can dogs eat mushrooms?
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Can dogs have mushrooms from a store, or from your garden? The answer won’t be the same for every kind of mushroom.
Mushrooms have been used in both traditional and alternative medicine for thousands of years, but not all mushrooms are edible! Before you and your pet start dabbling in the fun world of fungi, get the details on the rules for feeding mushrooms to dogs––which ones are safe, how to serve them, and signs that they’re toxic for your dog.
Can dogs eat mushrooms?
The answer is both yes and no. It all depends on the mushroom in question! Usually, the ones people eat are OK for our pets.
Mushrooms aren’t an ‘essential’ part of a dog’s diet, but some mushrooms can have useful benefits for your dog’s overall health and well-being. On the other hand, there are many types of mushrooms–whether wild, store-bought, or cooked–that your dog should never eat.
If you’re looking into the benefits of mushrooms for dogs and want to try them out for your four-legged friend, start small. Try supplements for dogs, or dog-specific foods that feature mushrooms as an ingredient. If you’re thinking about feeding mushrooms to your pet and they’re not formulated specifically for dogs, talk to your veterinarian before giving them to your pet.
Benefits of mushrooms for dogs
Mushrooms are packed with nutrients and vitamins that benefit not just people but pets too. Depending on the type of mushroom, you might find the following inside:
Antioxidants
Zinc, selenium, and manganese are only a few of the antioxidants that can be found in mushrooms. As dietary supplements for dogs, antioxidants are given to help neutralize reactive compounds–like free radicals–that cause oxidative stress and cellular damage within the body.
Vitamins
B vitamins like B1, B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B9 (folic acid), and B12 can all be found in standard kitchen mushrooms like crimini and portobello. B vitamins offer impressive benefits for digestion, heart health, red blood cells, brain function, and more.
Vitamin D is another big ‘pro’ in the case for using mushrooms for dogs, as they’re the only vegetable that naturally contains the vitamin. Vitamin D helps your furry friend’s bones by maintaining calcium levels in the body. It can also support teeth, immunity, eye health, and kidney function.
Fiber
We all know that dietary fiber is essential for our dog’s digestion, and mushrooms supply it in spades. Beta-glucan is one of the most common soluble fibers found in mushrooms, along with chitin––a polysaccharide fiber found in the cell walls of fungi.
Adaptogens
This isn’t just a marketing buzz word––adaptogens have been used in Ayurvedic medicine in India and Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 5,000 years! History suggests that these compounds can reduce cortisol levels which could help your dog deal with stressful situations.
Polysaccharides
These carbohydrates found in mushrooms can help promote better digestion and colon health by encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria as they pass through your dog’s digestive tract.
Specific polysaccharides found in Turkey Tail mushroom– polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK)–have also been studied for their immune-supporting and anti-cancer properties. (Saleh)
Which mushrooms can dogs have?
Most store-bought mushrooms intended for human consumption are generally safe for dogs, and can be a nutritious snack when eaten in moderation. Specialty mushrooms like Chaga and Turkey Tail are usually only found in supplements and are a more nutrient-dense option than your average kitchen mushroom for dogs.
So, can dogs have mushrooms of any kind? No––but we’ll tell you which ones are safe for them to enjoy!
White mushrooms
Also called button mushrooms, these familiar little fungi are a staple in American kitchens. You can feed these mushrooms to your dog if they come sniffing around the kitchen while you’re cooking––just ensure they’re washed and plain (no oils or seasoning).
Crimini
Another favorite in people food, crimini mushrooms are safe for dogs when given washed and unseasoned.
Portobello
Also popular in human cuisine, portobello mushrooms are packed with nutritious properties and can be fed to dogs. As long as they’re not seasoned, of course!
Comfort
Keeping your senior dog comfortable is one of the best ways to support them as they transition into their golden years. You can soften the blow that joint stiffness, pain, and lower energy levels can have on your pup:
Turkey Tail
In addition to the basic mushrooms found in the produce section, exotic mushrooms like Turkey Tail–named for their colorful, fan-like shape–can also have benefits for your dog.
Lion's Mane
This fuzzy-looking fungi gets its name from the long tendrils that sprout from its cap resembling a lion’s mane. Lion’s mane can be cooked at home or purchased as a supplement and is safe for dogs to consume.
Chaga
Chaga mushrooms are rich in essential nutrients like vitamins B, D, and K, as well as minerals such as zinc, copper, and magnesium. These features make them good for immunity, targeting inflammation, and antioxidant defense. To feed chaga mushrooms to dogs, usually powdered supplements or dog-specific supplements are the most convenient.
Reishi
Referred to in ancient Eastern medicine as the “mushroom of immortality,” reishi mushrooms have long been praised for their health benefits. They offer important macronutrients like fat and carbohydrates as well as micronutrients like the minerals zinc, phosphorus, potassium, and more.
How to feed mushrooms to your dog
So you’re ready to pass on the big benefits of mushrooms to your dog, but not sure where to start. Here are the best ways to feed fungi to your dog!
Buy a supplement for dogs
You can buy Chaga, Turkey Tail, or Reishi mushroom capsules from the health food store. But it’s more convenient to get pre-made supplements for dogs with the mushrooms–and other beneficial nutrients–already inside. Supplements should be given daily (or as directed on the label).
Keep prep simple
Your dog will love mushrooms most if they’re given washed and plain. You can give them raw or cooked depending on your dog’s preferences. Avoid sauces, garlic, onion (which can be toxic to dogs), and oils that can upset the stomach.
Don’t serve them ‘people-style’
Many pet parents wonder if the mushrooms they cook for themselves can be given to their dog. Can dogs eat cooked mushrooms? Yes––as long as you serve them plain and unseasoned.
Can dogs eat cream of mushroom soup or other dishes cooked with mushrooms? Definitely not! When serving mushrooms to dogs, just stick with plain and simple preparation and no extra ingredients.
Use mushroom capsules
When trying exotic mushrooms like Chaga or Turkey Tail mushrooms for dogs, there are a few ways to shop. You can look for dog supplements that already include them as ingredients (our recommendation), or buy supplement capsules filled with pure mushroom powder.
In theory, mushroom capsules made for people can be opened and then poured and mixed with water into your dog’s food. But before you serve up over-the-counter mushroom capsules to your pet, consult with your veterinarian on the correct dosage––a human dosage may not always be safe for your dog.
If you have these mushrooms on hand fresh, be sure to thoroughly clean and cook them before serving to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach.
Which mushrooms are toxic for dogs?
Dogs and psychedelic mushrooms? That’s easy––NOT a good mix. Death caps? The name says it all! But the obvious ones aren’t the only dangers to your dog.
First, never let your dog eat wild mushrooms. Mycologists (scientists who study mushrooms) may be skilled enough to identify edible mushrooms in the wild, but there are too many risks for casual foragers. Curious dogs might sniff or root around a batch of mushrooms if they find them in the wild, but thankfully, most dogs will move on without taking a bite.
So, are lawn mushrooms poisonous for your pet? If your dog eats a yard mushroom on a walk or outside your home, don’t take any chances––treat it as a medical emergency. Backyard mushrooms like these contain compounds that are poisonous for your pet:
- Amanita phalloides (death caps)
- Inocybe (white fibercaps)
- Scleroderma citrinum (common earthball)
- Amanita muscaria (fly agaric)
- Amanita pantherina (panther cap)
- Clitocybe gibba (common funnel mushroom)
We recommend doing a regional check on the types of mushrooms that sprout in your area, and making a visual guide that can be posted near your door. When on walks with your furry friend or when tending to your yard, keep an eye out for these top offenders and be sure your dog can’t access them.
Signs of mushroom toxicity in dogs
Mushroom toxicity in dogs will look a little different than your standard upset stomach. They may have:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of balance
- Disorientation
If you suspect your dog has ingested a poisonous mushroom, seek medical help immediately. While some mushrooms cause gastrointestinal upset that only lasts a few days, some mushrooms contain poisonous compounds that can be fatal for your dog. If you can, bring in remnants of whatever mushroom your dog ate to help your veterinarian identify the source of the symptoms––and the best form of treatment.
Are mushrooms good for dogs? Yes, absolutely! Are mushrooms bad for dogs? Some wild mushrooms can be, so always use caution when foraging or letting your dog eat mushrooms from the backyard. And remember, consult your veterinarian about any supplements that are not formulated for dogs to ensure you’re giving appropriate (and safe) doses.
References
Saleh, Mohammad H. “Immunomodulatory Properties of Coriolus versicolor: The Role of Polysaccharopeptide.” NCBI, 6 September 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5592279/. Accessed 15 June 2023.
This blog exists to provide general information and education about veterinary health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website, or in any linked materials is not intended as and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions, or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.
If you suspect that your pet has a medical concern, you should consult with your veterinary health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website, or in any linked materials.
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DR. JOYA GRIFFIN, DVM, DACVD
Dr. Joya Griffin is an Ohio native and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a special interest in fungal and immune-mediated skin diseases as well as feline and equine dermatology. Dr. Joya always strives to care for her patients as if they are her own pets and loves building long-lasting relationships with their pet parents. Dr. Joya also stars in the Nat Geo WILD television series, “Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya,” which highlights the challenging and mysterious cases she encounters in veterinary dermatology.
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