Any foodie knows the value of adding truffles to a dish. In fact, mushrooms are present in a variety of meals, including sauces, soups, pizza, pasta, burgers, Chinese food dishes, and more. Sautéed as a side or even served as a main dish, fungi is a flavorful food. But how does it fare for canines? Are mushrooms good for dogs? Today we will explore if it’s safe for dogs to eat this vegetable.
Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?
So are mushrooms safe for canines? Like humans, dogs can eat certain mushrooms. The answer of whether or not a certain mushroom is edible for dogs depends entirely on the mushroom.
However, there are poisonous mushrooms that are toxic for canines. Unfortunately dogs cannot sniff out the toxins in mushrooms. This means that it is dangerous for them to gobble up wild mushrooms that they find on walks. Read on to discover which mushrooms are edible for dogs.
Are Mushrooms Good for Dogs?
Before we delve into mushroom danger, let’s discuss edible mushrooms for dogs. The store bought variety are largely safe for canines to snack on. However, never serve mushrooms to dogs with butter, oils, seasoning, or spices on them. Dogs don’t need any extra fat or salt in their diets.
Furthermore, the majority of a dog’s diet should come from animal protein, not produce. You can serve mushrooms to dogs as a snack, but they should never make up the majority of your dog’s meal plan. Since mushrooms should only ever be served to dogs as plainly as possible, it’s advised to just skip them altogether.
But are mushrooms good for dogs? With health warnings fully understood, mushrooms do have nutritional benefits. Edible mushrooms have protein and fiber in them, as well as B vitamins. Mushrooms also contain selenium, a powerful immune-boosting antioxidant that prevents cell and tissue damage.
Some types of mushrooms also contain a high concentration of vitamin D. However, dogs that eat a balanced diet should already be getting all the nutrients they need. Therefore mushrooms are not at all necessary to dogs.
There are plenty of safe produce products for dogs to eat that don’t carry as many danger warnings. Whichever treat you choose for your pup, be sure to introduce any new foods to your dog gradually and in small portions. Monitor your furry friend for any adverse reactions to new food.
Which Mushrooms are Toxic to Dogs?
Now that mushroom safety has been touched upon, let’s examine the other end of the spectrum: mushroom danger. The American Kennel Club (AKC) determines that while only a small amount of mushroom species are actually toxic, the toxic groups are extremely deadly.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to determine if a wild mushroom is safe or not. Therefore, it’s best to keep it safe and have all wild mushrooms be off limits for your canine. Mushrooms can kill dogs, so the danger of the fungi cannot be taken lightly.
The AKC lists the following wild mushroom species as being especially problematic:
- Amanita phalloides, known colloquially as “death cap”
- Galerina marginata, known as “deadly Galerina” or “Galerina autumnalis”
- Amanita gemmata, or “jeweled deathcap”
- Amanita muscaria, called “fly agaric” or “Deadly Agaric”
- Gyromitra spp., or false morel
- Inocybe spp. and Clitocybe dealbata mushrooms
Spotting Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs
Lastly, let’s discuss how to spot symptoms of mushroom poisoning in your dog. The symptoms will differ depending on what type of mushroom was consumed, since different mushrooms have different toxins in them.
Since there are a range of dangerous mushrooms, there are a number of symptoms to be aware of. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, staggering gate, salivation, weakness, lethargy, jaundice, stomach pain, liver failure, seizures, coma, and death.
If you believe that your dog is experiencing mushroom poisoning, contact your vet immediately. It is also helpful to bring along a sample of the suspected mushroom wrapped in a damp paper towel. This will assist your vet in determining which type of toxin your dog ingested.
Mushroom Mashup
Are mushrooms good for dogs? While the store bought variety are generally safe to serve in small, plain portions, mushrooms are not a necessary part of a dog diet. Since a variety of mushrooms can be fatal for dogs to consume, why not stick to a certified safe treat instead?
To read about safe and healthy human foods for dogs, check out can dogs have apples.
