Why Are Cats So Attracted To Mushrooms?

If you are a cat owner, you probably already know that cats are obligate carnivores and thrive on meat in their diet. With that said, you may think mushrooms are unnecessary in your cat's diet. You are absolutely right, but you will be surprised to hear that some cats will show a desire for this food. If you want to give your cat some mushrooms first thing you need to know is: can cats eat mushrooms?, and are mushrooms safe for your cat? Stay with us and find out everything about mushrooms and cats.

Can cats eat mushrooms?

In general – yes, cats can eat mushrooms. Most of the store-bought mushrooms will be safe for your cat to consume. You must be sure that you only share safe mushrooms with your cat. Wild mushrooms should be avoided since they could be dangerous and potentially poisonous.

Why do cats like mushrooms?

Like we already said, cats are obligate carnivores, and you may wonder why your cat would like to have a bite of mushrooms. It is a widely known fact that cats can't taste sweet food, but they can, however, taste umami flavors. Mushrooms contain amino acids, and umami flavors can be found in amino acids. So that is your answer why. Cats want mushrooms because they like the taste.

Are mushrooms safe for cats to consume?

Most store-bought mushrooms are safe for cats to consume. Of course, only in moderation. If you overfeed your cat even with safe mushrooms, your cat could experience some health problems, including stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cats can safely consume mushrooms, but they will not offer any nutritional benefit to your cat. Most cat food contains every important ingredient for your cat. If your cat seems to enjoy eating mushrooms, you can give her some as an occasional snack.

Wild mushrooms are a big no when it comes to feeding cats. You should avoid them because they can be very poisonous to your cat.

Health issues with wild mushrooms

If your cat ingests even a small amount of wild mushroom, she could have many health problems and even experience poisoning. Not all wild mushrooms are poisonous, but it is better that you not take a chance with your cat. If you see wild mushrooms, you should avoid them.

If your cat, however, managed to ingest some wild mushrooms, you should closely monitor your cat and watch for symptoms of mushroom poisoning.

cat and mushrooms

Mushroom poisoning symptoms include:

Gastrointestinal problems
Liver toxicity
Tremors
Disorientation
Lack of coordination
Seizures
Excessive drooling
Sensitivity to light and sounds
Decreased heath rate

If you suspect that your cat has eaten some of the wild mushrooms, you should immediately call your vet and ask for advice. Some vets will recommend watching for symptoms, while others can suggest that you bring your cat to the vet clinic. The faster you take action, the better your cat's chances of recovery.

Should you feed your cat mushrooms?

This is entirely up to you. Cats can eat store-bought mushrooms, and if you notice that your cat likes the taste, there is no reason why you shouldn’t give some of the mushrooms to your cat to spice up their diet. Make sure that you only feed your cat in moderation with mushrooms. The best thing you can do is to treat mushrooms as a treat your cat can have from time to time.

Mushrooms will not offer nutritional value to your cat, but if your cat enjoys eating them, you can make her happy by giving her some mushrooms.

World Cat Finder Team

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