Cats can only eat this food if sourced from a specific place
One commonly googled question from pet owners is whether cats can eat mushrooms.
Cats can come into contact with mushrooms one of two ways; while wandering around outside or in the home when we're cooking or eating them.
The safety of the vegetable to cats depends on exactly where the mushroom came from.
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Most wild mushrooms are toxic to cats so if they eat any call your vet immediately. Getty
If it was sourced in the wild or they nibbled one growing in your backyard then you need to call the vet.
"Many wild mushrooms are toxic to cats, and even small amounts when eaten can be life-threatening," Dr Claire Jenkins, director of VetChat, a telehealth service for pets, tells 9honey Pets.
"The good news is that cats tend to be more discerning eaters than dogs, so they're generally less likely to eat wild mushrooms – but it's still important to keep them away from areas where mushrooms might grow."
Jenkins explains that vets' knowledge of mushroom poisoning comes from dogs because of the higher number of cases experienced by them.
"Symptoms vary depending on the type of mushroom eaten, but can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, and in severe cases, seizures, liver failure or even death. Prompt veterinary treatment is critical if you even suspect your cat has eaten a wild mushroom," she says.
If you suspect or see your cat eating a wild mushroom, collect it before heading to the vet. This makes it easier to identify what type of mushroom they have consumed.
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Store-bought mushrooms are safe for cats if unseasoned. Getty Images/iStockphoto
As for the mushrooms you buy at the supermarket and cook yourself, they are generally fine, with a few conditions.
"Plain, store-bought mushrooms (like white button mushrooms) that are cooked and unseasoned are likely safe in small amounts, but they are not necessary or recommended as part of a cat's diet," Jenkins.
While owners like to give their pets a taste of their meals to share in the experience, mushrooms aren't necessarily something your cats are that interested in, according to Jenkins.
If they do show any curiosity about mushrooms "this may be due to them sensing the high protein content – but we're not really sure."
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