Can dogs eat Morel mushrooms?

Overview

Can dogs eat morel mushrooms? Yes, morels are nontoxic to dogs, making them safe for canine consumption. Morels mushrooms provide a variety of nutrients to dogs, including iron, phosphorous, and zinc. But make sure to know the difference between morels and their look-alike mushrooms, which some are toxic to dogs.

Benefits

Morels are non-toxic, edible mushrooms with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-oxidative properties for dogs. Morels' nutritional profile will vary depending on the soil they grow in, but generally, morels are rich in iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. These essential minerals help keep a dog's organ and metabolic processes working optimally.

Risks

Excessive consumption of morels may cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
Morels have poisonous lookalikes, such as verpa bohemica, gyromitra, and verpa conica. They are toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, dizziness, and fatal results in severe cases.

Servings

Soak the morels in warm salt water for 20 minutes, then wash and remove the dirt and impurities.
Cook the morels without seasoning. They can be roasted, boiled, or sautéed.
Morel mushrooms should be given to dogs in moderation as an occasional treat.