Can Cats Eat Mushrooms?

Yes, plain store-bought mushrooms are generally not toxic to cats, but wild mushrooms can be dangerous or even deadly. Because cats do not need mushrooms in their diet, it is safest to avoid offering them and call your vet right away if your cat ate a wild or unknown mushroom.

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Urgent

Store-bought mushrooms may be okay. Wild mushrooms are unsafe.

Plain mushrooms sold for human food are generally considered non-toxic to pets, including cats, but wild mushrooms can cause severe stomach upset, breathing problems, seizures, liver or kidney damage, and death. Since cats are obligate carnivores and get no essential benefit from mushrooms, they are best avoided except for an occasional tiny bite of plain cooked store-bought mushroom.

How urgent is this?

Emergency

Go to the ER now

  • ● Cat ate a wild or unidentified mushroom
  • ● Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, trouble breathing, tremors, weakness, or seizures after eating a mushroom
  • ● Signs of collapse, extreme lethargy, unsteadiness, or loss of consciousness
  • ● Yellow gums, yellow eyes, or dark urine after possible mushroom exposure
Urgent

See a vet within 24 hours

  • ● Cat ate a mushroom from a yard, garden, woods, or houseplant pot and seems normal so far
  • ● Cat ate mushrooms from pizza, soup, stir-fry, or another dish containing garlic, onion, butter, cream, or heavy seasoning
  • ● You found chewed mushroom pieces but are not sure how much your cat swallowed
  • ● Mild vomiting or diarrhea after eating store-bought mushrooms
Monitor

Watch at home, call if it worsens

  • ● Cat licked or ate a very small amount of plain cooked store-bought mushroom and is acting completely normal
  • ● Cat sniffed or mouthed a mushroom but did not appear to swallow it
  • ● Minor stomach upset after a tiny amount of plain mushroom, with symptoms resolving quickly

How to Safely Feed Mushrooms to Your Cat

Mushrooms are not a necessary food for cats. If you choose to offer any, only use plain, store-bought edible mushrooms and keep the portion very small.

  • Only offer mushrooms purchased for human consumption, never wild-foraged mushrooms
  • Serve them plain and fully cooked, without garlic, onion, salt, butter, oils, sauces, or seasoning
  • Give only a tiny bite-sized amount as an occasional treat, not a regular part of the diet
  • Avoid mushroom-containing foods like pizza, soups, casseroles, and takeout dishes because added ingredients may be more dangerous than the mushroom itself
  • If your cat eats any wild or unknown mushroom, call your vet immediately and bring a photo or sample if you can do so safely
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Common Questions

Are any mushrooms safe for cats?
Plain edible mushrooms from the grocery store are generally considered non-toxic to pets, including cats. However, cats are obligate carnivores and do not need mushrooms nutritionally, so even safe mushrooms should only be offered as a tiny occasional treat, if at all.
Why are wild mushrooms such a big concern for cats?
Wild mushrooms are hard to identify, and some toxic species can cause severe gastrointestinal signs, breathing difficulty, seizures, liver failure, kidney injury, or death. Dangerous toxins in poisonous mushrooms can affect the liver, kidneys, or nervous system, and some signs may be delayed for hours.
How is mushroom risk different in cats versus dogs?
The biggest difference is usually exposure pattern, not that cats are uniquely protected. Dogs are more commonly poisoned because they are more likely to eat things indiscriminately, while cats are often more selective. But cats can still become seriously ill from wild mushrooms, and because they are smaller and more sensitive to many toxins overall, any wild mushroom ingestion should be taken seriously.
What symptoms can mushroom poisoning cause in cats?
Symptoms vary by mushroom species but can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, weakness, wobbliness, tremors, seizures, unusual behavior, and later liver or kidney problems such as jaundice or increased thirst. Some toxic mushrooms cause signs within 30 minutes to 2 hours, while others may not cause obvious illness for 6 to 24 hours or longer.
Can cats eat mushrooms on pizza or in soup?
That is not recommended. While the mushroom itself may be non-toxic if it is a standard store-bought type, foods like pizza, soups, gravies, and stir-fries often contain onion, garlic, cream, salt, or other ingredients that are unhealthy or toxic for cats. If your cat ate a prepared mushroom dish, call your vet for guidance.

Sources

  1. Overview of Mushrooms Toxic to Animals — Merck Veterinary Manual
  2. Toxin Latent Period ≤3 Hours After Ingestion of Mushrooms — Merck Veterinary Manual
  3. The Fungus Among Us: Mushroom Toxicosis — ASPCA
  4. Can Cats Eat Mushrooms? Store-Bought vs Wild Safety — SpectrumCare

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.

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