My dog ate a mushroom in the garden, what should I do?

Thousands of mushroom species grow in gardens, parks and woods, and many look almost identical. Even experienced foragers make mistakes. Some toxic species cause vomiting within an hour or two; others, like the death cap (Amanita phalloides), may cause nothing obvious for 6 to 24 hours before liver damage becomes serious.

A dog that seems to recover from a bout of vomiting can still be heading into a dangerous phase.

If it is safe to do so, wear gloves and pick a few of the same mushrooms, including the base of the stem. Put them in a paper bag or wrap them in paper, not plastic, which makes them sweat and rot. Take photos of the top, underside and stem, and of where they were growing.

Note the time your dog ate them and roughly how many. Bring everything with you.

Depending on the species, signs may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, stumbling, tremors, seizures, unusual agitation or sleepiness, yellowing of the gums or eyes, and collapse. Do not try to make your dog sick at home or give any remedy. Your vet will decide on the right treatment.

Mushrooms often appear overnight after rain, especially in autumn. Check the lawn before letting your dog out, remove mushrooms as they appear, and dispose of them in a closed bin. Teaching a reliable leave it cue also helps on walks through woodland and parks.