Can Cats Eat Mushrooms?

Yes, cats can have a small amount of plain, store-bought mushrooms. Common grocery-store varieties, such as white button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms, are generally considered safe when they’re fully cooked and served plain. 

The key word is plain. Many mushroom dishes are prepared with butter, oils, garlic, onion, cream sauces, or seasoning blends that can upset your cat’s stomach—or, in the case of garlic and onion, be toxic.  

Wild mushrooms are an even bigger concern because some varieties are toxic, and it can be nearly impossible to tell the difference just by looking at them. 

Mushrooms aren’t especially good for cats, but they do have a few modest nutritional perks.  

Mushrooms contain: 

• Fiber: Fiber helps support normal digestion and healthy bowel movements, but the amount a cat can safely eat is generally too small to have a meaningful effect. 
• Vitamins and minerals: Mushrooms contain nutrients like B vitamins, potassium, and selenium, which help support your cat’s overall health. That said, cats should get the bulk of those nutrients from a complete and balanced cat food rather than vegetables. 
• Water content: Fresh mushrooms contain a lot of water, which can add a little extra moisture to your cat’s diet. This can be helpful for cats who don’t drink water regularly. 

Mushrooms can be bad for cats if they’re wild, heavily seasoned, or served in a rich dish. 

Here are the biggest concerns: 

• Wild mushrooms: Some wild mushrooms are toxic to cats, so it’s safest to consider any outdoor mushroom off limits. 
• Rich preparations: Mushrooms cooked in butter, cream, or oil have extra fat and calories that can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach, especially in cats with sensitive stomachs. 
• Seasonings: Garlic, onion, sauces, and spice blends can irritate a cat’s stomach or even be toxic to cats. 

Make sure all treats, including mushrooms, make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. It’s best to give your cat just a small bite or two of plain mushroom, no more than once or twice a week. 

If your cat is curious about mushrooms, a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping snack time safe. Stick to these simple guidelines: 

• Use plain store-bought mushrooms only. 
• Make sure they’re fresh and free of mold. 
• Cook them fully and serve them plain. Skip butter, oil, garlic, onion, salt, and sauces. 
• Cut them into small pieces. 

If your cat ate mushrooms, the next step depends on what kind they were and how they were prepared. 

Watch for the following signs: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Low appetite 
• Lethargy 

Call your veterinarian right away if: 

• The mushroom may have been wild. 
• Symptoms are severe and don’t go away within 24 hours. 
• The mushrooms were cooked with garlic, onion, butter, or heavy sauce. 
• Your cat ate a large amount. 
• Your cat doesn’t eat their normal food within 24 hours. 

If there’s any chance the mushroom was wild and you can’t reach your veterinarian right away, you can also call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). They’ll tell you if you should bring your cat to the emergency vet. 

Can cats eat cooked mushrooms? 

Yes, cats can eat plain cooked mushrooms in small amounts. White button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms are all safe options. 

Are mushrooms safe for cats? 

All plain, store-bought mushrooms are safe for cats, as long as they’re not mixed with potentially harmful ingredients. Stay away from wild mushrooms, which can be toxic. 

Can cats eat wild mushrooms? 

No, cats shouldn’t eat wild mushrooms. Some varieties are poisonous, and it can be hard to tell safe and unsafe mushrooms apart. Stick to store-bought versions only. 

Can kittens eat mushrooms? 

No, it’s best to keep mushrooms away from kittens. Kittens have very specific nutritional needs and they need a balanced kitten food to grow up healthy. Try not to give them human foods until they’re at least a year old.