Thanks to their scavenging tendencies, it’s easy to think our canine friends can eat almost anything with no ill effects. However, there are several things that have the potential to make our pets very sick if they consume them. And one of those is mould. Today, we’re discussing the dangers of your pup eating mould and what to do if your dog ate mouldy food. We’ve also got some top tips for preventing them from ingesting it in the first place.
Why mouldy food is dangerous for dogs
We all know mould is something both we and our pets should avoid. But why is it so worrying if your dog ate mouldy food? Mould is a form of microscopic fungus that usually grows in damp and humid places. There are many varieties, not all of which are dangerous. For example, people use mould to make penicillin, blue cheese, and fermented foods like tempeh. However, other kinds are poisonous.
Toxic moulds produce substances called mycotoxins, which cause a range of health problems in humans and animals.(1) Different types of mycotoxins result in different symptoms. For instance, tremorgenic mycotoxins give rise to neurological issues like seizures and tremors, whereas aflatoxins damage the liver. We’ll talk more about the specific signs of mould poisoning in dogs below.
Mould can develop on both wet and dry dog food, though is more common in wet food. That’s because of the extra moisture it contains. Most of the time, it should be easy to spot dog food mould. You might notice a rancid smell, furry growths or dust, discolouration, or even bugs in the packet. Mould is more likely to grow during the summer, when the weather is hot and humid.
It's not only mouldy dog food you need to worry about. Mould also develops on human food, damp towels and toys, and the walls of your house. Outside, your pooch may encounter mould in compost piles, bins, or rotting fruit that’s fallen from trees. And unfortunately, our canine friends don’t understand that they should stay away from it! All of which means you might not spot your pup tucking into gone-off grub. So, how can you tell if your dog ate mouldy food?
Symptoms of mould poisoning in dogs
Mycotoxin poisoning causes a wide variety of unpleasant effects. The exact symptoms your pooch experiences and how quickly they develop will depend on a number of factors. These include the type of mould your mutt ate, how much they consumed, plus their age and overall health. The symptoms may last for several days, and they can be life-threatening if your pet doesn’t get veterinary treatment.
Some of the most common signs that your dog ate mouldy food are:
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Vomiting
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Diarrhoea
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Abdominal pain
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Fever
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Muscle tremors
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Seizures or convulsions
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Confusion or disorientation
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Restlessness
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Lethargy
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Vocalisation
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Jaundice
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Increased heart rate
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Panting
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Drooling
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Dehydration
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Appetite loss
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Collapse
It’s also possible for your pup to have a mould allergy. If this is the case, they may experience symptoms simply from inhaling mould spores. These include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, skin problems, nasal discharge, or difficulty breathing.
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your pet, take them to the vet immediately. Even if you don’t think your dog ate mouldy food, it’s better to be on the safe side. They might have got into the bin when you weren’t looking or encountered some mould outside on a walk. And if the symptoms are nothing to do with mould, it’s still important to get them checked out.
My dog ate mouldy food! What should I do?
If you know for definite that your dog ate mouldy food, the first step is not to panic. Remove the mouldy item so your pup can’t consume any more of it, then call your vet for advice. Depending on the specifics of the situation, they may recommend you come in for an emergency appointment right away.
Alternatively, they might suggest monitoring your pooch closely for the next few hours to see if any symptoms develop. As soon as you spot any signs of discomfort, like those mentioned above, contact your vet again. The quicker your pet gets treatment, the better the chances of them making a full recovery.
Your vet will want to know as much detail about the situation as possible. That includes what the mould was growing on and the amount of it your pup consumed. They could also ask you to bring a sample of it with you so they can test it. For example, if your dog ate mouldy bread, the vet might tell you to seal a slice of it in a bag. The more information you give them, the easier it should be to identify the mycotoxin causing the problem. This may affect the treatment they administer.
It’s tempting to think that making your pet vomit will get the mould out of their system. However, even if you know your dog ate mouldy food, don’t do this unless your vet explicitly advises it. Inducing vomiting can be risky, and there’s a potential for it to cause complications. And if your pup is already experiencing symptoms, it may be too late for vomiting to help.
What to expect at the vet
Going to the vet because your dog ate mouldy food is nerve-wracking, so let’s talk about what to expect. The specifics will vary depending on factors like the severity of your pet’s symptoms, so consider this a general overview.
The initial treatment will probably focus on eliminating the mycotoxins from your pooch’s body. That might involve inducing vomiting or conducting a gastric lavage. More commonly known as pumping the stomach, this is a procedure normally done under sedation or anaesthesia. It’s also likely that the vet will give your pup IV fluids and activated charcoal. The former keeps them hydrated and encourages the removal of toxins through urination. Meanwhile, activated charcoal binds to toxins and helps prevent them from being absorbed through the digestive system.
If your dog ate mouldy food and is experiencing severe symptoms as a result, the vet might administer some medication. For example, this could include drugs to manage seizures or support liver function. Be prepared that your pooch may have to stay at the vet overnight or come in for follow-up appointments.
Whatever happens, be sure to reassure your pup throughout their appointment – especially if they get nervous at the vet. Bringing their favourite blanket or toy should help them feel more relaxed. Don’t forget that animals can pick up on our stress, so try not to let them see that you’re worried.
After the appointment, the vet will advise you on how to look after your pet during their recovery. Take this opportunity to ask any questions you might have before you leave – they’ll be more than happy to help.
Top tips for helping your dog recover
The most important thing to do if your dog ate mouldy food is to take them to the vet. But what about afterwards? How can you ensure your beloved pup makes a full recovery as quickly as possible?
First and foremost, follow the advice from your vet. You may need to give your pooch medicine to manage their symptoms, or monitor them for signs of relapse. It’s also a good idea to make sure your mutt has access to plenty of fresh, clean water. This will be particularly important if they’ve lost fluids through vomiting or diarrhoea.
If your dog ate mouldy food, their digestive system is probably feeling a little delicate. As such, you’ll need to be careful about what you feed them for a few days. The vet might recommend a bland diet, such as plain cooked chicken and white rice or sweet potatoes. Giving your pup small, frequent meals instead of large ones may help avoid overwhelming their stomach.
You could also speak to the vet about adding a prebiotic functional food like Jerusalem artichoke to your dog’s meals. This contains a type of fibre called inulin that nourishes the good bacteria in your pet’s gut. It can support digestive health and increase the amount of nutrients your pooch absorbs from their food.(2) Plus, because around 70% of your pup’s immune cells are in their gut, prebiotics help support their immune system.(3) Which is just what your furry friend will need during their recovery!
Supporting dogs with a mould allergy
We’ve focused a lot on what to do if your dog ate mouldy food. However, if your pup has a mould allergy, you might need to take a different approach. Because mould spores are airborne, ensuring your house is well ventilated is key. You could also use a dehumidifier to tackle problem areas. Plus, washing your pooch’s bedding frequently helps to remove any allergens that may have built up on it.
The vet might prescribe medications like antihistamines or corticosteroids to manage your pet’s allergy symptoms. Some functional foods act as natural antihistamines too. For example, reishi mushroom contains triterpenoids like ganoderic acid that inhibit the release of histamine.(4) And because it’s available in powder form, it’s easy to mix into your mutt’s meals.
We also recommend bathing your dog regularly in cool water with a hypoallergenic shampoo. This works to both remove allergens and soothe any itching. If itchiness is a problem for your pup, you could try adding sea buckthorn oil to their diet. Rich in omega-7 fatty acids like palmitoleic acid, it supports skin health by boosting hydration and reducing inflammation.(5) This won’t get rid of the allergy, but might make it easier to manage the symptoms.
How to prevent your dog from ingesting mould
If your dog ate mouldy food, the consequences can be quite serious. As such, it’s better to try and stop them from consuming it in the first place. While it’s not always as easy as it sounds, the following tips should help:
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Store dog food in an airtight container to reduce the chances of mould growing. The best option is usually keeping it in the packet it came in and sealing this tightly.
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Always check the expiration dates on your pet’s food.
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When you buy kibble or wet food, make sure the packaging isn’t damaged.
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If you notice that your pup’s biscuits feel soft, throw them out. This is an indication that they are past their best.
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Before feeding your pooch, inspect the food for signs of mould. These include an unpleasant smell, discolouration, and furry patches.
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Don’t let food sit out for too long. You can normally leave wet food out for a maximum of two hours, and dry food for up to six. In hot and humid weather, these times will be shorter.
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If you don’t dish up an entire tin or pouch of wet food, put the rest in the fridge immediately.
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Throw away old food (dog and human!) in pet-proof bins and always keep them closed. This should stop your pooch from scavenging mouldy food from the trash.
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Clean all your pup’s bowls and toys regularly to prevent mould growth.
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Check your garden for potential sources of mould, like rotting fruit from trees, and remove it where possible.
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Train your mutt to obey commands like ‘leave it’ and ‘drop it’. This should help if they grab something mouldy on a walk.
Final thoughts on keeping your pup away from mouldy dog food
It can be problematic if your dog ate mouldy food, so contact a vet straight away if it happens. The sooner your pet gets treatment, the better. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to reduce the chances of your pooch eating something that’s gone off. These include storing dog food correctly, securing bins thoroughly, and checking both kibble and wet food for signs of mould. Obedience training can also be an effective way to prevent your mutt from munching things they shouldn’t. Within reason anyway – some treats are just too tasty!
