Don't Eat The 'Shrooms

Our Bentley

After a terrifying seizure, concerns of cancer or brain tumor, weeks of waiting, and so many prayers — we finally got the news we were hoping for: Bentley’s bloodwork is normal and the vet says he’s fine.

I can finally breathe again.

While we may never know for sure what caused the seizure, all signs point to one thing: toxic mushrooms growing in our yard.

These mushrooms were hidden in the grass, nothing that would have stood out at first glance. But after finding several clumps of them and doing some digging, we learned they were blue-staining boletes — mushrooms with red stems, yellow pores, and deep blue bruising when touched or broken. Some species in this group can be extremely toxic to dogs, causing symptoms like vomiting, tremors, or seizures — exactly what Bentley experienced.

I’m sharing this because I had no idea how dangerous these could be, and I don’t want another dog owner to go through what we just did.

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Toxic Mushroom Alert

These mushrooms are suspected to be toxic blue-staining boletes (like Rubroboletus pulcherrimus or Boletus sensibilis).

Signs to watch for:

• Red/pinkish stems

• Yellow pores under the cap

• Deep blue bruising when damaged

• Grows in grassy areas or near trees, often after rain

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Mushroom Prevention Plan

1. Remove all mushrooms

• Use gloves, pick by hand, bag them tightly, and toss in the trash.

• Don’t mow over them — that spreads spores.

2. De-thatch and aerate

• Break up thatch and compacted soil to reduce fungal growth.

3. Cut back on moisture

• Water in the early morning only and fix any standing water areas.

4. Eliminate organic debris

• Water in the early morning only and fix any standing water areas. 

5. Increase sunlight

• Trim trees and overgrown shady areas where mushrooms love to hide.

6. Optional: Apply nitrogen fertilizer

• A small dose helps break down mushroom food sources.

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Reminder:

These mushrooms can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or seizures in dogs. If you suspect your dog ate one, contact your vet or call ASPCA Poison Control:

 888-426-4435

Please feel free to share this to spread awareness.