Mushrooms and Muzzles

J

Jan Henshaw

Forums Regular
Oh boy. I am in a dilemma. My 11 week old Maddie wants to eat everything she sees outside, including mushrooms. She is fast. Even when she is on a leash she sees the mushroom before I do. I have pulled so many mushrooms out of her mouth. In our fenced-in part of the yard where I allow her to run free, I follow her closely. It is exhausting. We live in a damp, wooded area, so there are mushrooms galore. Twice a day I patrol the yard and pick up mushrooms. Just this morning I picked up over 30 mushrooms. She can still find them. My question is, has anyone used a muzzle for times like these? If so, what kind? I hate to think using a muzzle, but I would rather have her uncomfortable and alive, then dead.
 
Wow! That is quite the predicament! I have never had to use a muzzle on my dog’s so I can’t offer any recommendations. However, I know others on this forum have used them so I hope someone will chime in to give you some muzzle recommendations.
 
Wow that is a LOT of mushrooms. It would worry me too. I pick them out of our yard but they are only a few at a time. You are right to be concerned. Is there a way you can temporarily fence off part of your yard to make a safe play zone or potty zone for her? Just some stakes and plastic fencing or chicken wire would work for now. I have not ever tried a muzzle so I don't know about that. They do make masks though that look like a horse's fly mask - it is supposed to keep dogs from inhaling foxtail stickers here which are awful.
 
Ahhhh puppies, they do want to eat everything and I can certainly understand your concern. Do you have a place where you could have these mushrooms tested or is there someone who can tell you if these are ok for humans to eat? The reason I ask is because if a mushroom is ok for us they're ok for dogs...if you can eat them (not that you would) then you don't have to worry about Maddie.
I find mushrooms in my yard also and pick them so the dogs won't eat them also (but not that many), fortunately the weather is cooling off so I'm not finding anymore.
 
I have tried so many different muzzles for Tully, she eats dirt and makes herself sick. Small head, long nose and too much fluff - these are not things catered for by muzzle makers! They were off in two seconds. I know some people who use the full head ones, outfox is one of the brands. On walks, if there is going to be food on the ground Tully wears a gentle leader head collar so she can't put her head down.

Have you thought of putting fake grass or other matting down in the dog toilet area? Maybe some tan bark? I've got that on my list to do - stop Tully eating dirt and puppy digging trenches.
 
Diana Mccly said:
Can you share a pic of the mushrooms? And your location? I might have a way to see if they are safe.
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Thank you Diana. We have all sorts of mushrooms here - I live in Massachusetts. Last month Maddie ingested an inocybe (one of the most poisonous mushrooms) and I had to take her to the emergency vet. She's okay now. Janet. By the way, for everyone's reference, there is a Facebook group of extremely competent administrators who can identify poisonous plants and fungi. It's called Poisons Help; Emergency Identification For Mushrooms & Plants. They are fantastic - you post pictures of the "offender", location, and habitat and within minutes, they will respond. The ASPCA poisons hotline recommended them to me.
 
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Jan Henshaw said:
Thank you Diana. We have all sorts of mushrooms here - I live in Massachusetts. Last month Maddie ingested an inocybe (one of the most poisonous mushrooms) and I had to take her to the emergency vet. She's okay now. Janet. By the way, for everyone's reference, there is a Facebook group of extremely competent administrators who can identify poisonous plants and fungi. It's called Poisons Help; Emergency Identification For Mushrooms & Plants. They are fantastic - you post pictures of the "offender", location, and habitat and within minutes, they will respond. The ASPCA poisons hotline recommended them to me.
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I am so glad she was ok! This sounds like a great group! There is also national snakebite support and they will help with dogs! I printed out some of their information sheets to have on hand because we live in the south and I worry about snakes. https://www.facebook.com/groups/national.snakebite.support/?ref=share
 
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