Can cats feel the effects of magic mushrooms if they eat them? The short answer is probably yes. Despite this, you should never feed your cat magic mushrooms since they can be highly toxic and cause serious harm to your cat, even resulting in death.
So what do you do if your cat eats your psilocybin shrooms? Did cats take part in early psychedelic research? This article will reveal everything you need to know about cats, magic mushrooms, and psychedelics.
Now let's go into details, and start by learning to take care of your cat if it ate magic mushrooms.
What to Do if Your Cat Ate Shrooms Right Now?
If you suspect your cat accidentally consumed psychedelic shrooms, take it to the vet! It is crucial to contact a professional immediately since psilocybin can cause severe symptoms in animals, some of which might be fatal.
Here is what you should do if your cat ate magic mushrooms:
- Do not wait to observe any symptoms. Immediately go to the vet.
- If you suspect your cat ingested a substance because they act differently, go to the vet as soon as possible and explain the situation (better safe than sorry).
- Consider bringing a sample of the mushrooms your cat consumed to the veterinarian. It may help identify and treat the animal.
- You should always be open and honest with the vet and tell them your cat ingested a psychedelic substance.
Do Vets Treat Mushroom Poisoning in Cats?
Veterinary doctors can treat cats poisoned by mushrooms, whether it is magic mushrooms or poisonous wild mushrooms.
What would vets do to cats in case of mushroom poisoning:
- Make your cat vomit by pumping its stomach.
- Perform a gastric lavage.
- Give intravenous (IV) fluids to get rid of the toxins.
- Give other medications such as diazepam, cyproheptadine, or even acepromazine.
In some severe cases, such as seizures and tremors, the vet might ask for laboratory monitoring of your animal overnight. The signs of the poisoning often disappear in less than 12 hours if the animal gets treatment at the vet.
Is Psilocybin Dangerous for Cats?
Indeed, psilocybin poses a significant danger to cats and, more broadly, to animals as a whole. Magic mushrooms, which contain this psychoactive compound, are acknowledged as toxic to felines.
The ingestion of psilocybin by cats can lead to a range of adverse effects, including but not limited to aggression, hallucinations, tremors, lethargy, dilated pupils, heightened body temperature, and increased grooming behavior. It is noteworthy that in certain instances, particularly when ingested in substantial quantities, psilocybin can result in fatality for the affected feline. Thus, caution should be exercised to prevent access to such substances by pets.
Can You Feed Your Cat with Psilocybin Shrooms?
You should never feed your cat with magic mushrooms. Aside from being unethical, it can also be harmful and even deadly. Even if they don't get hurt permanently, there is a high probability that they will feel ill and experience trauma. So, if you consider giving your cat shrooms to see what happens, we strongly recommend you not do so.
Animals, Consciousness, and Consent
Recreational usage of psychedelic substances such as shrooms and LSD can create amazing experiences. To a certain extent, these experiences alter your consciousness and even your personality. Recreational users give their consent and know, at least partially, what the substance will do to them.
The experience of receiving psilocybin or LSD without consent or awareness is likely to be awful. Anyone in this situation is likely to feel or think they are losing their mind or going insane. So if you consider cats and dogs your friends, you shouldn't expose them to such an awful experience.
Taking magic mushrooms and playing with your cat can strengthen your bond. However, this does not mean that your cat should also ingest magic mushrooms or LSD to be " fully present in the moment" with you.
Recreational psychedelic users often joke that their pets "are always high" and that when taking shrooms or LSD, they feel connected with their pets and better able to interact with them, or even that their pets watch over them while they are high.
Mushroom Poisoning Symptoms in Cats
In most cases, a cat that has ingested magic mushrooms will experience side effects within 20 to 60 minutes of eating them. Most pets recover within 6 hours, although dilated pupils and drowsiness may last up to 24 hours.
If you are unsure whether your cat is experiencing poisoning or not, here are the symptoms of mushroom poisoning in cats:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Lack of coordination
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Vocalization
- Disorientation
- Agitation
- Behavioral changes
- Drooling
- Seizures or coma - rarely
Do Cats Get High on Magic Mushrooms?
In short, yes. Your cat would feel mild psychedelic effects from the consumption of magic mushrooms. However, the scientific studies were only limited to behavioral alterations in cats, meaning it is unclear how intensely they feel the effects of hallucinogens.
Do they enjoy the process? Not exactly. As mentioned earlier, cats might show various side effects when consuming magic mushrooms, and it can cause them to panic and act strangely. Shrooms can also cause physical symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you give your cat shrooms, he might experience muscle weakness, coordination issues, hallucinations, agitation, seizure, or even die.
Cats and Psychedelic Drugs
Psychedelics, specifically LSD, were tested on many animals in the 70s, including dolphins, elephants, fishes, and spiders. Similarly to these other animals, cats have also been used for psychedelic experiments to observe the drug's effects on behavior.
Cats on LSD
In 1976, Dr. Barry Jacobs investigated how LSD affects feline animals, and he chose cats for his experiment. This decision was based on the fact that cats are known to have an expressionist and emotional nature.
In this experiment, it was observed that the cats became afraid of mice after having a dose of LSD and did not show any hunting behavior. Instead, they bounded and ran around in the cage. So, LSD exposure altered the behavior of the animal. However, no research proves that cats can hallucinate on psychedelic drugs, although their behavior shows apparent differences.
Here is a mini-documentary about the famous LSD Cat experiment:
In another study in 1976, cats were injected with LSD, and their behavior was observed. They mainly exhibited rubbing, treading, vocalization, staring, grooming, head and body shakes, and playful behavior; some were bizarre and unique for LSD-injected cats.
As you can clearly see, giving LSD or any other psychedelic drug to your cat is a horrible idea that should be avoided at all costs.
Cats and Psychedelic Toads
Another way for cats to accidentally be exposed to psychedelic substances is by licking or eating psychedelic toads, the so-called Marine Toad (Bufo Marinus) or the Colorado River Toad (Bufi Alivarious). These toads are incredibly toxic for cats. Secretion of this substance is a natural protection of these toads, so at some concentrations, it is highly toxic for animals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nPpyUCLDNQ&ab_channel=NBC2News
If you live where these toads are common and you observe your cat being intoxicated, this might be something to mention to your vet about.
The symptoms of toad poisoning include:
- Vocalization
- Pawing and drooling
- Change in the color of the mouth
- Breathing difficulties
- Uncoordinated movements
- Seizures
- Increased body temperature
- Collapse
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Do Cats Get High on Catnip?
Catnip is a plant that belongs to the Nepeta cataria mint family. The plant contains a chemical known as nepetalactone that, when inhaled by cats, causes alterations in the brain as a result of the chemical.
Overall, the chemical initiates extensive reactions in most cats. Some even call this experience euphoric for the animals. The effects are short-lived and often last for 30 minutes.
When cats smell catnip, nepetalactone binds to receptors inside their nose and activates sensory neurons in the brain. Therefore, these neurons affect the activity of the amygdala - which is the brain area responsible for the regulation of emotions. So, the chemical changes their moods, and they seem to enjoy this change.
Not all cats are affected by catnip since the response is genetically inherited. The ones who are affected display apparent physical behavior. The cats' usual response to this plant is:
- Sniffing
- Licking and chewing
- Head shaking
- Chin and cheek rubbing
- Head-over roll and body rubbing
Summary: Cats and Magic Mushrooms
Cats are curious animals and can accidentally consume psychedelics, so do not place your shrooms in areas where animals can reach them!
If you suspect your cat has eaten magic mushrooms or LSD, you must take it to the vet right away. Be aware of the symptoms, and always be open and communicative with the vet if you think your cat might be in trouble.
There is no doubt that psychedelic mushrooms will affect your cat, but their effects are not desired since they can cause severe harm to them. Although fatal cases are rare, they can occur. Therefore, you should never consider giving psychedelics to your furry friend.
