As delicious as the cream of a mushroom soup is, I don’t recommend feeding it to your dogs and this isn’t just because of a bias against mushrooms, it applies to any cream soup.
Aside from the mushrooms being toxic to dogs, the cream soup contains a lot of fat, added seasonings like onions and garlic, and sodium, which makes them harmful for your dogs to consume. So, if you must feed your dogs any kind of soup, it has to be low-sodium broths or dog-friendly vegetable purees.
Is Cream of Mushroom Soup Safe for Dogs?
The short answer is no and this isn’t limited to store-bought, canned soups, it also extends to some homemade cream soups as well. The cream of mushroom soups isn’t safe for the following reasons:
- Onions and garlic – Cream soups often contain onion and garlic powder for added flavor. Unfortunately, they are toxic for dogs and can damage their red blood cells.
- High-fat content – The cream or milk base in these soups makes them high in fat and calories for your dog, leading to upset stomach, diarrhea, or even pancreatitis.
- Sodium content – The cream of mushroom soups, especially those canned ones you buy at the store, tend to be very high in sodium, which is unhealthy for your pets.
However, if your dog eats a small amount of homemade mushroom soup that contains minimal seasonings and low-fat milk, they will most likely be fine. Still, vets caution against feeding or sharing any creamy soups with dogs regularly due to the potential risks involved. The safest route is to avoid cream soups altogether when cooking or preparing meals and treats for your dog.
Potential risks of feeding dogs cream of mushroom soup
There are several possible health risks that come with feeding the cream of mushroom soup to your dogs, especially if they’re puppies:
Lactose Intolerance: By default, most dogs are lactose intolerant and this will make their system unable to break down the milk in mushroom soup, causing digestive problems like bloating, gas, vomiting, and diarrhea.
High Sodium Content: Canned mushroom soups have excess sodium and when your dogs consume them regularly, it will lead to increased thirst and sodium ion poisoning, which can cause kidney damage.
High-Fat Content: The creamy base in the mushroom soup is rich in saturated fats and this is hard for your dogs to digest. When they consume fatty foods regularly, they can develop pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
Food Allergies: Though food allergies are a less common reaction, they do happen if your dogs are allergic to certain ingredients in the mushroom soup such as wheat, dairy, or the mushrooms themselves. Signs of food allergies could include itchy skin or stomach upset.
Breakdown of ingredients
| Ingredient | Are they Safe for Dogs? | Risks |
| Mushrooms | Yes | High toxicity risks |
| Onions | No | Can cause anemia |
| Garlic | No | Can cause anemia |
| Milk/Cream | It depends | Lactose intolerance |
| Butter | It depends | High fat content |
| Wheat flour | Yes* | Allergies possible |
| Chicken/beef stock | Yes* | High sodium content |
| Black Pepper | It depends | Gastrointestinal irritation |
| Salt | No | Sodium poisoning |
*Yes means it is safe in small amounts for most dogs
As shown, many common ingredients in cream of mushroom soups, both homemade and store-bought, can pose serious health risks for dogs. The items I’ll urge you to avoid are onions, garlic, salt, high-fat content, and excess sodium. Remember to always check the labels before sharing human soups with dogs.
Safe alternatives to cream of mushroom soup
- Homemade Bone Broth: You can make this for your dogs using animal bones/cartilage, vegetables like carrots and celery, and herbs like parsley. Aside from being a tasty and nutritious option, this unsalted broth omits risky ingredients, making it safe for your dogs.
- Lean Cooked Meats: Plain-boiled, roasted, or grilled chicken, turkey, lean beef, or organ meats make for good treats as long as they are unseasoned and thoroughly cooked. These protein-rich foods can either be served on their own or added to water/dog-friendly broths.
- Commercial Dog Soups/Stews: Many commercial canned stews and broths specifically made for dogs are a safer, nutritionally balanced alternative to mushroom soup. I recommend looking for low-sodium options with no onions or garlic in the ingredients and adding some cooked meat to make them tastier!
My dog ate cream of mushroom soup what should I do?
If your dog accidentally eats some cream of mushroom soup, seek help immediately from your veterinarian, especially if they show any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Lethargy or lack of appetite
- Swollen abdomen or signs of bloat
- Increased thirst or signs of dehydration
- Skin reactions like hives, redness, or itchy skin
You should also contact your vet if your pup or a smaller, older dog consumes any kind of cream soup because this can severely affect them due to their size and body weight. Ensure you provide details on the exact type and quantity of soup they ingested to help the vets evaluate the risks and determine if supportive care or intervention is required.
Conclusion
To round off all I’ve said, please do not feed cream of mushroom soup to your pets because the risks outweigh any benefits you think it gives them. There are so many healthy treats that you can give your dogs from boiled chicken to homemade bone broth. If, for any reason, you want to feed them such a treat, ensure it doesn’t have ingredients such as onions and garlic and it’s low in fat and sodium. Say no to mushroom soup and yes to dog-friendly whole-food alternatives!
Read More: Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? Dog Food Veteran’s Advice
