Puppy Training Program

Mushroom Poisoning

Learn about dangerous mushrooms threats to your dog and how to mitigate their threat.

By Dr. Gayle Watkins, PhD

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public and make it simple for people to get dogs from good sources and for reputable breeders, shelters and rescues to put their dogs in good homes.

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public and make it simple for people to get dogs from good sources and for reputable breeders, shelters and rescues to put their dogs in good homes.

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public and make it simple for people to get dogs from good sources and for reputable breeders, shelters and rescues to put their dogs in good homes.

Avoiding Mushroom Poisoning in Your Dog

  • Remove mushrooms from areas your dog spends time in, especially yards
  • Watch your dog carefully in areas with mushrooms. Stop it from eating or playing with them.
  • Learn to identify mushrooms in your area through classes. Facebook or websites like iNaturalist (see below)
  • Have Amatoxtest test lots on hand at home and on walks. Tests for alpha-amanitin in amanita and galerina mushrooms. Learn to use the kits before you need them.

If your dog eats a mushroom

  • Try to remove as much as you can from its mouth. Be careful and wash your hands as well soon afterwards.
  • Take photos of the mushrooms or one like it nearby
  • Collect the roots, step, and cap of the mushroom or one like it
  • Note what the mushroom was growing on or in (soil, rotting log, etc.)
  • Contact Poison Control if you cannot quickly identify the mushroom (888) 426-4435
  • By the time symptoms appear, the damage is often too far along. Don't wait!

Amanita and Galerina Mushrooms: deadly to dogs

Quick Resources

Dr. Gayle Watkins, PhD is the Founder of Avidog, the leading educational platform for dog breeders and puppy owners, and Gaylan's Golden Retrievers, her 40-year breeding program. Today, Gayle is the only golden retriever AKC Gold Breeder of Merit, and is a three-time AKC “Breeder of the Year.”