Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? You might be wondering about this if you spotted your dog chewing on some mushrooms in the backyard, or discovering that they have become a fan of sharing healthy human snacks with your best friend. Humans can also safely have some mushrooms, so it’s not too surprising that they are okay to give to your pet dog either.
As there is a huge selection of mushrooms, it is impossible to say whether or not they are safe for dogs to eat. Some species may be beneficial for the health of your dog, similar to how humans can also benefit. However, there are also other species that can be toxic and as such should not be eaten by pets.
There are certain items in the human food category that should not be given to your dog. To make sure you don’t risk any health issues, make sure you seek advice from your vet before you give your dog anything from that category, including mushrooms.
When Are Mushrooms Safe For Dogs To Eat ?
If you’re not a mycologist (biologist who studies mushrooms) then it’s best to buy store bought mushrooms for your dog. Yes, foragers can find mushrooms for their dogs but not all of the ‘safe’ type of mushrooms out there are good for dogs.
You could give your pup a couple of mushrooms as long as your vet approves. You need to be careful that you don’t mix the mushrooms with any other ingredients, which could be harmful to the animal.
Plain mushrooms provide your dog with invaluable nutrients like B vitamins and minerals like potassium.
When Are Mushrooms Unsafe For Dogs?
The presence of mushrooms in your backyard can lead to the well-intentioned pet owner taking drastic measures. If you think your dog has eaten mushrooms, you should contact their vet as soon as possible.
Collecting the remaining mushrooms your dog ate will help the vet make a decision about what to do next.
Depending on the mushroom your dog ate, they may experience a variety of different symptoms that are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation
- Neurological issues
- Jaundice
Some of the symptoms your dog could exhibit with mushroom poisoning include; vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and lack of appetite. Without serious treatment, this could become life-threatening or even deadly. Don’t forget to call the vet right away!
North Americans tend to have the most issues with mushroom poisoning. It’s mostly due to ingestion of poisonous Amanita mushrooms. Other regions say it’s mainly from other types of poisonous mushrooms.
Did your dog ever eat a toxic mushroom before? Did you find out if they were suffering from severe symptoms after that? Let us know in the comments below!
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