Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?

Depending on the time of year, mushrooms of all shapes and colors may sprout on your walking route and inspire a curious chomp from your dog. You're bound to think "should dogs eat mushrooms?"

This bacon-flavored mushroom supplement has helped thousands of dogs improve their daily health & wellness.

Or, maybe you enjoy raw mushrooms in your diet and want to see if they're safe for your pup. In either case, it's important for you to know what you're dealing with when it comes to your dog's health. 

 Read on for evidence-based information on:

• Mushrooms that are beneficial for dogs.
• Which mushrooms dogs can eat.
• Mushrooms that are toxic for dogs.
• What to look for if your dog eats a wild mushroom. 

Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?

Yes, dogs can eat many mushrooms raw or cooked. Mushrooms are an excellent dietary option for dogs because they contain vitamin B, vitamin D, antioxidants, beta-glucans, dietary fiber, and more. 

Which Mushrooms Are Good For Dogs?

Similar to people, some mushrooms are safe for dogs, while others are deadly. Fortunately, store-bought mushrooms safe for us are also generally safe for pets. 

Remember, your dog could still be allergic to specific mushrooms even if they are edible. The ingredients we add when cooking mushrooms (oil, garlic, onions, etc.) can also be toxic or cause stomach upset in dogs.

1. Maitake Mushrooms for Dogs

Maitake mushrooms are safe for dogs in appropriate amounts, and may have the following benefits:

• Immune System Support
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties
• Blood Sugar Regulation
• Cardiovascular Support

Maitake mushrooms are also rich in immune-supporting beta-glucans and nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin B2, potassium, copper, selenium, and dietary fiber. 

Maitake for Dogs Information

2. Lion's Mane Mushrooms for Dogs

Lion's mane mushrooms are believed to have a number of potential benefits for dogs, including:

• Immune System Support
• Cognitive Function Support
• Cardiovascular Support
• Anti-bacterial Properties
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties
• Gut Health Improvements
• Mental Health Improvements

Lion's mane may be able to help dogs with a number of potential issues, but most if all it could serve as a neuroprotective and immunoprotective supplement for our furry friends.

 Lion's Mane for Dogs Information

 3. Reishi Mushrooms for Dogs

Reishi may be one of the most powerful and beneficial mushrooms for dogs. Rich in beta glucans and other beneficial compounds, Reishi mushrooms are believed to help dogs in the following areas:

• Inflammatory Support
• Mobility Support
• Cognitive Support
• Mood Improvement
• Detoxifcation
• Liver Support
• More

Reishi could be an excellent choice for a daily supplement for dogs as it can boost overall strength and wellness, potentially warding off health issues down the line. 

4. Turkey Tail Mushrooms for Dogs

Turkey tail is a powerful blend of health-supporting compounds that could make a significant improvement in overall canine health. The primary health benefits that turkey tail mushrooms offer for dogs are:

• Immune System Support
• Digestive Health Aid
• Antioxidant Properties
• Liver Support
• Energy Boost
• Skin & Coat Health Support
• Cardiovascular Health Support

Again, turkey tail is packed with excellent compounds that could help your dog boost its immune health and live an overall healthier life. 

 The Best Mushroom Product for Dogs

Our choice for mushroom for dogs is Lolahemp Immunity Mushroom Chews. This natural wellness solution includes all an exceptional blend of dog-safe mushrooms for dogs designed to boost immunity and overall health. 

Plus, they're bacon flavored so your dog will absolutely love them.

Lolahemp Immunity Mushroom Chews

Lolahemp Immunity Mushroom Chews include reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, lion's mane, and maitake mushrooms for a super-charged natural health boost in dogs.

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Now, let's take a look at the flip side of things. There are mushrooms out there that dogs should not eat, and it's important that you know what the key ones are. 

7 Common Mushrooms Toxic to Dogs 

You may have heard that dogs can smell toxic mushrooms and will not eat them. This statement is a myth – dogs cannot tell the difference between safe mushrooms and poisonous ones. 

What's worse is that some poisonous mushrooms, like the "death cap" Amanita phalloides, emit a fishy smell that dogs find appealing. It's up to you to keep your dog safe.

Unsafe mushrooms likely cause more sickness in dogs than we realize. We may not notice if our pup quickly eats a small mushroom on a walk, or we might not see that mushrooms sprouted in the backyard overnight.

Toxic mushrooms make up a relatively small number of those 14,000 mushroom species. Unfortunately, the poisonous ones are extremely poisonous. 

Dogs can die after eating even a small amount of the wrong kind of mushroom (2). Call the 24-hour ASPCA Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline for expert advice if your dog eats a wild mushroom. 

1. Amanita Phalloides (Death Cap Mushroom)

Amanita Phalloides is typically greenish or yellowish with a white stem and white gills. If your dog eats a death cap mushroom it could severely damage their liver or kidney, causing them to vomit, have diarrhea, suffer abdominal pain, or worse. If your pet isn't treated immediately, death can occur after a few days. 

Symptoms your dog could experience after eating death cap mushrooms include gastrointestinal upset, jaundice (the whites of your dog's eyes may turn yellowish), liver damage, seizures, sluggishness.

If you think your dog is showing these symptoms, or they may have eaten a death cap mushroom, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

2. Amanita Muscaria (Fly Agaric)

Amanita Muscaria is very recognizable due to its bright red cap and white spots. It is the traditional mushroom depicted in fairy tails. 

Fly Agaric mushrooms are hallucinogenic and severe confusion, gastrointestinal upset, tremors, lack of coordination, and even seizures. 

Amanita Muscaria mushrooms can kill dogs - they contain strong toxins that can cause liver failure and death in severe cases. 

Early Signs of Amanita Muscaria Toxicity in Dogs

Signs of fly agaric poisoning can occur within the first couple hours after your dog has eaten it, but those symptoms may also show up later on (within the first 12 hours). 

Symptoms to look for diarrhea, excessive salivation, the presence of tears, vomiting, signs of pain, trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, and more. 

If you see these symptoms or you suspect your dog has eaten an Amanita Muscaria, seek veterinary help immediately. 

3. Galerina Marginata (Deadly Galerina)

The Deadly Galerina mushroom is a small, brown mushroom with a clear ring surrounding the stem. If your dog eats this mushroom, it could cause liver nd kidney failure leading to vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Symptoms tend to begin within the first few hours after a dog eats the Galerina Marginata. Death is unlikely, but it is a real possibility as a result of kidney or liver failure. 

If your dog eats a Deadly Galerina mushroom, contact a veterinarian immediately.

4. Cortinarius Speciosissimus (Deadly Webcap)

The Deadly Webcap mushroom is rust-colored, or sometimes orange or brown with a web pattern on the cap. 

Cortinarius Speciosissimus, like most other toxic mushrooms to dogs, can cause severe kidney damage. Look for symptoms like vomiting, exhaustion, diarrhea, and signs of abdominal pain. 

Be Alert for Toxic Mushrooms in September & October 

The most mushrooms grow during September & October, so it follows that there are also more potentially harmful mushrooms growing during this time. 

One thing to keep in mind is that mushrooms can be hard to identify. Many mushrooms have totally different properties, but look very similar. 

That's why you should avoid letting your dog eat any wild mushrooms. Just because dogs can eat raw mushrooms, doesn't mean that they should eat random wild mushrooms, even if you think you can identify them. 

Don't let your dog eat mushrooms in nature. Instead, purchase dog-safe mushroom products that you know are healthy and beneficial. 

Signs of Mushroom Toxicity in Dogs

The signs of toxic mushroom ingestion for dogs are variable depending on which species they ate. 

The hundred or so toxic mushroom species in North America produce different toxins. They can cause the liver, kidneys, or other organs to fail. Symptoms may not appear for six hours or longer after the exposure, complicating matters further.

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning in dogs include:

• Severe vomiting and diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Loss of bladder control
• Difficult or staggered walking (ataxia)
• Abnormal eye movements
• Severe lethargy (sedation)
• "False recovery" (appearing to get better)
• Tremors
• Overheating (hyperthermia)
• Seizures

Again, always seek immediate veterinary care if you think your dog ate a wild mushroom. Your quick action could save their life.

Are Magic Mushrooms Dangerous to Dogs?

Eating "magic" or hallucinogenic mushrooms is not life-threatening for dogs (3). Still, they will induce symptoms like incoordination, confusion, and overheating that may require supportive veterinary care.

The jury on which mushrooms are good for dogs is still out. While we know that many are edible, more research needs to be done on whether or not mushrooms provide health benefits for dogs. 

So, Can Dogs Have Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are strange and mysterious, whether they're in our backyard or on our dinner table. 

While many mushrooms are edible and delicious, others are hazardous for people and pets. The information in this article should help you make safe, informed decisions about mushrooms for dogs. 

See the FAQ below for a quick recap of essential mushroom facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which mushrooms are good for dogs?

• Some mushrooms are edible for dogs, while others are not.
• Mushrooms from the grocery store are generally safe, but watch out for harmful cooking ingredients like garlic.
• The potential benefits of eating mushrooms for your dog's health have yet to be studied.

2. Can dogs have wild mushrooms?

• While you may be able to find edible mushrooms in nature, our advice is "better safe than sorry" when it comes to your dog.
• Only experienced mycologists and mushroom foragers can correctly identify mushrooms. 
• Many edible mushrooms have a poisonous "impostor" that looks almost exactly the same in the wild.

3. What happens if your dog eats a poisonous mushroom?

• The result depends on the mushroom species, but eating common poison mushrooms like Amanita is often deadly for dogs.
• Poison mushrooms can cause symptoms like severe vomiting, diarrhea, sedation, and seizures.
• Always take your dog to an emergency veterinarian if you think they ate a wild mushroom, even if you're not sure what kind.

4. Are mushrooms bad for dogs?

You should always do your best to prevent your dog from eating wild mushrooms. Many of the beneficial mushrooms look similar to the toxic ones. In most cases, depending on breed and size, eating a single mushroom won't harm your dog. That said, there are instances when eating one mushroom could potentially be fatal. 

If your dog eats a wild mushroom, do your best to identify it, bring your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible, and keep an eye on them for symptoms within the first 12 hours. 

5. Are mushrooms good for dogs? 

Yes, in many cases mushrooms are beneficial to your dog's health. It's important to purchase mushroom supplements that are made for dogs. You should also follow dosing guidelines very closely. When given properly, mushrooms can lead to stronger immune health in dogs, along with a wide range of other health benefits that depend on the mushroom you give them. 

References

1. https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/mushroom-toxicity-dogs
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22381186/
3. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19902204755
4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1040638719842897