Dog sniffing a truffle

Can Dogs Have Truffle? Complete Guide To Truffle Safety

by

Truffles are fungi with an earthy aroma and distinct flavor. This is why they have long been prized in the culinary world. And sometimes we want to share our delicious food with our dogs. But can dogs have truffle?

Truffles are safe for dogs in small amounts, but their strong flavor may not appeal to all. While safe, they’re high in fat and should be an occasional treat. But there are ways to offer this food to your dog.

What are truffles, and why are they considered valuable in culinary culture?

Truffles are small fungi that grow a truffle spore underground and form a symbiotic relationship with tree roots. “The fungus physically extends and enhances the tree root system’s ability to access soil trace elements, in particular phosphorous, and in exchange, the tree supplies the fungus with carbohydrate derived from photosynthesis, enabling truffle fruiting.”, according to the New Zealand Truffle Association.

Hence, they are often found in forests, around 6-9 inches deep in the dirt. Certain trees like oak and hazelnut are more often found hanging out with these fungi. They’re often referred to as “diamonds of the kitchen” and are usually very expensive to buy and eat.

What differentiates white and black truffles?

The white truffle, found primarily in Italy, has a delicate, garlicky aroma. Compared to them, the black truffle, commonly found in France, offers a more robust, chocolate-like scent. Also, different types of truffles have a different “truffle season”. White ones usually grow around September-December, while black ones during December-March. In North America, they are commonly found in Oregon and Washington.

What are the benefits of truffle for dogs?

Besides being delicious, this fungi also contains many nutrients that can benefit dogs. It contains all essential amino acids for dogs making it the perfect protein source. High levels of antioxidants are also found inside. These are great because they are known to improve the immune system and prevent chronic diseases like cancer.

This food is packed with minerals like selenium, zinc, manganese, and phosphorus. Vitamins B and C are also present in abundance. It also has a lot of fiber, iron, and healthy carbs. There are also claims that truffles have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties.

Are there any risks involved in truffle consumption for dogs?

Even though truffles are safe for dogs in moderate amounts, in some instances they can cause serious health issues.

Digestive issues

Eating too much of anything can give your dog stomach problems and the same goes for truffles. You can often see the dog vomit or experience diarrhea. These fungi contain a lot of protein, which even though are healthy, can damage the kidneys in a really large quantity. This is why moderation is important.

Allergic reactions

There are cases where dogs can develop an allergic reaction to this food. This is common in dogs that are naturally prone to allergies. You can see the symptoms after the dog has ingested some of the truffle as it becomes lethargic and starts vomiting. Rashes and itching are other common symptoms.

Feeding the wrong mushroom

Allowing dogs to eat truffles is fine as long as you are sure that what you have is a truffle. If you are a person who wants to forage their truffle mushroom, you might end up picking up something toxic instead of this delicious food. Then, you may poison your dog by accident. That’s why even though dogs can eat mushroom soup, you need to be really careful about the type of mushroom you cook.

How to include truffle in your dogs diet?

If you do want your dog to experience the taste of this food, you should prepare it accordingly. First, you need to clean it thoroughly as it grows in the ground collecting dirt, bugs, and other contaminants. Then, you can decide if you want to cook the treat or feed it raw.

Fresh truffle is perfectly fine for your dog, and it contains more nutrients than when you cook it. If you are a fan of cooking, you can lightly boil or steam your organic truffles without adding any spices or oils. Then, you can wait for it to cool down and then feed it to the dog. You can try making truffle pasta with truffle butter but share only a bite or two. Adding truffle salt may seem like a good idea to enhance the flavor but its bad for the dog.

Always start with small quantities and monitor your dog for any reactions. If everything is fine, you can increase the amount.

What are the alternatives to truffles for dogs?

There are some truffle-flavored dog treats on the market that you can try giving to your dog. But a better option is to make them yourself.

Instead of using recipes with truffles for dogs, you can use their alternatives. One good dog-friendly food recipe is the peanut butter and carob truffles. This is made by mixing 1 cup of flour, ¼ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, and 1-2 tbsp. of carob powder. Make it into a dough and add water if needed. 

Then, you need to make the dough into the form of a truffle and place it on a baking tray with a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for around 10-15 minutes. Take them out and let them cool before giving some to your dog.

Truffle cut in half

How are dogs used in truffle hunting?

Historically, dogs have been invaluable in truffle hunting. Their acute sense of smell and innate hunting instincts make them excellent truffle hunters. But it has to be a properly trained dog to do so. 

There are certain truffle dog breeds that do better than others. And this includes dogs like the Beagle, Poodle, Lagotto Romagnolo, Springer Spaniel, and Belgian Malinois. The German Shepherd is another great truffle hunter. The only risk here for the dog owner is the dogs eating the truffles while searching for them. But it’s bad for the truffle hunting dog as well.

It’s also interesting to note that before people used dogs to find these mushrooms, they used to use pigs. This is because pigs also have a good sense of smell and are attracted by the truffle’s scent. The female pig is much better than this than the male pig. An old article in the New York Times explains this phenomenon in pigs as such:

Researchers in West Germany have found that truffles contain large quantities of a substance also synthesized in the testes of boars. In the boars it is secreted into their saliva when they court females. The Germans report that the substance’s musklike scent, ”emanating from the saliva foam, is smelled by the sow and prompts her standing reflex.”

Conclusion – Can dogs have truffle?

These delicious exotic foods can be a delicious treat for your dog. They are also filled with proteins and nutrients that can be greatly beneficial. But truffles also have a very enchanting smell that can attract dogs and cause them to overindulge.

This will lead to certain health problems in the dog. Eating too much of this food will cause the dog to develop digestive issues. Some dogs may also be allergic to the fungi and develop an allergic reaction. 

If you do want to feed truffles to your dog, you can start by giving small amounts and see what happens. There are also other ways you can satisfy its taste buds by making alternative treats at home.

FAQ

Can dogs eat chocolate truffles?

Chocolate truffles have nothing to do with the fungi. Instead, these treats are made with high amounts of dark chocolate which is notoriously bad for dogs. Even small bites of these chocolate truffles can cause serious problems for a dog.

Can dogs eat truffle salami?

It is best to avoid giving this food to your dog. It can contain a lot of salt and spices which are bad for dogs. A lot of synthetic ingredients are also added to improve the taste.

Can dogs have truffle popcorn?

Yes, these snacks can be fine for dogs in small amounts. Dogs can eat popcorn and adding a bit of truffle oil on them can be perfectly fine. Just make sure there are no additional spices added to the mix.

Can dogs eat truffle chips?

You should avoid giving truffle crisps to your dog. Even though some packages of the snack can be fine in small amounts, they usually contain salt and other spices that can harm your dog’s health. Offering a truffle fry will have the same effect.

Can dogs have truffle oil?

Yes, dogs can eat truffle oil in moderation. However, it’s very important to use it sparingly and ensure it’s real truffle oil and not a part of the commercial truffle oils. There are also other healthier oils out there that can be a good substitute.

Can dogs eat truffle cheese?

It depends on the type of cheese you use. Many different cheeses can be flavored with truffle, but dogs should avoid provolone cheese, or other cheeses rich in fats and sodium. Instead, gouda, cheddar, or cottage cheese should be offered.

More dog nutrition resources

Here are a few other resources talking about giving certain foods to dogs and the effect they have on their health.

You can find a lot more information on the types of food you can feed your dog on our site Dogisa!

Leave a Comment