Spoiled Food
Can dogs and cats eat moldy food?
Short answer on moldy food: a veterinary emergency for both dogs and cats. See what to watch for and the veterinary sources behind each answer.
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
Call ASPCA: (888) 426-4435One food, two pets
What changes between dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats both have a emergency verdict.
The label matches, but the two answers are not interchangeable. Check the bottom line for your pet below.
- Bottom line differs
Moldy Food safety for dogs
Moldy food, compost, and garbage can carry tremor-inducing mold toxins that act fast and can be life-threatening, so exposure is treated as an emergency.
Toxic principle: tremorgenic mycotoxins, commonly penitrem A, produced by Penicillium molds
Watch for
- vomiting
- muscle tremors
- incoordination
- rapid heart rate
- elevated body temperature
- seizures
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-12
Moldy Food safety for cats
The same fast-acting mold toxins that endanger dogs can poison cats, and any suspected exposure should be treated with the same urgency.
Toxic principle: tremorgenic mycotoxins, commonly penitrem A, produced by Penicillium molds
Watch for
- vomiting
- muscle tremors
- incoordination
- rapid heart rate
- elevated body temperature
- seizures
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-12
Questions owners ask about moldy food
Can dogs eat moldy food?
Moldy food, compost, and garbage can carry tremor-inducing mold toxins that act fast and can be life-threatening, so exposure is treated as an emergency.
What should I do if my dog ate moldy food?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with moldy food and dogs?
vomiting, muscle tremors, incoordination, rapid heart rate, elevated body temperature, seizures. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
Can cats eat moldy food?
The same fast-acting mold toxins that endanger dogs can poison cats, and any suspected exposure should be treated with the same urgency.
What should I do if my cat ate moldy food?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with moldy food and cats?
vomiting, muscle tremors, incoordination, rapid heart rate, elevated body temperature, seizures. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.
Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.