My cat ate mushrooms – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Mushroom toxins can affect pets within 15–30 minutes or may not produce signs for up to 24 hours.

What to do now

What to do right now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet
Note what was eaten, how much and when
Bring the packaging
Remove what is left
Keep your cat calm

Don't

Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to
Do not give any human medicine

Why it can be dangerous

Only a small percentage of mushrooms is considered toxic, but accurate mushroom identification is difficult and should be left to experts.^[1] Some mushrooms may cause severe effects.^[1]

Signs to watch for

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Tremors
Seizures
Loss of appetite
Poor coordination
Disorientation
Liver failure

Some mushroom toxins affect pets within 15–30 minutes, while others may not produce signs for up to 24 hours.

Where it is found

Throughout the United States

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

How much mushroom is dangerous?

Only a small percentage of mushrooms is considered toxic, and accurate mushroom identification is difficult and should be left to experts.^[1]

Which signs should I watch for?

Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, loss of appetite, poor coordination, disorientation and liver failure.

How soon can signs start?