroom was ingested, what type it was, and the symptoms. In general, the vet will perform the following:
- Induce vomiting to get rid of the toxins
- Use IV fluids to assist in flushing out toxins.
- Administer drugs to counteract the toxins.
- Monitor your dog’s blood circulation to ensure that there are no abnormalities.
How to prevent mushroom poisoning in dogs
Mushroom toxicity is highly distressing to both pawrents and furry companions. Therefore, it should be prevented at all costs. Here are some tips that you can follow to protect your dog:
- Regularly check your backyard or garden for any wild mushrooms and weed them all out.
- Never leave your dog unsupervised outside. Make sure that he is on a lead during hikes and walks.
- Teach him the ‘leave it’ command to prevent him from eating random things he finds on the road.
