Pet Safety Alert – Toxic Mushrooms

By Don Hanson, PCBC-A, BFRAP

< A version of this article was published in the AUG25 issue of Downeast Dog News>

< Updated 2025-07-06 >

< The link to this page –https://forcefreepets.com/petsafetyalert-mushrooms/ >

Toxic Mushrooms

A few summers ago, we had more than the typical amount of rain, and an abundance of mushrooms appeared in our backyard. I saw many species I had never seen before. While Muppy seemed to ignore them, I knew that poisonous mushrooms grew in Maine and that, at any time, any dog, including Muppy, might decide to try one as a snack. I carefully identified every fungus I found to ascertain that it was not toxic. However, knowing that the poisonous variety grows in Maine, I started addressing the topic in my Puppy and Rescue Headstart-ONLINE class.

Five deadly mushrooms can be found in the state of Maine. They include Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera), Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), Jack-O’-Lantern (Omphalotus illudens), False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta), and Green-Spored Parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites). Those in bold are deadly or potentially deadly.

Monitor your dog closely whenever they are in an area where mushrooms are growing. If you suspect they have ingested a mushroom that you do not know to be safe, seek medical attention immediately and, if possible, bring a sample or a photo of the mushroom.

In an interview with Maine Veterinary Medical Association President Kate Domenico on News Center Maine on July 12^th, 2023, Domenico stated, “While most dogs would ignore a mushroom, younger dogs might take interest.” In the same interview, North Spore’s Louis Giller said, “If your dog has eaten a mushroom, take photos of it if you can, and look around the area for similar-looking ones. I wouldn’t take chances with my dog… See if you can narrow down what it was they ate, and you can find one with high confidence a similar mushroom,”

For photos of some of these mushrooms, please check out the two articles written by my friend and colleague, Debbie Sheridan, for Pets and Their People.

Recommended Resources

Fungi Facts for You and Your Four-Legged Loved Ones (Part One) – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/pet-owners/pets-and-their-people/pets-and-their-people-blog/fungi-facts-for-you-and-your-four-legged-loved-ones-part-one/
Fungi Facts for You and Your Four-Legged Loved Ones (Part Two) – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/pet-owners/pets-and-their-people/pets-and-their-people-blog/fungi-facts-for-you-and-your-four-legged-loved-ones-part-two/

Other Resources

POISONOUS MUSHROOMS IN MAINE & HOW TO AVOID THEM – Greg Marley – https://mainelymushrooms.org/2020/05/10/poisonous-mushrooms-in-maine-how-to-avoid-them-greg-marley/
Common Wild Mushrooms in Maine: Edible & Poisonous – https://mainemushroomhub.com/mushrooms-in-maine/
11 POISONOUS Mushrooms found in Maine! (2025) – https://birdwatchinghq.com/poisonous-mushrooms-in-maine/
Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs – https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/mushroom-poisoning-in-dogs

Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB) and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), serving on the Board of Directors and Steering Committee and chairing the Advocacy Division. He is also a founding director of Pet Advocacy International (PIAI). In addition, Don produces and co-hosts The Woof Meow Show podcast, available at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts/, the Apple Podcast app, and this blog. The opinions in this article are those of Don Hanson.

Pet Safety Alert – Toxic Mushrooms