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Medicinal mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular in pet health due to their natural healing properties. Besides providing essential nutrients and antioxidants, specific varieties of these fungi offer a boost to your dog's body and mind that can be hard to find elsewhere. When Scout was diagnosed with lymphoma, I began adding medicinal mushrooms to my dogs' diet. My goal was to keep him in remission while strengthening his immune system. Today, I alternate medicinal mushroom brands to keep my dogs healthy.
Studies show the following benefits of medicinal mushrooms:
- may decrease the risk of cancer
- supports cognitive health
- supports gut health
- boosts the immune system
- another source of Vitamin D (maitake)
- another source of Vitamin B6 (shiitake)
- and more
In this article, I'll share the most commonly used mushrooms for dogs, their benefits, and the ailments each is documented to treat.
Medicinal Mushroom Shopping List
There are many amazing supplements brands on the market. Real Mushrooms is the primary brand I purchase for my dogs and me. Their Five Defenders provided relief from hayfever symptoms, alleviated anxiety, and reduced inflammation. It was a no-brainer to add their products to my dogs' diet.
The following are my favorite Real Mushrooms products for my dogs
- Daily Dawg – overall wellness and immunity support
- Immune Chews – immunity “treats”
- Relax Chews – calming “treats”
- Turkey Tail – anti-cancer, promotes detox by supporting kidney & liver health
- Lion's Mane – anti-cancer, supports gut health, cognitive health, nervous system, and reduces anxiety
- Cordyceps – supports overall wellness; I like to combine this with Lion's Mane (for my dogs)
Turkey Tail (Trametes Versicolor)
Known for its unique turkey tail features, turkey tail mushroom is a popular medicinal mushroom with many benefits for dogs. Rich in antioxidants, turkey tail mushrooms support overall health and vitality through their immunomodulatory properties. This helps fight off infections and regulate immune responses, allowing your canine companion to stay healthy and resilient.
Even better, turkey tail mushrooms are completely safe for dogs and can be easily added to their diet as pills, powders, or tinctures. So, if you want the best for your four-legged family member, consider adding turkey tail mushrooms to their regular diet.
Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum)
Reishi mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular with dog owners as a natural supplement for their four-legged friends. The reishi mushroom is a medicinal mushroom that has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an adaptogen to help the body better manage stress and anxiety.
Offering reishi supplements to your dog can promote overall wellness, including improved immune system functions, better digestion, and extra support for the cardiovascular system. Moreover, reishi mushrooms for dogs may provide anti-inflammatory benefits, which can help alleviate joint pain and improve mobility.
These potential health benefits make reishi mushrooms an ideal choice for an all-natural way to offer daily nutrients to your furry companion.
When adding Reishi mushrooms to the diet, remember that the supplement may have a bitter taste that will turn some dogs off. For these dogs, a capsule, a daily mushroom chews, or a mushroom blend tincture that contains Reishi may be a better fit.
Lion's Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)
Lion's mane mushrooms are grown in North America and Asia and provide various health benefits, such as improved cognitive function and immune system support.
Studies have proven that lion's mane can improve dogs' digestive systems. This allows dogs to absorb nutrients more efficiently, paving the way for increased energy levels and better overall health.
Also, lion's mane has been found to reduce inflammation, making it especially helpful in treating arthritis and joint pain in dogs. So, while they won’t be able to eat lion's mane like we do humans, adding lions' main mushrooms to your dog's regular diet can pay off!
Cordyceps (Cordyceps Militaris)
Cordyceps mushrooms are an incredible, natural supplement that can help improve the well-being of your dog.
While cordyceps have been used for decades to treat various ailments in humans and animals alike, they have become increasingly popular for dogs due to their wide range of health benefits. These mushrooms boost immunity, aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote better energy levels in dogs.
Additionally, cordyceps have also been linked to improved cognitive function and joint strength in older dogs. Therefore, cordyceps can be a great choice if you're looking for a safe and natural way to enhance your dog's quality of life.
Artist Conk (Ganoderma Applantum)
Artist conk mushrooms are an interesting way to help keep your dog healthy and active. These mushrooms, scientifically known as Ganoderma Applantum, have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries.
They provide a boost of energy and increased physical strength, and they also increase immunity and can even aid in recovery from certain diseases. The artist conk mushroom especially benefits large dogs, providing much-needed support for their bones and joints.
Additionally, artist conk mushrooms contain essential vitamins and minerals that can improve your dog's overall well-being.
Maitake (Grifola Frondosa)
Maitake mushrooms are popping up everywhere in the pet food industry! It turns out maitake mushrooms offer numerous benefits to dogs, such as boosting their immunity and helping them stay physically active.
Not only that, maitake mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, which help protect dogs from disease-causing pathogens that may be present in food or environmental toxins.
Many dog owners report positive results after adding maitake mushroom-based products to their dog’s diet. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to give your dog a nutritional boost, maitake mushroom might be your solution!
Shiitake (Lentinula Edodes)
Shiitake mushrooms provide numerous benefits to dogs, including improved digestion and gastrointestinal health. They are also a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Shiitake mushrooms also boost the immune system, reduce signs of oxidative stress, and even have anti-cancer properties.
Shiitake mushrooms are considered safe for dogs in moderation, making them a great addition to pet diets. Packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins B3 (niacin), D and B6 (pyridoxine), iron, and zinc, shiitake mushrooms provide many invaluable health benefits for our canine friends.
Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus)
Chaga mushrooms are an increasingly popular supplement that can be given to dogs to support their overall health. This mushroom, which grows mainly in cold climates, is chock-full of powerful antioxidants that can help promote healthy aging, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation.
Furthermore, Chaga has been shown to lower stress levels and is an excellent source of B vitamins. Long used as a traditional treatment for various ailments in Eastern holistic medicine, Chaga has become a go-to natural remedy for many pet owners looking to provide their dogs with extra care and attention.
Regularly providing your dog with Chaga mushroom supplements can help keep them energetic and healthy!
Anti-Cancer Mushrooms for Dogs
The following is a list of anti-cancer functional mushrooms for dogs:
- Turkey Tail
- Maitake
- Reishi
- Chaga
- Five Defenders – Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail mushrooms and Chaga
Medicinal mushrooms are revered for their potent anti-cancer properties and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. These fungi contain bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, beta-glucans, triterpenoids, and other unique molecules that contribute to their anti-cancer effects.
Immune Modulation: One of the primary mechanisms through which medicinal mushrooms exhibit anti-cancer properties is by modulating the immune system. Compounds like beta-glucans found in mushrooms can stimulate immune cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cells, enhancing the body's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation can promote tumor growth and progression. Medicinal mushrooms possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation within the body, creating an environment less conducive to cancer development.
Apoptosis Induction: Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death that helps eliminate damaged or abnormal cells, including cancer cells. Certain compounds in medicinal mushrooms have been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, leading to their destruction and inhibition of tumor growth.
Anti-Angiogenic Effects: Tumors rely on the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to receive nutrients and oxygen for growth. Some medicinal mushrooms contain compounds that inhibit angiogenesis, thereby cutting off the blood supply to tumors and limiting their expansion.
Antioxidant Activity: Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants that help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, which can otherwise contribute to cell damage and cancer development. By reducing oxidative stress, medicinal mushrooms support overall cellular health and may help prevent cancer initiation.
Detoxification Support: Certain mushrooms like Reishi and Chaga have detoxifying properties that aid in eliminating toxins from the body. This is significant in cancer treatment as reducing the body's toxic burden can support the immune system and overall health during cancer therapy.
Synergistic Effects with Conventional Treatments: Medicinal mushrooms are often used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. They can help alleviate treatment side effects, boost immune function, and enhance the efficacy of standard cancer therapies.
In canine cancer treatments, the bioactive compounds present in medicinal mushrooms work synergistically to support the immune system, combat tumor growth, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall well-being.
By leveraging the diverse anti-cancer properties of these fungi, pet owners and veterinarians can integrate medicinal mushrooms into a comprehensive cancer treatment plan for dogs, promoting the body's natural ability to combat cancer while improving quality of life during the treatment process.
Incorporating Medicinal Mushrooms into a Dog's Diet
I've found the best and easiest way to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into a dog's diet is through mushroom powders and capsules; however, I have used tinctures. I've seen the most benefits with Real Mushrooms products.
Daily Dawg – A comprehensive blend of extracts and certified organic mushrooms curated by veterinarians to maintain your dog's general health. I add two teaspoons to my dogs' morning meals.
Immune Chews – This chewable treat includes Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail mushrooms, and Chaga. I give these to my dogs as an occasional treat.
Relax Chews – This chewable treat includes Lion's Mane, Reishi, and calming ingredients like L-Tryptophan, Valerian Root, and Catnip. I give these to my dogs an hour before a triggering event.
Turkey Tail – I add a teaspoon of this powerful mushroom to my dogs' meals to support a healthy detox, prevent fatty tumors (and stop existing lipomas from growing), and provide anti-cancer benefits.
Lion's Mane – I add a teaspoon of Lion's Mane and Cordyceps to my senior dog's meals to support cognitive, nervous, gut, and cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation.
Culinary Mushrooms for Dogs
You can add culinary (or edible) mushrooms to your dog's diet. These mushrooms are found in the produce section of your grocery store and are human-grade and safe for dogs to eat. I buy cremini, portobello, and white button mushrooms to make a mushroom broth, or I sautee them lightly with bok choy and add them to the bowl or mix them with scrambled eggs. The bok chow and scrambled eggs aren't necessary, but I feel like a Top Chef winner when plating these dishes for my dogs.
For dog owners looking for a simple, natural way to improve their dog's health and wellness, adding medicinal mushrooms to their diet is an easy solution. With their proven immune-boosting properties and ease of use, medicinal mushrooms are the perfect supplement for keeping your furry friend happy and healthy for years. So don't wait—start reaping the benefits of medicinal mushrooms today!
