Mushrooms for Dogs: A Complete Guide
While they focus mainly on medicinal mushrooms, multiple peer reviewed scientific and veterinary studies prove the health benefits of mushrooms for dogs. It’s a view supported by all the world’s leading authorities on feeding fresh food to dogs including the likes of Dr Karen Becker and Dr Judy Morgan, Dr Richard Pitcairn and Dr Conor Brady.
In terms of feeding dogs mushrooms, there really is just one simple rule. If a mushroom is safe for you to eat, it’s safe for your dog to eat too. If a mushroom is toxic to human beings, it is also toxic to dogs. Feeding dogs mushrooms is really no more complicated than that!
Can dogs eat mushrooms?
Yes, dogs can safely eat cooked or raw shop-bought mushrooms like button, portobello or chestnut or any of the human-safe medicinal mushrooms says our in-house dog nutritionist. Any mushroom that is safe for humans to eat is also safe for dogs to eat!
Health benefits of feeding dogs mushrooms
Mushrooms provide dogs with an exceptional blend of low-calorie nutrition, plant-based protein and essential trace elements that support overall canine health.
These strange organisms belong to a distinct biological classification separate from plants and animals, and the specific chemical structure of a mushroom varies significantly by species and growing conditions.
Fungi act as natural scavengers in soil, effectively absorbing rare minerals like selenium, potassium and copper.
Mushrooms stand as the only non-animal, unfortified grocery produce capable of synthesising vitamin D2 when exposed to ultraviolet light.
They deliver significant levels of riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid necessary for cellular energy production.
Mushrooms are low-calorie nutritional powerhouses that provide essential vitamins, minerals and unique bioactive compounds which support the immune system, heart, brain and gut health. They offer an array of protective benefits because they are packed with potent antioxidants, prebiotics, and essential micronutrients
And the really cool bit? They do all those things both for humans and our dogs!
Mushrooms:
- Provide immune system & cellular support
- Improve brain and cognitive function
- Increase heart and cardiovascular health
- Improve gut and metabolic health
- Provide an exceptional micronutrient profile
What specific mushrooms can my dog eat?
As previously mentioned, any mushroom safe for humans to eat is safe for dogs to eat. And while medicinal mushrooms have more to offer in terms of health benefits, even the more common button, white or portobello mushroom — all the same mushroom but at different life stages — are still worthy of a regular place in your dog’s food bowl.
Medicinal mushrooms include:
- Cordyceps
- Lion’s mane
- Turkey tail
- Shiitake
- Oyster
- Chaga
- Maitake
- Reishi
Typical supermarket mushrooms include:
- White button
- Chestnut
- Portobello
- Porcini
Step-by-step preparation of mushrooms for dogs
1. If you are at all concerned, rinse the mushrooms under cold water and wipe away any remaining dirt or debris.
2. Slice them into small, bite-sized pieces or purée them completely to improve digestion.
3. Steam, boil or oven-roast the mushrooms. If you choose to sauté them, use a little olive oil.
4. Allow the mushrooms to cool before mixing them into your dog’s regular food.
Search our Mushroom recipes:
How many mushrooms can a dog eat?
As with so many natural foodstuffs, there really are no hard-and-fast rules for the quantity of mushrooms you can feed a dog. As a general rule though, mushrooms should not exceed in the region of 10 percent of your dog’s overall diet. (Click here for the 10% rule of feeding dogs fresh food).
You can significantly boost the Vitamin D content of your dog’s mushrooms by leave them stem-side up on your kitchen worktop in direct sunlight for 15 minutes before cooking to naturally trigger Vitamin D synthesis.
How to feed a dog mushrooms
Unless you are really experienced in fungi, I recommend only feeding your dog shop-bought mushrooms. Never feed wild mushrooms unless you really know what you’re doing.
While mushrooms are generally best cooked — chaga mushrooms are impossible to eat raw anyway because of their tough, woody texture — the likes of portobello, white button, portobello or cremini mushrooms are well tolerated by dogs if your pup is happy to eat them that way.
Mushrooms can also be dehydrated, something I recommend if ever mushrooms are on offer in the supermarket. Dehydrate them, vacuum seal them and you and your dogs could be happily eating them for a year or more.
Here are four creative, dog-safe ways to feed cooked culinary mushrooms to your pup:
1. Umami Mushroom & Beef Topper
White button, chestnut or cremini mushrooms develop a rich, savoury aroma when cooked. Blending them with beef creates an irresistible, vitamin-packed gravy for any food.
- Finely chop 50g of chestnut mushrooms and boil them alongside 50g of lean minced beef in a splash of water for 10 minutes until thoroughly cooked.
- Toss the savoury mixture (including the cooking liquid) directly over your dog’s regular food. This adds a powerful dose of selenium and zinc to support its skin, coat and immune system.
2. Frozen Mushroom & Bone Broth Health Elixir
Mushrooms contain beta-glucans which naturally stimulate and strengthen a dog’s immune response. Freezing them inside a savoury broth creates a highly therapeutic summer snack.
- Finely mince a handful of white button mushrooms and steam them until soft. Stir the minced mushrooms into 100ml of homemade bone broth.
- Pour the savoury liquid into a silicone mould and freeze for 3 hours. Pop them out as a refreshing, crunchy treat that delivers deep cellular health support.
3. Savoury Mushroom & Pumpkin Lick Mat
Pureeing cooked mushrooms allows them to slide perfectly into the small, intricate rubber grids of an enrichment toy, creating an enticing, earthy licking challenge.
- Steam a small handful of mushrooms until tender, then puree them in a blender with a splash of water. Mix the mushroom paste with two tablespoons of pure pumpkin puree or plain Greek yogurt.
- Use the back of a spoon to press the thick paste firmly into a rubber lick mat, then freeze for 45 minutes. The repetitive licking action releases calming hormones to soothe anxious dogs during grooming or thunderstorms.
4. Baked Savoury Mushroom & Egg Biscuit Drops
Cooked mushrooms blend brilliantly with the premium protein of eggs to create a soft, nutrient-dense baked reward that picky dogs crave.
- Finely chop a small handful of cooked mushrooms. In a mixing bowl, whisk one medium chicken egg and fold in the cooked mushrooms along with 120g (1 cup) of oat flour.
- Roll the dough into tiny, bite-sized drops and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes until firm and golden. Allow them to cool completely before rewarding your dog.
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