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Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms

Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?

Updated on July 18, 2024
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?

Yes, dogs can eat mushrooms from the grocery store, but they provide little nutrition for canines. However, some mushrooms are toxic to dogs and humans. If you and your dog go exploring in the wilderness, never let your pet consume any mushrooms out there. Can dogs eat wild mushrooms? No. 

Mushrooms are a large and diverse group of fungi. Some mushrooms are quite tasty and nutritious, while others are deadly poisonous. The critical thing to know is which is which.

Dogs can eat most store-bought mushrooms, including canned, cremini, portabella and shiitake mushrooms.

Some mushrooms are as toxic to dogs as they are to humans, but those aren’t typically sold in standard grocery stores, as you’d expect. If you and your dog like to go foraging outdoors, never let your pet consume anything they find out there. If your dog consumes a wild mushroom, immediately consult your veterinarian or pet poison control. Remember to always consult your veterinarian before feeding your pet any new foods.

Can dogs eat cooked mushrooms?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked mushrooms that are safe for human consumption and store-bought. It’s also important to make sure that the mushrooms aren’t cooked with any ingredients that can be harmful or toxic to dogs, like garlic, onions or lots of oils, salt and spices.

Can dogs eat raw mushrooms?

Yes, dogs can eat raw mushrooms that have been bought from the grocery store, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces. However, dogs can’t eat raw mushrooms found in the wild, as these could be toxic and even deadly. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog ate a wild mushroom. 

Can dogs eat portobello mushrooms?

Yes, dogs can eat portobello mushrooms that are store-bought, washed and served appropriately in moderation. Mushrooms don’t provide many health benefits for dogs, so it’s best only to feed them as the occasional treat. Remember to keep treats and snacks to under 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake.

Can dogs eat white mushrooms?

In some cases, yes, dogs can eat white mushrooms. Dogs will be fine if they eat white button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, portobello mushrooms and other store-bought varieties when they’re prepared and served appropriately. However, dogs should never eat wild mushrooms found outdoors, regardless of their color. 

Can dogs eat button mushrooms?

Yes, dogs can safely eat white button mushrooms, which are also sometimes called “common mushrooms.” It’s best to cook white button mushrooms before feeding them to your pup, and be sure to avoid adding harmful or toxic ingredients like garlic, onions, or lots of salts and spices. White button mushrooms can even provide some additional fiber, protein and antioxidants for your dog. 

Safe mushroom list

Store-bought mushrooms will generally be safe for dogs. 

Here are some common varieties of mushrooms safe for dogs to eat: 

  • White button mushrooms
  • Cremini mushrooms
  • Portobello mushrooms
  • Porcini mushrooms
  • Shitake mushrooms
  • Reishi mushrooms
  • Maitake mushrooms 

Symptoms of poisonous mushroom ingestion

If your dog ate poisonous mushrooms, consult your veterinarian immediately and look out for the following symptoms: 

  • Diarrhea 
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Excessive drool
  • Seizures
  • Stomach issues
  • Weakness
  • Uncoordinated or unnatural movements 
  • Jaundice
  • Lack of energy
  • Liver failure

It’s important never to feed your dog wild mushrooms or those you don’t recognze. 

Visual signs of poisonous mushrooms include:

  • White gills on the underside of the cap 
  • Red colored mushrooms
  • Mushrooms with rings around the stem 
  • Mushrooms with bulging at the base of the stem 

FAQs About Feeding Mushrooms to Dogs

If it’s a common store-bought mushroom, your dog should be able to digest it without any issues. If you’re wondering, “Can dogs eat baby bella mushrooms?” or “Can dogs eat mushrooms from pizza?” your pet will likely be fine after consuming those, too.

Yes, white mushrooms—also known as table, button, champignon or common mushrooms—are typically acceptable for canines to eat, though there’s no reason to offer them to your pet.

Can dogs eat mushrooms they found growing outdoors? Some mushrooms are sought-after sources of nutrients for many woodland creatures. Others are deadly poisonous to humans and dogs alike.

If your dog consumes a wild mushroom that you can identify, contact your vet or animal poison control immediately to determine if it could be harmful to your pet. If you can’t identify it, make those calls anyway for advice on how to proceed. If your dog is acting abnormal after being outside and the only concern you find is a mushroom patch in your yard, grab a sample of the mushroom to help your veterinarian identify it. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, excess salivation, weakness, lethargy, a staggering gait and signs of abdominal pain. More serious symptoms of mushroom poisoning include seizures, coma, liver failure, abdominal pain and death, making it imperative you see your veterinarian or an emergency vet immediately if you suspect your dog got into wild mushrooms.

Take some time to learn about the most common wild mushrooms in your area so you can quickly identify which ones are toxic to dogs. The adverse effects of most poisonous mushrooms stop at severe gastrointestinal distress, but some mushrooms—such as fly agaric and death cap mushrooms—can cause a painful and sudden death.

Yes, some varieties can cause a wide range of illnesses in your pet. Some mushrooms are a favorite snack of many forest animals, but others can be deadly. This includes mushrooms like the amanita phalloides—also known as death cap—or the amanita muscaria—called fly agaric or deadly agaric.

If you suspect your dog may have eaten a dangerous wild mushroom and/or your pet experiences vomiting, diarrhea and excess salivation after exposure, take them to a pet hospital ASAP or contact pet poison control right away. Try to bring a sample of the mushroom eaten to help your vet determine the best treatment for your dog.

As a pet parent, it’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with some of the most common mushrooms grown in gardens. Some pose little threat, some can cause gastrointestinal distress and others can be deadly poisonous. However, most mushrooms that are toxic to canines are also dangerous for humans, and it’s unlikely that a home garden would contain any that are toxic to dogs. When determining what’s OK for your pet, consider that the answer to the question “Can dogs eat mushrooms that are toxic to humans?” is no.

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