No, Don’t Feed Your Dog Mushrooms

Can dogs have mushrooms? The simple answer is no. Let’s look back at a recent event surrounding mushrooms and dogs.

I’ve been following Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson after he adopted two French Bulldog puppies. In the very beginning, it was a pretty bumpy ride, as both Frenchies decided to try out the swimming pool. One swam and the other didn’t. Luckily, “The Rock” saved them both and no one was harmed—just a little wet.

Then, Brutus, one of his Frenchie puppies, was hospitalized due to the ingestion of mushrooms. Unfortunately, the best veterinary care was unable to save Brutus and he crossed into Heaven last night.

This story got a hold on me. It’s horrible. It’s been 24 hours and I still can’t shake it, so I’m going to discuss mushroom poisoning in dogs. Keep in mind I’m not a veterinarian, but only a seasoned dog trainer and pet owner. If your dog ate a mushroom in the backyard recently, check out these tips. I’ll share the actions I take when my dogs are exposed to mushrooms.

Which Mushrooms are Toxic to Dogs?

To everyday dog owners, wild growing mushrooms look the same. They usually sprout in shaded damp areas lifted off the ground by a stem. Most mushrooms have short or long stems and different types of tops, and can grow in clusters or individually.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It’s important to understand toxic mushrooms are impossible to identify. All mushrooms look alike.[/perfectpullquote]

How to Prevent Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs

We don’t have an issue with wild growing mushrooms in dry Texas, but when visiting my family in south Louisiana, they’re everywhere. I highly suggest following these recommendations to keep mushroom exposure to a minimum.

Remove Mushrooms From Yard

Before turning our dogs loose in my mother’s large yard, we survey the area for mushrooms, fence gaps and large rodent holes (armadillo dens are very common in Louisiana). Any and all mushrooms are immediately picked up and discarded into a closed lidded trashcan away from the yard. Of course, animal den entrances and fence gaps are closed because Stella (Terrier) will push her way through. 🙂

Practice “Leave It”

Our dogs are always supervised while playing in the yard, so we can promptly ask our dogs to “leave it” if they stumble upon mushrooms. Honestly, practicing “leave it” daily is so important. You never know what’s hidden in your yard that day. Carry treats in your pocket for impromptu dog training practice sessions when your dog encounters mushrooms, discarded trash, sticks and so forth.

Keep Mushrooms From Growing

Mushrooms thrive on dead and decayed wood, so remove all decayed wood and tree limbs immediately. Also, mushrooms mostly grow during the fall season, so keep your peepers open and don’t forget to remove all those dead leaves quickly.

Keep Dogs Leashed During Walks Away From Home

By keeping your dog next to you, even during leisurely walks through the woods, you’re reducing the chances of unknown ingestion of mushrooms or any other harmful materials. If your dog wanders up to growing mushrooms, ask him to “leave it” and reward with treats from your pocket.

RELATED: What Human Foods are Bad for Dogs?

What If Your Dog Eats a Mushroom

Prevention is key, but sometimes dogs will quickly eat mushrooms, so swift action is needed immediately!

• Leash or pick up your dog.
• Grab any remaining mushrooms and put them in your pocket (keep picked mushrooms away from your dog).
• Immediately bring your dog to the emergency clinic. Don’t forget to bring along your plucked mushrooms as reference. This will help narrow down treatment for your dog.
  • If you live far away from a vet, contact Pet Poison Control (855) 764-7661 immediately. These veterinary experts specialize in ingestion of toxic materials and will advise you on the next steps and tips to induce vomiting if recommended. Plus, these folks are available 24 hours seven days a week.

Never practice a wait-and-see attitude after your dog eats mushrooms. There’s a 50/50 chance he’ll become sick or, even worse, the ingested mushrooms are indeed poisonous.

Let’s learn from little Brutus’ short life on earth. Keep your dog safe from poisonous mushrooms.

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