Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? Is It Good or Bad Dog Food
As pet owners we are always trying to find some new means to treat our furry pets. One of the most common questions that people commonly ask whenever they talk about dog lovers is whether dogs can eat mushrooms. With mushrooms being in the menu of most human diets, the question of whether giving this delicacy to your pet dog would be harmful or helpful would come straight to mind.
In this extensive article, we are going to look at everything that you require to feed mushrooms to your dog. Whether it be the safe types of mushrooms, the dangers of some other types, and the safe way of serving them. Our purpose at Pet Fresh Supplies by all means is to help the readers know more about their lovely pets. This article tends to equip you with the information on which you can base your decisions about the food of your dog.
Introduction
Mushrooms are among the foods that always make dog owners wonder whether dogs can safely eat mushrooms. The mushroom world is large and the threat is in the diversity. Whereas there are mushrooms that are completely safe to the dogs, others are very harmful and can lead to severe health conditions. This handbook will make your process less complicated when it comes to feeding mushrooms to your dog.
Before going into details of the list, we should first have a look at the general types of mushroom and their effects on the health of your dog. You can read our blogs to read more about your pets.
Classification of Mushrooms
Mushrooms are classified into types based on the characteristics of their spores or fruiting bodies.
Types of Mushrooms: Types of mushrooms are classified according to characteristics of either their spores or fruiting bodies.
Can dogs eat mushrooms? This question is all about comprehending which mushrooms are edible and which mushrooms are dangerous. The first way of keeping your dog safe is first by determining the kind of mushroom involved.
Safe Varieties of Mushrooms (Safe types of mushrooms)
There are mushrooms that are absolutely safe to dogs when consumed in small quantities. Such mushrooms are:
- White Button Mushrooms ( Agaricus bisporus )
These are the most popular mushrooms in grocery shops. They taste weak and are applied universally in salads, soups, and prepared dishes. Cooked white button mushrooms are safe for dogs.
- Portobello Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)
Also safe for your dog is a bigger version of the white button mushroom known as portobellos.Mushrooms are nutritious and intense in B vitamins, potassium and fiber, and they are delicious too.
- Shiitake Mushrooms Lentinula edodes
Shiitake mushrooms are safe to dogs besides being prevalent in Asian cuisine. The mushrooms have antioxidants and improve immune wellbeing.
- Agaricus bisporus Cremini Mushrooms
The mushrooms are just a younger portobello. Cremini mushrooms also like other mushrooms could be given to dogs with proper cooking. These mushrooms are safe in the dog but they must always be cooked and served in a well cooked manner since they may cause any digestive problem or choking since they are bigger in size.
Avoid Giving to Your Dog; Toxic Mushrooms
You and your dog, however, should be aware that wild mushrooms may become a serious hazard to your dog. Certain mushrooms have very potent poisons and these may cause poisoning which may include irreparable damage or even death in case they are consumed.
These are some of the toxic mushrooms which are harmful to dogs:
- Amanita Mushrooms (Amanita sp.)
These mushrooms are also the top dangerous. The other varieties such as the death Cap and the Fly Agaric are highly toxic and can lead to serious cases of liver and kidney injuries in dogs.
- Death Cap Mushrooms ( Amanita phalloides )
The Death Cap mushroom is killer and it possesses powerful toxins which can cause organ failure. Dogs can even die after some small amounts.
- Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa)
Destroying Angel is another that is poisonous to dogs; these species belong to the Amanita family and are highly toxic to dogs, which severe damage to liver and sometimes causes death.
- False Morels ( jobs Gyromitra spp.).
These mushrooms are lethal though they look like the edible morels and they may experience nervous breakdowns, convulsions and even pass away.
The thumb rule has been that, you must never allow your dog to ingest the wild mushrooms because they are poisonous. Sometimes not even the experienced foragers discover which varieties are safe and which are toxic.
Healthy Nutrition of Mushroom in Dogs
Having performed the discussion about the safety of mushrooms we should have a closer look at the nutritive advantages it will present to your dog. Mushrooms contain a number of nutrients that are important in the body hence a healthy snack when in controlled quantities.
- Vitamin and Minerals
Mushrooms contain great amounts of essential vitamins and minerals which promote the good health of your dog overall:
B Vitamins: B vitamins, which include B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin) and B5 (pantothenic acid) are highly concentrated in mushrooms and especially white button mushrooms and shiitakes. Dogs require these vitamins in the production of energy and metabolism.
Vitamin D: Mushrooms contain in particular vitamin D, which is of great importance to the bones and to immunity. The dogs however produce the bulk of the vitamin D through sunlight; therefore, one cannot depend on the mushrooms as the only source of the vitamin D.
Minerals: Potassium helps regulate fluid lots and heartbeats and selenium, a type of preventive agent, strengthens the immune system and is an essential part of mushrooms.
2. Immune system support
These immunity boosting mushrooms share some immunity boosting properties specifically the medicinal ones i.e. the shiitake mushroom, the maitake and the reishi mushroom. These mushrooms have been found to contain polysaccharides that have been established to enhance the immune activities of both human and animal life.
When these mushrooms are added to the dog diet in small portions, this could assist in the overall immune health.
3. Fiber Content
Mushrooms do contain dietary fibers. It contributes to normal digestion with constant bowel movement and getting saved from constipations. Fiber also help avoid obesity and weight gain.
Dangers of giving Mushrooms to Dogs
Even though mushrooms may lead to several health benefits, there are risks to watch out against. Here it is paramount to realize the possible risks of feeding your dog mushrooms and what risks you could face in the case of improper consumption or over-consumption.
- Poisonous effects of Some Mushrooms
As we have discussed above, not all mushrooms will be safe to dogs since some are very toxic. Toxic species like Amanita, Death Cap and Destroying Angel may lead to strong symptoms up to death. The toxins contained in these mushrooms assault the liver, kidney and the gastrointestinal system, this symptom is characterized by:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Jaundice
- Organ failure
In case you suspect that your dog has eaten a poisonous mushroom, you should call a vet. Treatment in time will, in other instances, save the life of your dog. And this case can happen to any of the dog breeds.
2. Gastrointestinal Matters
Even the non-toxic mushrooms on over feeding can lead to gastrointestinal issues within the dogs. Raw mushrooms are difficult to digest; they either upset the stomach, give nausea or bloat the stomach. Mushrooms are always supposed to be cooked and served in small quantities.
3. Choking or Obstruction
Fibrous texture of mushrooms may cause a choke or even an intestinal blockage that manifests especially in small dogs. In an attempt to limit this risk, you should ensure that all mushrooms you serve to your dog are always cut into small portions, which are manageable.
The Safe Way to Feed Your Dogs Mushrooms
In case you prefer feeding a mushroom to your pet, then you should remember to do it carefully. Do as follows in order to make your dog love mushrooms and not cause health issues:
1. Not in a Raw Form
Dogs should never take mushrooms uncooked. Raw mushrooms might have substances that are hard to be digested by dogs and some might even lead to stomach irritation. Heat causes the breakdown of these compounds and makes it easy to digest into your dog when mushrooms are cooked.
2. Portion Control
Nothing in excess as with every treat. Mushroom is not a staple food and thus should be served to your dog as an occasional snack. The mushroom is heavy in any form and a bit of it is more than enough to satisfy most dogs, any excess amount will cause gastrointestinal upsets.
3. Stay away of Wild Mushrooms
Never allow your pet dog to pick mushrooms in the wild. Wild mushrooms may be very toxic and impossible to identify. Get the mushrooms that would be found in the stores and which mushrooms are safe to eat in stores and get cooked.
Serving and Preparation tips
One thing to remember when preparing mushrooms to your dog is that:
- Clean up the mushrooms by washing them off to eliminate any contamination.
- Discard the stems that are rough and difficult to digest.
- Cut the mushrooms into tiny and bite-sized pieces.
Mushrooms should be cooked and this may be done through sauteing or baking, and use of butter, oil, and seasoning which may be dangerous to your dog.
Symptoms of Mushrooms Poisoning
In case your dog eats a poisonous mushroom, prompt response is important. Look out to the following symptoms of poisoning:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness or lassitude
- Stomach ache or bio related to abdominal part
- Tremors or fainting seizures
- Jaundice (skin or yellowing of eyes)
In case of the presence of any of these symptoms, it is always advisable to rush your dog to the vet. Bring a sample of the mushroom your dog consumed should you be in a position to do so because this will aid the veterinarian in his diagnosis to be much more accurate.
Best Substitutes for Mushrooms
Although mushrooms may be good, there are numerous safe alternatives to use. The following are some of the dog-friendly treats:
- Carrots- Carrots are very good for dogs because they are less in calories and high in fiber.
- Green Beans: Green beans have high content of vitamins and low fat so it is another healthy snack.
- Sweet Potatoes- Sweet potatoes are filled with vitamin A and C, which is a healthy snack to be given to dogs.
Never give unsafe or unhealthy foods to guarantee your dog health and safety.
Conclusion
When cooked and fed inadequately, mushrooms could be an excellent and healthy snack to dogs. Toxic mushrooms however bear a big risk especially that of the wild. Never ever feed them raw, but buy store-bought varieties and make them thoroughly cooked before serving your dog. When you are uncertain about a certain kind of mushroom, or that it is safe to feed your dog, you should refer to your vet. Your vet can introduce some advice and assist in making sure that your dog can have a healthy diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are mushrooms poisonous to dogs?
Indeed, certain wild mushrooms are poisonous in dogs. The manifestations of poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea and apathy. And never allow your dog to eat the mushrooms in the wild.
- Is mushroom good or bad for dogs?
It is possible to find good nutrients in mushrooms such as B vitamins, vitamin D, and fibre which are healthy to your dog as long as the mushroom is consumed in moderation.
- Is it possible to give my dog raw mushrooms?
No, mushrooms could be hard to digest and bring about gastrointestinal problems. Mushrooms must always be cooked and given to the dog.
- The dog eats a dangerous mushroom: what do I do?
There is a chance that your dog might have ingested a toxic mushroom, so call your veterinarian. Mushroom poisoning cases depend on time.
In case of more professional help on how to feed and treat pets, visit the trusted source such as PetMD and the American Kennel Club to learn more.
