Chanterelles

What are chanterelles?

Chanterelles are a type of mushroom from the stubble mushroom family. They have a yolk to golden yellow cap, which is funnel-shaped, and ridges on the underside of the cap that run down the stem. They grow in forests on acidic and nutrient-poor soils and form a symbiotic relationship with various trees, especially spruce and beech.

Chanterelles are edible and popular edible mushrooms that have a mild to peppery taste and a fruity smell. They contain lots of vitamins, minerals and fiber and have a positive effect on the immune system, digestion and skin.

How do you prepare chanterelles for dogs?

Chanterelles are not edible raw as they contain chitin, which cannot be digested by dogs. In addition, raw mushrooms can contain poisonous or incompatible substances that are destroyed by heating. You should therefore always wash, clean and cook chanterelles well before giving them to your dog.

You can prepare chanterelles for your dog in various ways:

• Roasting: You can fry chanterelles in a little oil or butter over a medium heat until they are soft. You can also add some onion or garlic, but only in small amounts as these can be toxic to dogs in large doses. Do not season the chanterelles with salt or pepper, as these can be harmful to dogs.
• Steaming: You can steam chanterelles in a little water or stock over a low heat until they are soft. You can also add some parsley or thyme to enhance the flavor. Do not use broth with salt or other spices that are unsuitable for dogs.
• Grill: You can grill chanterelles on a barbecue or in a grill pan over a high heat until they are brown. You can brush them with a little oil beforehand to prevent them from sticking. Do not use marinades or sauces with salt or other spices that are unsuitable for dogs.

What are the benefits of chanterelles for dogs?

Chanterelles have many benefits for dogs if they are fed in moderation:

• They provide many vitamins, especially vitamins A, B and C, which are important for vision, the nervous system and the immune system.
• They provide many minerals, especially iron, potassium and zinc, which are important for blood formation, water balance and wound healing.
• They provide a lot of fiber, which aids digestion and prevents constipation.
• They have an anti-inflammatory effect and can alleviate skin problems such as eczema or dandruff.
• They have an antiseptic effect and can prevent infections such as cystitis or fungal diseases.

What are the disadvantages of chanterelles for dogs?

Chanterelles also have some disadvantages for dogs if they are prepared in too large quantities or incorrectly:

• They contain chitin, which cannot be digested by dogs and can lead to flatulence, diarrhea or vomiting.
• They can contain poisonous or incompatible substances that must be destroyed by heating, otherwise they can lead to poisoning or allergies.
• They can be confused with other mushrooms that are poisonous to dogs, such as the false chanterelle or the gall fungus. You should therefore only pick chanterelles if you know them well, or buy them from a supermarket or mushroom seller.
• They can be contaminated with harmful substances such as heavy metals or pesticides. You should therefore only collect chanterelles from uncontaminated areas or look for organic quality.

What should you look out for?

If you want to give your dog chanterelles, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Only feed your dog cooked chanterelles and not raw or dried ones.
• Only feed your dog fresh and clean chanterelles and not old or moldy ones.
• Only feed your dog real chanterelles and not poisonous or incompatible mushrooms.
• Only feed your dog unseasoned chanterelles and no salty or spicy ones.
• Only feed your dog small quantities of chanterelles and not large portions.
• Observe your dog after feeding chanterelles and watch for signs of intolerance or poisoning, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors or shortness of breath.