Yes, as a naturally grown fungi, the right kinds of mushrooms have a number of health benefits for dogs if they’re prepared and served correctly.
Here are some of the nutrients found in mushrooms that could benefit your dog.
Puppies can eat small amounts of mushrooms so long as you’re cautious about the variety. Stick to safe, shop-bought mushrooms such as button mushrooms, portobello or shiitake, cooked and chopped into small pieces. Be sure they’re served plain rather than stewed in butter or sauces, and avoid raw mushrooms as they’re too tough on a puppy’s sensitive stomach.
Mushrooms growing in the wild can be very unsafe for dogs, as it’s never certain what variety of fungi they could get their snouts into.
If you’re taking your dog in a forested area where they may come across wild ones in the undergrowth, keep a close eye on them to ensure they don’t help themselves.
Mushrooms stewed in butter, seasoning, or sauces are also unsafe; mushrooms should always be cooked (boiled, steamed, oven-roasted or lightly fried) rather than raw and served plain.
Avoid mushrooms served in garlic butter or sauce, and breaded garlic mushrooms. This is especially important, as garlic is toxic to dogs.
Yes, dogs could have a mushroom allergy, though it’s quite rare. If you’ve never fed mushrooms to your pooch before, give them a small amount, then keep an eye on them for the following symptoms:
If they show any of the above indicators of an allergic reaction, don’t give them any more mushrooms and get in touch with your vet.
Yes, dogs can get sick from mushrooms. Mushrooms should always be served plain and cooked - not in sauces or butter or as part of a human meal, as this is too risky for a dog’s sensitive stomach.
Some varieties of mushrooms are toxic to dogs, just as they are to humans. It’s important not to let your dog eat wild mushrooms as they may be poisonous, and to be cautious about which variety of mushroom they eat - even if they’re store-bought. Read on for more on the safest mushrooms for dogs so you can rest easy that they won’t get ill from this moreish snack.
To serve mushrooms to your dog in the safest way, chop them into pieces and boil or steam them. If you oven-roast them or fry them, be sure it’s in a low-fat oil that’s safe for dogs. Avoid rich sauces and butter, especially garlic butter, and don’t add salt or other seasonings.
Once the mushrooms are soft and cool, feed them as a small serving, perhaps alongside other veggies and proteins.
How many mushrooms to feed your dog depends on their breed, size and age, but generally just a small amount will do.
If it’s a small dog, 1-2 small mushrooms or quarter-half a large mushroom (such as a portobello) should be enough.
For larger dogs, 3-5 small mushrooms or a large mushroom chopped into pieces is fine. If you’re not sure, get in touch with your vet.
Now, onto the important matter of which mushrooms are safest for dogs to munch on.
Though humans can eat mushrooms raw, it’s not recommended that you feed them to your dog. They find them hard to break down. Cook the mushrooms either by steaming, boiling or oven-roasting and always serve them plain so your dog gets the most nutrients (mushrooms are high in vitamin D, B vitamins and antioxidants).
Yes - mushrooms are best for a dog’s digestive system when lightly cooked. You can steam, boil or oven-roast mushrooms for best results, and always serve them plain. Steaming them retains the most nutrients, so your pooch will get more of their fungi goodness, such as vitamin D and B vitamins, and antioxidants such as selenium.
Yes, dogs can eat shiitake mushrooms so long as they’re prepared correctly. They’re a great source of vitamin D and B vitamins and are great for gut health in dogs - just be sure they’re cooked (steaming, boiling, or oven-roasting is best, or fried in very minimal oil), served without seasoning or butter, and chopped into munchable pieces.
Yes, chestnut mushrooms are a great source of vitamins and are great for a dog’s immunity. Just be sure they’re cooked and chopped into pieces for a pooch to easily eat, and always serve them plain.
Yes, button mushrooms are a safe snack for dogs. Be sure they’re cooked, not raw, as that can cause havoc for a dog’s digestion. When lightly cooked, they can be a great source of vitamins and antioxidants, as part of a well-balanced canine diet.
Another mushroom variety that’s safe for dogs - closed cup mushrooms are a tasty and nutritious dog snack. Again, just be sure they’re cooked and not raw so your dog can digest them easily, and serve them plain. They can be a fantastic source of vitamin D and B vitamins for your pooch, as well as antioxidants such as selenium.
Yes. Lion’s mane mushrooms are known for their potential cognitive benefits, and are generally a safe food for dogs as part of a well-balanced doggy diet. Again, just be sure they’re fresh mushrooms and cooked without any added butter, salt or flavourings.
Yes, oyster mushrooms are also safe and nutritious for a dog - only when cooked, and served plain without any seasoning or flavourings. Avoid butter and especially garlic butter, as this is toxic to dogs and can cause them harm.
Yes, lots of dogs love the taste of a portobello mushroom - but they’re generally very big, so be sure they’re cut into chewable pieces. As with other mushrooms, cook them before serving, and avoid if they’re covered in any seasoning, salt or butter. Plain is always best when it comes to a dog’s sensitive tum.
No - it’s not recommended to feed your pooch breaded mushrooms as often the coating is full of salt, seasoning or even garlic powder, which is toxic to dogs. Breaded mushrooms are usually flavoured, and so it’s better to avoid them. If your pooch has eaten one accidentally, keep an eye on them for any untoward digestive symptoms (they should be ok, but better safe than sorry).
No - garlic is toxic to dogs, so absolutely avoid feeding your dog garlic mushrooms, which are generally swimming in garlic butter. If they’ve eaten one small mushroom accidentally, it will unlikely cause harm, but if your dog is small, it could be worth calling your vet.
No - it’s never recommended to let your dog eat wild mushrooms. Mushrooms are generally hard to identify in the wild, and some are deadly, so it isn’t worth the risk, and it’s definitely not advised to let your dog eat whatever they find. Be extra cautious if your dog is off the lead in wooded areas and lead them away from wild-growing fungi.
Yes, freeze-dried mushrooms are generally safe for a dog, though it isn’t the most tempting snack for them. Be sure it’s a safe mushroom variety (portobello, shiitake, button, etc.) As with other mushrooms, be sure they’re cooked and only served in small amounts without any extra seasoning.
Let’s go over the facts with dogs and mushrooms.
If you like the sound of mushrooms but are looking for alternatives, consider the following foods for your dog.
Check out our healthy dog treats that are safe for your pooch to eat without risk - for a delicious mood-booster that improves their gut health and wellbeing.
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