Benefits Of Mushrooms for Dogs
We do not advise eating the random mushrooms that grow in your yard! These can be incredibly dangerous, if not deadly. So unless you are a mushroom expert — de-shroom your yard!
Can Your Dog Eat Mushrooms
Yes! — the studies suggest that the inclusion of specific medicinal mushrooms can be extremely beneficial to helping to prevent cancer and potentially recover from certain cancer diagnoses, and live longer.
Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs
Mushrooms are rich in a type of fiber that is very beneficial for the microbiome, the ecology of microorganisms in the body, especially in the bowel. By improving the health of these microorganisms by feeding them with this mushroom fiber, macro and micronutrient absorption is improved.
Mushrooms can contribute to the prevention of disease, regeneration of cells, protection against cell damage, and aid in the treatment of disease states.
Mushrooms are said to modulate the immune system. That is to say it knows whether to boost or suppress the immune systems response.
Of course, we are not claiming to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. I’m not a doctor! I’m sharing some well-known information to consider in your dog’s wellness plan.
It’s recommended for you to consult with a good holistic practitioner who can help you with a complete strategy for your specific pet.
Edible Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs
Medicinal mushrooms provide numerous health benefits to your dog
The Turkey Tail Mushroom is a rich source of beta-glucans. Beta-glucans act as a potent anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting agent, which is why turkey tail mushrooms are fed to dogs suffering from cancer. In addition, beta-glucans increase longevity in dogs with hemangiosarcoma, a form of cancer that primarily attacks the canine’s liver, heart, and skin. Another essential benefit to turkey tail mushrooms comes from their high prebiotic composition, which improves the dog’s gut microbiome and helps build up the immune system. Additional benefits may include:
reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments
support for pulmonary disorders
reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and the urinary tract
aid in survivability in dogs with Hemangiosarcoma (seel link below to Penn State)
Chaga Mushrooms are also a powerful immune booster. Similar to Turkey tail it contains beta-glucans, which may increase your dog’s immune defense system.
Chaga mushrooms can boost the immune system is promoting the formation of cytokines. These proteins are the immune system's chemical messengers and stimulate white blood cells, which are the body’s first responders to infections or bacteria and viruses.
Reduces inflammation.
Chaga mushrooms support digestion & skin health.
Antibiotic properties are useful after antibiotics and other medications or issues that contribute to oxidative stress.
Antioxidant properties support use in diets with highly processed foods, and exposure to chemicals and pesticides.
Supports healthy blood sugar levels
Promotes muscle health, endurance and stamina.
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms are a great source of antioxidants that help relieve free radicals in your dog’s body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage the cells in the body.
Lion’s mane mushrooms have been proven to help produce apoptosis (i.e., cancer cell death) and prevent metastasis to the lungs. Adding lion’s mane mushrooms to your dog’s diet can offer various other health improvements as well, such as:
Improved brain and neurological functions
Better gut microbiome and immune system health
Improved cardiovascular health (lion’s mane mushrooms reduce chronic inflammation)
Enhanced antibacterial response - lion’s mane mushrooms improve the immune system’s response against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius), leading to faster wound healing times and fewer occurrences of UTIs (i.e., urinary tract infections), abscesses, and skin infections.
Reishi Mushrooms — antiviral, antitumoral, and contribute to immunity. These make a great overall supportive addition to your dog’s diet. Reishi Mushrooms aid in:
heart health
immunity support
liver function
allergies, seasonal allergies, balance histamine levels
pain reduction
Calms the central nervous system (CNS) - which means it may help your dog relax and destress.
Shitake Mushrooms offer many minerals, enzymes and amino acids into the diet. Benefits of shitake mushrooms may include:
Circulation Support
Inhibit tumor growth
reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments
allergy relief
Cushing’s Disease support
Incontinence support, urinary conditions
Maitake Mushrooms: Benefits may include:
inhibition of tumor growth
reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments
support for dogs with diabetes
support for dogs with liver issues
Cordyceps Mushrooms support the respiratory system, are anti-inflammatory anti-cancer, antidiabetic, anti-obesity . Excellent for aiding in recovery needs & energy requirements.
Other benefits may include:
support for liver disease & chronic liver concerns,
support for heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias,
Leaky gut syndrome
Protection against chronic kidney disease and may improve kidney function & control BUN, urinal proteins, creatinine.
Senior Health
Artist Conk is an immunomodulatory that can help support or prevent infections. Anti-inflammatory and can help support the liver and prevent further damage
Red Belted Conk: anit-cancer properties, may help regulate blood sugar, support absorption, and elimination. Often used as an emetic (induce vomiting) and coagulant.
What To Look For When Shopping For Mushrooms:
Mushroom Extracts
Percentage of Beta-Glucans
No added starch, mycelium or grains
Not grown on mycelium
Testing
Ethical sourcing
Mushrooms are also a good source of prebiotics that can help your dog’s probiotics work better!
Order MyCo Dog Mushrooms Tinctures: https://bit.ly/46tjyDx
Or Choose Real Mushrooms for Dogs for additional complex blends. https://shop.realmushrooms.com?ref=419 They have versions for YOU too!
One of the best ways to add mushrooms is to include mushrooms in homemade bone broth which in itself is a powerful booster for your dog’s health. Choices of mushrooms include shitake, turkey tail, maitake, cordyceps, reishi, and phellinus.
Mushroom Study on longevity in hemangiosarcoma:
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/compound-derived-mushroom-lengthens-survival-time-dogs-cancer-penn-vet-study-finds?fbclid=IwAR13jmUJNYzRfDfUys3Kocv7rnm_zWapZGXBF53ojPT_SYPDvV3ylnvtsJU
Buying Mushrooms:
Make sure you buy whole mushrooms and not just mycelium. There’s an important difference.
Many mushroom products are just mycelium grown on grain or rice. Mycelium is the part of the mushroom the fungus grows om … (it’s like the root of a plant) … and it’s not the whole body. Mycelium grown on grain has more starch and lower medicinal benefits than whole mushrooms.
Our preferred Mushroom Vendor(s)
MyCoDog:
Visit my online community to learn to dehydrate mushrooms and make mushroom broth!
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