The fly agaric is the iconic toadstool of children’s fairy tales.
Instantly recognisable with its bright red cap and white spots
you would have to be an idiot to eat one of these! Or a child or
pet. Whilst you can imagine why a kid may eat one of these it
is less clear why dogs (and occasionally cats) seem to have a
taste for them. Unfortunately fly agaric is even more poisonous
to these animals and invariably lethal.

The main toxic agents in Amanita muscaria are muscimol and
ibotenic acid. These act on the central nervous system caus-
ing loss of coordination, alternating agitation and sleep, nau-
sea and in some cases hallucinations. The effects kick in after
around one hour but are rarely fatal. One of the biggest risks is
due to the crazy behaviour exhibited when intoxicated. Some-
thing that didn’t escape the ancients who used these in rituals.