Why dogs should not have it
Mushrooms sold in shops, such as button or oyster mushrooms, are not toxic to dogs. But mushrooms are cooked with butter, cream, salt, onion or garlic, and onion and garlic are dangerous to dogs.
The biggest risk is wild mushrooms. Some mushrooms from woods, meadows or gardens can damage the liver, kidneys or nervous system, and signs sometimes appear only after a while. Telling a poisonous mushroom by its look is hard even for an experienced picker, so it is better never to give a dog mushrooms at all, so it does not learn to look for and eat them.
What to watch out for
- Wild mushrooms can cause severe poisoning: if your dog ate a mushroom outdoors, contact a vet straight away.
- Mushroom dishes can contain onion or garlic, which damage red blood cells.
- Rich mushroom sauce or fried mushrooms can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Contact a vet if your dog vomits, has diarrhoea, drools heavily, staggers, trembles or has a seizure.
Different parts
Not every part of this food is equally safe.
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Wild mushrooms
DangerousAny mushroom found in woods, a meadow or a garden can be poisonous, so if your dog ate one, contact a vet straight away.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.
What to give instead
Foods that are safer to give.
- Courgettes Yes, courgettes are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, without oil, salt or spices, they make a light, low-calorie treat. Safe
- Carrots Yes, carrots are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, unseasoned and cut into pieces, they make a crunchy, low-calorie treat. Safe
- Cucumbers Yes, fresh cucumber is fine for dogs: it is mostly water and low in calories, but do not give pickled cucumbers. Safe
- Bell peppers Yes, sweet bell peppers are fine for dogs: washed, without seeds or stalk, raw or cooked without spices, they make a good treat. Safe