Autumn can be a lovely time for humans but a potentially fatal season for their pet pooches.
Autumn may be a lovely time for humans, with leaves turning orange, whisperings of Halloween starting to spread, and the nights turning cooler, making for cosy evenings in. But for dogs, the season can be potentially dangerous.
It may not be something owners are aware of, if at all, but damp weather creates the perfect conditions for wild mushrooms to thrive across the UK.
And with that in mind, experts are urging pet owners to stay vigilant on seasonal walks or face a £5,000 vets bill. Soggy weather encourages wild mushrooms to flourish, and dog owners are being warned to take extra care on seasonal walks.
Not only can certain fungi be deadly, but treating poisoning can also leave owners facing vet bills of up to £5,000.
This is an unsightly amount that most cannot afford to spare.
While many mushrooms are harmless, several common wild varieties found across the UK can be deadly to dogs.
Just a small bite of the wrong mushroom can cause severe illness or even prove fatal.
“Autumn walks are one of the highlights of the year for many dogs and their owners,” Michael Nelson, dog expert at Kennel Store, explained.
“But this is also peak mushroom season, and the risks should not be underestimated. Even experienced foragers struggle to tell poisonous and safe mushrooms apart, so it is safest to assume all wild mushrooms are dangerous.”
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning
Dogs that have eaten toxic mushrooms may show signs within hours or, in some cases, days. Warning signs include:
Vomiting, diarrhoea, or droolingAbdominal pain or collapseSeizures or disorientationJaundice or yellowing of the eyes and gums
“If you suspect your dog has eaten a wild mushroom on a walk, call your vet immediately,” Michael said. “Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop. If it is safe to do so, take a photo or sample of the mushroom to help with diagnosis.”
How to prevent poisoning on autumn walks
Keep dogs on a lead in woodland, parks, or damp areas where mushrooms grow.Stay vigilant on grassy verges and shaded paths, as fungi often appear overnight.Consider a muzzle for dogs that are prone to scavenging.Remove mushrooms from your garden as soon as they appear.
It comes after a vet slapped pet owners with a warning about the dangers of a particular vegetable. Haven Veterinary Group in Hull had to carry out life-saving surgery on a dog after he consumed an entire corn on the cob.
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Roman, a Cocker Spaniel, gobbled down the vegetable whole at his home in 2024 before his owners could intervene. His worried family rushed him to Haven, where he required an emergency operation.
Although the vegetable is not poisonous for dogs, its hard core cannot be digested and could lead to internal blockages in the stomach which may prove fatal.
Owners should be extra vigilant when dogs are around food, such as in the kitchen or at a barbecue, and ensure that the pets don’t eat waste that could be lethal.
