Can Cats Eat Wild Mushroom?
Can Cats Eat Wild Mushrooms? The Cat Owner Guide
Cats are inquisitive animals and prone to foraging through the world exploring eventually nibbling on objects that catch their eyes. Many cat owners are worried if their furry friends can eat certain foods they might come across, Wild mushrooms in particular. So, in this article, we are going to discuss everything about the issue: from what risks cats and wild mushrooms pose a risk to symptoms of poisoning (if you do not know where your cat ate), safe rules for traveling with domestic animals, and alternatives.
Understanding Wild Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a category of fungi and they occur in different habitats worldwide. There are some that have edible versions often used for cooking, whereas other include toxic foods that can be in risk to health and life both to human beings as well animals. However, wild mushrooms are frequently located in nonagriculture areas like forests, parks and gardens or even backyards.
Wild mushrooms can look a lot different than their cultivated counterparts when fresh, in terms of color, size, shape, and even texture. It is this diversity that makes it hard for the layperson to differentiate between types they can eat and those than will have toxic effects. This similarity means that even the most experienced of mushroom hunters may struggle to identify all mushrooms correctly, making it rather dangerous for someone not in trained or has enough expertise.
Can Cats Eat Wild Mushrooms?
In short no, cats should never eat wild mushrooms. Some mushrooms, namely the ones widely sold for human consumption, are safe to eat and not harmful at all; however many wild variety of them is highly toxic that can kill cats faster than you could imagine. Cats do not have the enzymes needed to metabolize specific compounds present in toxic mushrooms, explaining why they are so prone when it comes to poisonous mushroom intoxication.
But Why Are Wild Mushrooms So Bad for Cats?
Certain compounds within wild mushrooms can be extremely toxic to cats. Below you will find some of the more dangerous phytotoxins found in wild mushrooms.
Amanitins: These bulid up in Amanita species such as the death cap and destroying angel. Amanitins blocking RNA polymerase II >blocking an enzyme involved with cell function leading to liver & kidney failure.
Muscarine: This toxin of species like Inocybe and Clitocybe has effects on the parasympathetic nervous system that cause symptoms such as salivation, vomiting, diarrhea and respiratory failure in extreme cases.
Ibotenic Acid and Muscimol are naturally occurring compounds in the Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) mushroom that cause hallucinations, seizures and other neurological symptoms.
Psilocybin: A substance you can see in so-called Magic Mushrooms may cause behavioral changes, hallucinations and serotonin syndrome in cats.
Gyromitrin: Found in false morels (species of Gyromitra), this toxin is metabolized into monomethylhydrazine after ingestion, causing neurological symptoms and gastrointestinal distress.
occurring in some Cortinarius species, orellanine is a nephrotoxic and can cause late-onset severe kidney damage leading to renal failure.
Clinical Signs of Mushroom Poisoning in Cats
The exact symptoms of Toxic Mushrooms will depend on the specific mushrooms and how much your cat consumed. Symptoms of Mushroom Poisoning in Cats
Gastrointestinal: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain Excessive salivation is a common sign of mushroom poisoning.
Neurological Symptoms – Disorientation, Ataxia (loss of coordination), tremors and Seizures or in severe cases coma.
Hepatotoxicity (Liver): Amanita toxins can cause hepatomegaly or liver failure, clinical signs of hepatic injury include icterus (yellowing), depression, anorexia and occasionally polyuria/polydypsia.
These include respiratory symptoms like dyspnea, wheezing and acute respiratory failure that are more common in muscarine poisoning.
Changes in Behavior: Psilocybin mushrooms that cause hallucinations can lead to abnormal or agitated behavior, inability to hold a conversation with other people as well as unresponsiveness.
What If My Cat Eats a Wild Mushroom
If your cat has eaten a wild mushroom it is imperative you move quickly. Here’s what you should do:
Remove Your Cat from the Area: You should immediately remove your cat from around those mushrooms to keep it from eating more.
Recognize the Mushroom: If you can, snap a picture of the mushroom or gather it to take with along (wearing gloves) for your veterinarian. They will be identified to define the best set of treatment
Call Your Veterinarian: put your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic on the phone in Southampton as soon as possible. Detail the situation, symptoms your cat is showing and what type of mushroom or fungi they have eaten if you know.
Vomiting: Only induce vomiting if you have spoken to a veterinarian and the mushroom ingested is highly toxic, as some believe it can cause more harm than good in others.
Just keep in mind to follow the advice of your vet — they may suggest that you bring your cat or kitten if needed. The available treatment options are administering activated charcoal to soothe the toxicants, and intravenous fluids to eliminate from processing drugs and medications for symptom management.
Keeping Cats from Mushroom Poisoning
The most important thing that you can do to protect your kitten from mushroom poisoning is: prevention. However, here are a few things you can do to keep your furry friend safe:
Routine yard care: Inspect your lawn regularly for any mushrooms that might pop up and remove them. This limits the likelihood that you’ll run into highly-toxic wild mushrooms with your cat.
Supervised Outdoor Time: If your cat enjoys outdoor adventures, try offering up some supervised time in the backyard (or consider a catio for something more permanent).
Keep any indoor-only cats indoors — this is the most effective means of preventing mushroom toxicity and other environmental hazards for a cat. Help your indoor cat to not get bored by giving her enrichment activities and safe toys.
Get Educated: Know what common toxic mushroom species exist in your region. Knowing this will allow you to locate and take out the potentially harmful mushrooms before they are found by your cat.
Leash or Harness: If you and your cat like to take strolls outside, use a leash or harness; this will keep them close to home so they won’t roam areas where wild mushrooms may sprout.
But can cats eat store-bought mushrooms safely?
Although cats should never eat wild mushrooms, cooked store-bought mushrooms are usually OK in moderation. Cats, however, are obligate carnivores and as such meat should make up the majority of their diet. Cats do not get much nutritional benefit from mushrooms, and eating too many can cause stomach upset.
IF, however, you decide to give your cat a piece of mushroom, make it cooked and plain without any additional seasonings or oils/sauces that might cause him harm. Make sure to always implement new foods slowly and observe your cat accordingly in case of digestive upset or allergies.
Mushroom Substitutes for Cats
There are still lots of other safe and healthy treats to give your cat, instead of mushrooms. Cat-friendly Foods
Other Cat Recipe — Cooked Meat: A few little pieces of cooked hamburger, turkey, or chicken can be a tasty and protein-rich tidbit for your cat.
Fish A small piece of cooked fish (salmon, tuna) can make a tasty and healthy snack. Remove all bones and avoid feeding fish too much to prevent mercury poisoning.
Catnip: If your cat likes it, you can use these to provide entertainment stimulation without the possibility of poisoning.
Store-Bought Cat Treats: Many cat treats on the store shelves are safe and healthy for cats. Seek treats that have all-natural ingredients and little to no artificial fillers.
Vegetables — Some cats like nibbling on safe vegetables, such as cooked carrots or peas (I used to raise a cat who would beg for them) and canned pumpkin. These can be given in moderation as a small treat.
Conclusion
Though maybe not as well-known, wild mushrooms can present a real threat to cats because of their potential toxicity. Certainly cats are not as prone to eating non-food items like dogs but their natural curiosity and inclination chew on specific plants, including fungi becomes an opportunity of accidental ingestion. Wild Mushrooms: What a Cat Parent Needs to Know as a Responsible Owner
If you think your cat has eaten a wild mushroom, get it to the vet as soon as possible for optimal prognosis. If you practice precaution and offer safe alternatives, your cat will be in the clear from harm of mushroom poisoning.
