Emily Johnson
Cats are curious creatures, and their curiosity can sometimes get them into trouble. While cats are famously carnivorous, some cats do crave mushrooms. But are mushrooms safe for cats to eat? The answer is complicated. While some mushrooms, such as store-bought white, button, or portobello mushrooms, are generally safe for cats to consume, wild mushrooms can be extremely poisonous and even life-threatening to cats. Additionally, some cats may be allergic to mushrooms, exhibiting symptoms such as rashes, itching, hives, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious and consult a veterinarian if you are unsure about the safety of a particular type of mushroom for your cat.
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What You'll Learn
Are store-bought mushrooms safe for cats?
While cats are carnivores and their diet should consist mostly of high-quality animal protein, store-bought mushrooms can be safe for cats to eat in small quantities. However, it is important to exercise caution as some mushrooms can be toxic to cats and may lead to severe health complications.
Mushrooms contain glutamate, an amino acid that provides a distinct umami taste that entices felines. Cats can detect this substance and become drawn to it. While commercially sold mushrooms that are safe for humans to eat are also safe for cats, it is important to only feed your cat store-bought mushrooms in moderation and not as a regular part of their diet. This is because the smell of mushrooms may encourage cats to seek out and eat wild mushrooms, which can be extremely poisonous.
Common store-bought mushrooms that are safe for cats to eat include button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms. These mushrooms are uniform in shape and colour and are sold in stores with clear labels. It is important to avoid feeding your cat wild mushrooms, as many of them contain toxic substances that can be potentially life-threatening. Only experienced mushroom foragers can recognise which wild mushrooms are safe for consumption.
If you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe for your cat to eat, it is always best to consult your veterinarian. Additionally, if your cat does ingest a wild mushroom, it is imperative to seek immediate medical care.
While mushrooms can provide health benefits for humans, the health benefits for cats are minor. Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which are soluble fibres that help fight infection and may boost a cat's immune response. However, vaccinating your cat is always the best way to keep them healthy and safe.
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Are wild mushrooms toxic to cats?
Cats are carnivores and should have a diet of high-quality animal protein and little else. However, some cats seem to like eating mushrooms. This is because they can enjoy the "'umami'" flavor of amino acids in protein. While some mushrooms are safe for cats in moderation, such as common varieties like white button or cremini mushrooms, wild mushrooms are a major risk and should always be avoided due to the potential for toxicity. Many wild mushrooms, including varieties like amanita and galerina, can be extremely toxic to cats and lead to serious health issues. These mushrooms often contain potent toxins that can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to liver failure and even death.
If you let your cat roam outside, chances are they’ll come across a toxic wild mushroom. The seven deadliest mushrooms that can be found in wooded areas are:
- Amanita phalloides (Death Cap)
- Galerina marginata (Autumn Skullcap)
- Lepiota brunneoincarnata (Deadly Dapperling)
- Entoloma sinuatum (Livid Pinkgill)
- Inosperma erubescens (Red-staining Inocybe)
- Cortinarius rubellus (Fatal Webcap)
- Gyromitra esculenta (False Morel)
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may not appear immediately, so it’s essential to monitor your cat closely if you suspect they’ve been exposed to wild mushrooms and seek immediate veterinary care. When cats eat mushrooms they shouldn’t, they can experience a range of symptoms, from mild digestive upset to severe organ damage.
If you want to feed your cat mushrooms, do so as an occasional treat. Only offer mushrooms that are proven safe, like white button, cremini, or portobello mushrooms, and only in moderation. Consult your vet to ensure they are a suitable addition to your pet's diet.
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Why do cats crave mushrooms?
Cats are carnivorous and usually take little interest in anything other than meat. However, some cats seem to like eating mushrooms. This is because mushrooms contain glutamate, an amino acid that provides a strong umami taste, which cats associate with protein. Cats are aces at sniffing out the amino acids that signal protein-rich foods. They lack a functional gene for sweetness taste receptors but do have genes for the receptors that detect the umami flavour of a wide array of amino acids in protein.
While store-bought mushrooms are usually safe for cats to eat, wild mushrooms can be poisonous to them. Many mushrooms that grow in the wild are toxic to cats, and it is hard to identify which mushrooms are safe for them to eat unless you are an experienced picker. Therefore, it is best to prevent cats from eating wild mushrooms altogether.
Mushrooms may have several health benefits for cats. They contain beta-glucans, which are soluble fibres that help fight infection. They may also help boost a cat's immune-modulating response and their ability to fight off viruses. However, it is important to note that mushrooms should only be given to cats occasionally as a treat and should not form a significant part of their diet. Cats should primarily consume a diet of high-quality animal protein.
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What are the symptoms of mushroom poisoning in cats?
While mushrooms that are safe for humans to eat are unlikely to be dangerous for cats when consumed in moderation, wild mushrooms can be extremely poisonous to cats. The symptoms of mushroom poisoning in cats vary depending on the type of mushroom ingested. Some mushrooms are nearly always fatal, while others cause mild symptoms that resolve quickly.
The wide variety of poisonous mushroom species means that the symptoms of mushroom poisoning are highly variable. The organ systems affected by mushroom toxins include the liver and kidneys. The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, poor appetite, and neurologic changes like tremors, seizures, behavioural changes, and hallucinations. Some toxins cause symptoms within 15 minutes of ingestion, while some take up to 14 days to have an effect. For example, cyclic peptides cause hepatic signs related to liver failure, with symptoms starting around 12 hours after ingestion. Initially, there is abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may seem to resolve, but then 1-3 days later, serious liver and kidney issues develop, leading to collapse, seizures, coma, and death.
If your cat has ingested a poisonous mushroom, rapid veterinary intervention is crucial. There is no safe method to induce vomiting at home in cats, so veterinary care is essential. Gastric lavage helps rinse out the stomach and further remove toxins. Activated charcoal binds to some mushroom toxins and is recommended in some cases. Most mushroom toxins do not have a specific antidote available. Treatment primarily focuses on supportive care to reduce damage to internal organs while the body clears the toxin on its own. Recovering from mushroom poisoning usually requires a 3-4 day hospital stay to monitor and treat any worsening symptoms.
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What to do if your cat eats a wild mushroom?
It is important to note that while some mushrooms are safe for cats to eat, wild mushrooms can be extremely poisonous to cats. If your cat has eaten a wild mushroom, it is imperative that you seek immediate veterinary treatment. The longer the toxins stay in your cat's system, the more damage they will cause to their internal organs. Here is what you should do if your cat eats a wild mushroom:
- Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately for guidance.
- If possible, carefully bring a sample of the mushroom with you to the veterinary clinic to allow a specialist to identify it. This will help determine the appropriate treatment.
- Monitor your cat closely for any symptoms of mushroom poisoning. Symptoms can vary widely and can include gastrointestinal issues (such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy), muscarinic effects (such as severe drooling and decreased heart rate), and neurological effects (such as unsteadiness, tremors, sensitivity to touch or sound, agitation, and depression).
- If your cat is showing signs of mushroom poisoning, take them to the emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
- Your veterinarian may administer treatments such as activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of harmful substances.
Remember, it is always best to prevent your cat from eating wild mushrooms. If your cat has access to wooded areas or spends time outdoors, restrict their access to wild mushroom sites and closely monitor their outdoor activities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, cats are not allergic to mushrooms. However, many mushrooms are toxic to cats and can cause serious or even life-threatening illness.
Common symptoms of mushroom toxicity include vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. Other symptoms include weakness, loss of coordination, hallucinations, vocalisation, drooling, trembling, agitation, disorientation, and seizures.
Mushrooms are rich in amino acids, selenium, vitamin B, and antioxidants. Amino acids are essential nutrients in the feline diet, responsible for heart, brain, and eye function. Mushrooms may also help boost a cat's immune-modulating response and their ability to fight off viruses.
Wild mushrooms are particularly risky and can be tricky to identify, so it's best to avoid feeding any wild mushrooms to your cat. Common mushrooms that are safe for cats to eat include white, button, or portobello mushrooms bought from a store.
