Your fuzzy pup surely deserves the best care in the world, as well as the most delicious and diversified treats. But some treats may not be entirely healthy for your furry pet. This is why you should always look up information to new ingredients you wish to introduce into your pup’s diet. You may love mushrooms and are wondering if mushrooms are safe for your dog to enjoy as well. Can dogs eat mushrooms?
Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? How Much?
Mushrooms are one of the most controversial treats for dogs. Yes, your furry buddy may enjoy a mushroom snack once in a while. However, wild mushrooms are not recommended. When it comes to mushroom snacks, the first thing you should do is make sure they’re not wild, possibly poisonous ones. For instance, if you normally walk your dog in an area where there might be poisonous mushrooms, make sure he doesn’t start eating them. If your furry pet loves to explore the natural surroundings, keep an eye out for possible poisonous mushrooms.
Mushrooms are approved snacks for your pup as long as they’re bought from the store and you’re sure they’re safe. Thus, if you have some leftover mushrooms, they’re definitely fine for your pup to enjoy, as long as they’re not seasoned too salty or spicy. And always stick to the same rule when it comes to treats – moderation is the key.
Mushroom Treats – Healthy for Dogs
It might be easier for you to occasionally provide your pet with table scraps as behavioral snacks. These may come in handy when you’re running out of treats especially created for dogs. Not only are mushrooms okay for your dog to have, but they’re also healthy snacks. Their richness in vitamins and minerals, as well as the low caloric intake, make them healthy occasional snacks your pet’s health will immensely benefit from.
Mushrooms are rich in powerful, natural antioxidants, as well as essential nutrients needed to assure your pet’s overall health. They contain high levels of vitamin D, and aim at significantly improving your dog’s immunity. Mushrooms also contain iron which may help dogs who have anemia. These are positive health benefits mushroom treats incorporate.
Mushrooms don’t contain sugar so it’s a good snack for dogs that are overweight or suffer from diabetes. Mushrooms, generally, are good for canines but they also have some drawbacks.
Mushrooms’ Possible Side Effects
If you’re thinking of letting your dog have a couple of mushroom snacks, that’s perfectly fine. Nonetheless, at first, you should closely monitor your dog’s behavior to the new food. Common side effects mushrooms have on dogs are gastrointestinal issues or diarrhea.
Start with small quantities when introducing new foods to your pet. It’s not uncommon for dogs to have allergic reactions to mushrooms. Thus, pay attention to any possible negative reaction, and if you notice any, you should consider taking your canine friend to the vet, to make sure he is safe and healthy.
Some varieties of mushrooms are quite dangerous to dogs and humans as well. These are mostly the ones that are poisonous. If your dog eats any of the poisonous mushrooms, they can pose a quite serious health risks to your pooch, even death.
Many researches have shown that certain varieties of wild mushrooms contain high levels of heavy metals and harmful chemicals. You have to be really careful not to have your dog eat any of the toxic mushrooms.
Also, make sure if you feed your dog good, edible mushrooms bought from a supermarket only in moderation. You need to make sure that your canine buddy is not allergic to fungi. If you don’t see any unusual behavior of digestive issues, you can continue feeding mushrooms to your pooch. Still, begin with caution. Mushrooms are known to cause gas. If you give your pooch too many mushrooms in one sitting, they will cause stomach problems and bloating.
There are so many different types of mushrooms which makes them difficult to identify. Many poisonous mushrooms can look like edible mushrooms. It can be confusing, especially in the wild, when there are two almost identical mushrooms growing next to each other.
If you have taken a walk in the woods with your pooch and he accidentally has eaten a poisonous mushroom, watch out for these symptoms:
- Tear production, excessive salivation and upset stomach
Your pooch’s pupils may become small and heart rate can slow down. Usually, these symptoms will happen withing 6 hours after eating toxic mushrooms. You should take your dog to the vet immediately.
- Irritation of the gastrointestinal system
Generally your pooch will experience diarrhea and vomiting which will happen withing first 6 hours. These are the most common symptoms, usually pass within 24 hours, and most likely are not fatal.
- Tear production, excessive salivation, upset stomach, lethargy and depression.
This is a serious state and usually will lead to vomiting and painful abdominal discomfort. In this state, seizures may happen and your pet’s liver may be affected. Moreover, your pooch’s eyes may turn yellow.
You should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible when these above mentioned symptoms are present. These symptoms usually start from 6 hours to up to 24 hours after consumption of poisonous mushrooms.
The most common mushroom to cause this is the Death Cap Mushroom (Amanita Phalloides.)
- Hallucinogenic syndrome
Hallucinations are usually caused by Magic Mushrooms. These mushrooms are considered drugs in most places.
If your dog has accidentally eaten Magic Mushrooms, he will show symptoms such as restlessness, depression, and unsteady walk. He may also seem to be wanting to catch “imaginary flies”. Additionally, your dog may experience seizures, tremors, and coma. If your dog possesses any of these symptoms, you should take your pet to the nearest veterinarian immediately.
To avoid any of these dangerous symptoms, it’s recommended to feed your dog only deli or supermarket bought mushrooms. You can find many varieties of mushrooms at your local grocery store that are safe for you and your companion.
Here is a video of the dog who ate wild mushrooms:
How To Prepare Mushrooms For Your Pooch
Here are tips on how to prepare edible, store bought mushrooms (porcini, cremini, portobello, white button, and oyster) for your dog.
The most beneficial mushrooms you can feed to your dog are shiitake, reishi and maitake mushrooms. If you make any of these mushrooms for your dog, make sure not to feed him large quantities of mushrooms at once. One or two mushrooms are fine, depending on the size of your dog. Large amounts of mushrooms eaten in one sitting will cause your dog gastrointestinal discomfort.
You can give your pooch raw or cooked mushrooms. Make sure not to feed your dog mushrooms that are cooked with onions or garlic which are toxic to dogs. Additionally, don’t add any extra salt to your mushrooms since salt is not good for dogs either and in large amounts can cause serious health issues.
When you cook your mushrooms thoroughly, it will kill the compounds that may cause digestive irritation. However, feeding raw fungi may lead to increased gas.
It’s best to cook your mushrooms thoroughly and cut them into small pieces. You can even add some other vegetables to your dish (peas or pumpkin) and your dog will surely like it. What’s best, it’s healthy too.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Accidentally Eaten Wild Mushrooms
If the hazardous incident did happen and your pup stumbled across poisonous mushrooms in your yard or during its regular walk in the woods, the first thing you should do is urgently take it to the vet.
if you witnessed your dog to eat a poisonous mushroom, don’t wait for the symptoms to appear. The symptoms may take up to 6 hours to appear. Call your vet for a consult if you are unable to take your pet to the emergency right away. However, it’s best to take your dog to the emergency vet as soon as possible. The faster you act, the better chances your dog has to get better.
It’s also advisable to take a piece of that mushroom with you so your veterinarian can examine it. Wrap it in a paper towel and place the mushroom in a paper bag which will help it to stay fresh and dry. Make sure you keep the paper bag away from your dog. We wouldn’t want your furry friend to eat any more of this poisonous mushroom. Keep the mushroom in the refrigerator until you are ready to go to the vet. If you don’t have any paper towels/bags, place the mushroom in a cloth or cup, whatever you can find. Just don’t let your pooch to eat it.
If your dog eats some sort of less-toxic mushrooms, he will suffer from intense vomiting and possibly diarrhea. However, there are another range of mushrooms which are much more incredibly poisonous for dogs, causing serious neurological problems, determining the occurrence of tremors, seizures and possibly even death.
In certain parts of the country, the danger of poisonous mushrooms is increased. This is why you should pay attention to this aspect and closely watch your pup when it’s time for your daily evening outing. Don’t underestimate the severity of mushroom poisoning.
If you think your dog has eaten some poisonous mushrooms and you see symptoms of lethargy, vomiting, drooling, achy stomach, constricted pupils, and slow heart rate; take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
The good news is that for the 10,000 types of mushrooms known worldwide, only 50-100 are known to be toxic.
Mushrooms that Can Poison Your Furry Pet
- Amanita Muscaria (Fly Agaric) – this poisonous mushroom is among the most popular types, and it’s also quite easy to recognize. It has a bright red cap, as well as tiny white spots on it. It may be found in North America and throughout Europe as well.
- Amanita Gemmata (Jeweled Death Cap) – this type of mushroom presents a yellowish cap, with tiny white spots on it. Also, it spreads throughout North America and Europe and is deadly in certain circumstances.
- Amanita Phalloides (Death Cap) – this is among the most dangerous poisonous mushrooms. Only half of a regular-sized, green-colored mushroom can present fatal consequences on an adult’s health, thus making it even more threatening for pets to consume. It causes severe gastrointestinal problems and even liver failure.
- Galerina Marginita (Autumn Galerina) – they normally grow on decayed wood after a lot of rain. Thus, they may appear in your yard as well. Their brown color makes them hard to identify. They’re really harmful for your pet’s health in a lot of ways.
Can Dogs Be Allergic To Mushrooms?
It’s rare but yes some dogs may be allergic to mushrooms.
It’s best to give your dog a little piece of mushroom and then observe your pooch for 24 hours. If your dog doesn’t show any unusual behavior or digestive issues, you can continue giving him mushrooms. Just remember to give mushrooms in moderate amounts only and as treats. Mushrooms shouldn’t be a staple food in your dog’s diet. Once in a while and in small quantities is fine.
Can Puppies Eat Mushrooms?
Yes, puppies can eat grocery store purchased mushrooms. Just make sure not to give them too many. Puppy’s digestive system is more delicate so monitor your pup when introducing mushrooms into his diet. Start gradually with a small piece and observe your pooch in 24 hours.
Don’t feed your puppy more that 1-2 mushrooms at one sitting. Cook it thoroughly and cut it into small slices. Mushrooms also provide great nutritional value for your puppy and are low in calories.
Conclusion
Coming back to the original question, yes dogs can eat mushrooms. However, it’s recommended to only feed your dogs store bought mushrooms. Stay away from wild mushrooms, unless you absolutely are sure what type of mushroom it is. Since mushrooms are tricky to identify and many look the same, it’s safest to leave the wild mushrooms alone.
Like with any new foods, start out feeding your dog mushrooms gradually and in small amounts. Monitor your dog for any suspicious behavior, digestive discomfort, and loose stools. If your dog didn’t show any of these symptoms after eating mushrooms, you can continue feeding them to your pooch. One or two mushrooms once in a while should be fine feeding to your dog. Slice them up for better digestion.
When feeding mushrooms to your pup, make sure you don’t use any spices, butter, onions, and garlic. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs in large quantities. The simpler the better, plain cooked mushrooms are best for dogs.
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References:
http://www.askavetquestion.com/toxicfoods.php
http://canigivemydog.com/mushrooms
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-common-mushrooms-that-can-poison-your-pet
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