Food safety
Can Cats Eat Mushrooms? Not Safely — Here's Why
No, cats should not eat mushrooms, because wild and unidentified mushrooms can poison them, and if your cat has eaten one you should call your vet right away and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (a fee may apply). Mushrooms from the grocery store are a much smaller concern, but they add nothing your cat needs.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20265 min read2 sources
Why mushrooms can be dangerous for cats
Most wild mushrooms are not toxic, but a few species are among the most dangerous things a cat can eat outdoors. The ASPCA explains that toxic mushrooms can cause severe stomach upset, trouble breathing, seizures, liver or kidney damage and even death. Pet Poison Helpline adds that North America has more than 100 poisonous species, including Amanita, Galerina and Lepiota.
The real problem is that you cannot tell the safe ones from the dangerous ones by looking. Poisonous mushrooms often resemble harmless ones, and even experts struggle to identify them from a photo. That is why both organizations advise treating any mushroom a pet eats as potentially poisonous until a specialist says otherwise.
Grocery mushrooms versus wild mushrooms
The ASPCA says mushrooms sold for human consumption are generally considered safe for pets and are not expected to cause problems. Pet Poison Helpline still advises against adding mushrooms to your cat's diet, and cats are meat eaters that get nothing essential from them. If your cat licks a plain cooked mushroom from the counter, it is rarely an emergency, but there is no reason to offer them.
Be careful with how the mushroom was prepared. Mushrooms cooked with garlic, onion, butter or heavy seasoning bring their own risks, and garlic and onion are dangerous for cats. Psychoactive mushrooms, including magic mushrooms and edibles such as mushroom chocolate bars, are a separate concern and always need a call to a vet or poison control.
What to do if your cat ate a mushroom
Act straight away. Call your vet, an emergency vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a consultation fee may apply. Pet Poison Helpline advises treating any mushroom ingestion as a toxic emergency, and the ASPCA warns that a delay in treatment can be dangerous with some mushrooms.
If you can, take a photo of the mushroom and bring a sample, or what is left of it, so a specialist can identify it. Do not wait for symptoms, and do not try to make your cat vomit at home unless a vet or poison control tells you to. Remove any remaining mushrooms from the area so your cat, and any other pets, cannot get to them.
Signs to watch for and when they appear
Pet Poison Helpline lists signs that depend on the mushroom: vomiting and diarrhea; tremors, wobbliness, seizures, disorientation or aggression; and, with liver or kidney damage, black tarry stool, loss of appetite and increased thirst or urination. Any of these after a cat has been near mushrooms needs a vet the same day.
Timing is unpredictable. Some mushrooms cause effects within 15 to 30 minutes, while others do not cause noticeable signs for up to 24 hours, and a cat can look fine in between. A quiet cat is not proof of safety, which is why you call first and watch second.
Kittens, older cats and cats with health problems
Kittens are small, curious and quick to eat what they find, so a small amount of a toxic mushroom is a larger dose for them. Cats with kidney or liver disease are also less able to cope if a mushroom damages those organs. If your cat falls into either group and has had any contact with mushrooms, call your vet immediately rather than waiting.
There is no safe amount of an unidentified wild mushroom for a cat of any age. If your cat is on medication or has a long-term health condition, ask your vet before adding any new human food at all.
Keeping your cat away from mushrooms
The ASPCA says mushrooms are most common from spring through fall in warm, wet weather, can grow almost anywhere including lawns and wooded areas, and can appear overnight. Check your yard daily and remove mushrooms before letting your cat out, wearing gloves and washing your hands afterward. Supervise outdoor time, and restrict access to damp, shady corners where mushrooms tend to grow.
Indoor cats can find mushrooms too, in houseplant pots and in bags of groceries. Keep plant soil covered, and store food out of reach. If your cat spends time outdoors, a supervised outdoor session or an enclosed catio makes it much easier to keep an eye on what is being eaten.
What to offer instead
Cats do not need vegetables, and the safest treats are small pieces of plain cooked meat or a treat made for cats, kept to a small part of the day's food. For cats that like to graze and forage, a food puzzle turns mealtime into a game and keeps them busy; browse our cat puzzle feeders for ideas. A bored cat is more likely to chew houseplants and sniff out mushrooms.
Play helps too, since a cat with plenty of stalking and chasing in its day has less reason to hunt for things to eat. Our cat toys cover wands, balls and more, and our cat puzzle feeders add mental work at mealtimes. This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can cats eat cooked mushrooms?
Plain grocery mushrooms are generally considered safe for pets by the ASPCA, but cats gain nothing from them, and seasoning such as garlic or onion is dangerous. It is better not to offer them at all.
Are wild mushrooms poisonous to cats?
Some are, and they are very hard to identify. Treat any wild or unidentified mushroom your cat eats as a toxic emergency and call your vet or poison control straight away.
How long after eating a mushroom will a cat show symptoms?
It varies. Pet Poison Helpline says some mushrooms cause signs within 15 to 30 minutes, while others may take up to 24 hours, so do not wait for symptoms before calling.
What should I do if my cat ate a mushroom in the yard?
Call your vet or an emergency vet right away, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply. Bring a sample of the mushroom if you can.
Can cats eat mushroom pizza or mushroom soup?
It is best to avoid them. Human foods often contain garlic, onion, salt and fat, which are bad for cats, and the mushrooms themselves add nothing your cat needs.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
