Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?

Plain, store-bought mushrooms are generally safe for dogs in small amounts, but wild mushrooms can be deadly. Some poisonous ones look just like harmless ones. If your dog eats a mushroom from the yard or on a walk, treat it as an emergency and call a vet.

Are wild mushrooms dangerous for dogs?

Yes. Pet Poison Helpline says there are more than 100 poisonous mushrooms in North America. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that dogs are at higher risk because they eat all sorts of things and like to roam.

You can’t count on telling the good ones from the bad ones. The Merck Veterinary Manual says even trained experts can find it hard to identify a mushroom by sight, especially once it has been chewed. Pet Poison Helpline’s advice is to assume every wild mushroom is harmful to your dog.

What makes wild mushrooms so dangerous?

Different mushrooms carry different poisons. Two groups that Pet Poison Helpline points out:

• Cyclopeptides. These cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can turn into liver and kidney failure. Pet Poison Helpline says the chance of survival is slim with this type.
• Hydrazines. These can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and liver damage within hours.

The AKC names several types that cause the most trouble, including the death cap (Amanita phalloides), Galerina marginata, the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), and the false morel (Gyromitra).

Timing matters too. The Merck Veterinary Manual says mushrooms that make a dog sick within about 3 hours tend to be less life-threatening. Those that take more than 6 hours to show effects are often the deadly ones. That means a dog who seems fine after eating a mushroom is not necessarily safe.

Signs of mushroom poisoning in dogs

The AKC lists these signs:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Drooling
• Weakness and tiredness
• Wobbly walking
• Seizures
• Yellow gums or skin (jaundice), a sign of liver trouble

Call a vet if you see any of these, even if you did not see your dog eat a mushroom.

What to do if your dog ate a wild mushroom

1. Call a vet or a poison hotline right away. Don’t wait for signs.
2. Take a sample of the mushroom, if you can do it safely, so it can be identified.
3. Don’t make your dog vomit yourself.
4. Go where the vet tells you. The Merck Veterinary Manual says there is no proven antidote for mushroom poisoning. Treatment focuses on getting the poison out and giving strong supportive care.

Can dogs eat store-bought mushrooms?

Plain ones, yes. The AKC says store-bought types such as portobello are generally safe for dogs. The AKC also points out that dogs don’t need mushrooms in their diet, and that mushroom dishes are usually cooked with things that can hurt dogs.

If you do share a bite, keep it simple. A small piece of a plain mushroom is the most you should offer.

Mushrooms cooked with butter, garlic, or onions

No. The AKC warns that oils, butter, seasonings, garlic, and onions can all be harmful to dogs. That makes sauteed mushrooms, mushroom pizza, and most restaurant dishes a bad choice. For more on risky ingredients, see our guide to foods that are toxic to dogs.

How to keep your dog away from wild mushrooms

• Check your yard each day, especially after rain, and remove any mushrooms you find. Wear gloves.
• Keep your dog on a leash in wooded or damp areas.
• Teach “leave it” and reward your dog for ignoring things on the ground.
• Watch your dog closely while outdoors, as Pet Poison Helpline advises.

Safer treats to try instead

The AKC suggests simple swaps, like a carrot stick or a slice of apple. See our guide on whether dogs can eat apples. Treats of any kind should stay under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.