If your dog just ate a mushroom you weren’t expecting them to find, your first thought may be, “Wait - is that dangerous?” If it was a magic mushroom, the answer is yes.

The bottom line is - magic mushrooms are not safe for dogs and can cause potentially serious effects. Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a psychoactive compound that can cause significant changes in a dog's behavior and nervous system. While the effects can vary from dog to dog, a suspected exposure isn't something to ignore or wait out at home.

In this guide, we'll explain what can happen when a dog eats magic mushrooms, the signs of psilocybin toxicity to watch for, and when it's time to head to the nearest VEG ER For Pets.

What are magic mushrooms? 

Magic mushrooms, also called shrooms, psychedelic mushrooms, or hallucinogenic mushrooms, are mushrooms that contain psilocybin and/or psilocin. These naturally occurring compounds affect the central nervous system and can cause altered perception and behavior.

Just like humans, dogs can also experience significant neurologic effects after ingesting psilocybin. The severity of the effects can vary depending on several factors, including the amount consumed, the concentration of psilocybin, the dog's size, and whether other substances were ingested at the same time. Because it can be difficult to know exactly how much of the substance a dog has consumed, pet owners should not try to determine a “safe” amount at home.

Are psychedelic mushrooms toxic to dogs?

Yes - psilocybin can cause toxicity in dogs. After ingestion, a dog may develop changes in behavior, awareness, coordination, and other neurologic functions.

It is also important to distinguish magic mushrooms from edible grocery-store mushrooms. You can read our Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? guide to learn which varieties are generally considered safe and which should always be avoided.

Not all mushrooms are toxic to dogs, but psychedelic mushrooms are never considered safe. Dogs can also be exposed by eating products made with psychedelic mushrooms, rather than the mushrooms themselves. If your dog has ingested any product containing magic mushrooms, tell your vet exactly what the product was and bring the packaging with you if possible.

If your dog has ingested any product containing magic mushrooms, tell your vet exactly what the product was.

Signs of psilocybin toxicity in dogs

Signs of magic mushroom toxicity can develop relatively quickly after ingestion. Your dog may simply seem different than normal, or you may notice more obvious changes.

Signs can include:

• Disorientation or stumbling

• Agitation, anxiety, or restlessness

• Unusual vocalization

• Dilated pupils

• Increased heart rate

• High temperature

Because psilocybin affects the nervous system, a dog experiencing toxicity may behave unpredictably. A dog that is disoriented or uncoordinated can also be at risk of injury.

What do I do if my dog eats shrooms?

If you know or suspect that your dog has eaten magic mushrooms, take the following steps:

Remove access to the mushrooms.

Make sure your dog cannot eat any more of the mushrooms or products containing them.

Save what remains.

If you can, save the remaining mushrooms, packaging, or product container. A photo may also be helpful if you cannot safely bring the material with you.

Determine what you can about the exposure.

Try to estimate how much your dog may have eaten and when the ingestion occurred. Let your veterinarian know if you are unsure of the type of mushroom.

Contact VEG ER For Pets.

Don't wait for your dog to develop severe symptoms before seeking advice. Early veterinary guidance can help determine the safest next steps.

Do not induce vomiting.

If your dog is already experiencing neurologic effects, inducing vomiting can create additional risks, including the possibility of inhaling vomit.

When is magic mushroom ingestion an emergency?

Suspected ingestion of magic mushrooms should be taken seriously, even if your dog initially appears normal. Contact your vet or an emergency veterinary hospital for guidance as soon as possible.

If your dog is already showing signs of toxicity, emergency veterinary care is especially important. Seek immediate care if your dog develops:

• Severe disorientation or abnormal behavior

• Tremors or seizures

• Significant difficulty walking or standing

• Extreme agitation

• Difficulty breathing

• Rapidly worsening symptoms

Don't wait for symptoms to become severe before getting help. A veterinary team can monitor your dog's neurologic and physical status and provide treatment if needed.

How is psilocybin toxicity treated in dogs?

There is no simple at-home treatment for psilocybin toxicity. At an emergency veterinary hospital, treatment is focused on controlling symptoms and supporting your dog while the substance is metabolized and eliminated from the body.

Depending on the timing of the exposure and your dog's condition, treatment may include decontamination, IV fluids, medications to control agitation or tremors, seizure management, and temperature support.

Your dog's heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, body temperature, and neurologic status will also be closely monitored. Treatment depends on what your dog consumed, how much they consumed, when the ingestion occurred, and what symptoms they are experiencing.

If an unidentified mushroom was eaten, your veterinarian may also need to consider other types of mushroom toxicity. Some wild mushrooms contain toxins that can cause severe organ damage, so identifying the mushroom can be important whenever possible.

When you visit the ER for psilocybin toxicity, your dog's heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, body temperature, and neurologic status will be closely monitored.

Frequently asked questions about magic mushrooms and dogs

How long does it take psilocybin to pass through a dog's body?

The effects of psilocybin are generally short-lived in dogs. Signs of toxicity typically begin within 30 minutes to 1 hour after ingestion, although they can occasionally take up to 3 hours to appear. Most dogs recover within approximately 6 - 24 hours, depending on the amount ingested and the severity of their symptoms.

Even though the effects may be relatively short-lived, don't wait for symptoms to appear before contacting a veterinarian.

Can a dog overdose on magic mushrooms?

A severe psilocybin exposure can be dangerous for dogs, but death from psilocybin itself appears to be uncommon. Most dogs with psilocybin toxicity recover with timely care. However, severe neurologic effects - including tremors, seizures, significant changes in body temperature, or cardiovascular abnormalities - can occur and may require emergency treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.

What if I don't know what kind of mushroom my dog ate?

Unknown mushroom ingestion can be especially concerning because some wild mushrooms contain toxins that can cause severe or even life-threatening illness. If you don't know what type of mushroom your dog ate, contact an emergency veterinarian right away. If you can safely do so, bring a sample of the mushroom or a clear photo with you to help the veterinary team identify what your dog may have consumed.

VEG is here for you 24/7 if your dog ate shrooms

If your dog has gotten into recreational substances like shrooms or marijuana, you're not alone - these types of accidental exposures are more common than many pet owners realize. At VEG, our emergency teams have seen it all, and our priority is your pet - not judgment. Whether your dog got into something accidentally or you aren't sure exactly what they consumed, it’s safest to call or come in and let us help determine the best next step. The sooner your dog gets evaluated, the better and faster its recovery will be!