Can Cats Eat Mushrooms? Store-Bought vs Wild Mushroom Danger

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Mushrooms are one of those foods where a sentence like "safe for cats" can be dangerously misleading. The mushrooms in a grocery store are a very different matter from the ones that sprout in a lawn after rain, and the difference can be life or death.

Store-bought mushrooms

Common cultivated varieties, such as white button, cremini and portobello mushrooms, are not considered toxic to cats. A tiny taste of a plain, cooked piece is unlikely to cause harm. Even so, mushrooms offer nothing to an obligate carnivore, and some cats get an upset stomach. Raw mushrooms contain compounds that are harder to digest, and cooking improves safety. Never serve mushrooms prepared with butter, oil, onion, garlic, wine or heavy seasoning.

Wild mushrooms

Thousands of wild mushroom species exist, and a small number are among the most poisonous organisms on earth. Some look nearly identical to harmless species. Toxic groups include those containing amatoxins, which cause delayed and severe liver failure, those with neurotoxins that cause tremors and hallucination-like behavior and those that cause kidney damage or severe stomach upset. Cats are less likely to eat wild mushrooms than dogs, but it happens, particularly with curious kittens and outdoor cats.

You cannot judge toxicity from color, shape, whether something is eaten by wildlife or whether it has been cooked. Treat every unidentified mushroom as dangerous.

Quick reference

Signs of mushroom poisoning

Signs depend on the type and may begin within minutes or be delayed for a day or more.

• Drooling, nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy and weakness
• Tremors, seizures or wobbling
• Agitation or unusual behavior
• Jaundice, a yellow tint to the gums or eyes
• Loss of appetite and increased thirst

A dangerous feature of some poisonings is a false recovery. A cat may seem better after the first stomach upset, while the liver continues to fail. That is why early veterinary treatment matters, before signs of organ damage appear.

What to do if your cat ate a wild mushroom

1. Move your cat away and remove any remaining mushrooms from the area.
2. Collect a sample. Use gloves or a bag. Photograph where it grew. Keep it in a paper bag, not plastic, if possible.
3. Call a veterinarian or an animal poison helpline immediately. Do not wait for signs. Our US vet directory and the emergency warning signs guide can help.
4. Do not induce vomiting at home unless a professional tells you to. In cats, home methods can be harmful.
5. Bring the sample and a timeline to the clinic.

Early treatment, which may include decontamination, fluids, liver protectants and monitoring, improves outcomes.

Protecting your yard

• Check the yard daily after rain, and remove mushrooms with gloves, bagging them for disposal.
• Rake leaves and remove rotting wood, which attract fungi.
• Keep outdoor cats under supervision, or give them a secure catio.
• Do not rely on mowing or fungicide alone.
• Keep compost bins closed.

Myths about mushrooms and pets

"Animals instinctively avoid poisonous mushrooms." They do not. Some mushrooms smell and taste appealing to pets.

"If it was eaten by a squirrel it is safe." Species differ in how they handle toxins.

"Only red or spotted mushrooms are toxic." Some of the deadliest species are plain brown or white.

Mushroom products

Medicinal mushroom powders, coffees and supplements are popular, but there is little evidence that they are useful or safe for cats, and doses are not established. Ask your vet before giving any supplement. Check other foods with our free cat food and plant safety checker.

Houseplants and other hazards

If you are cat-proofing your home, mushrooms are only one item. Many common houseplants, such as lilies, are far more dangerous. See toxic houseplants for cats and lilies and cats.

Mushroom foraging and cats

If you forage for edible mushrooms, keep trimmings and cleaned stems in a closed container, because a cat may eat scraps from a counter or bin. Never leave a foraging basket on the floor, and wash cutting boards well. If you are not an expert, do not rely on apps to identify species for your own safety or your cat's.

Quick checklist

• Do you know exactly what the mushroom is, because it came from a store?
• Is it plain and cooked, with no onion, garlic or seasoning?
• Is the amount tiny?

If you cannot answer yes to all three, do not feed it. If your cat eats anything you cannot identify, call a vet.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.