Mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular as functional foods and powerful allies in the holistic medicine toolbox, and for good reason. There is abundant historical data dating back thousands of years supporting the benefits of mushrooms in the diet. Peer-reviewed studies are also increasing, with over 2,000 results for “medicinal mushrooms” on PubMed.

This popularity has extended to our companion animals too! Mushrooms are having their heyday, and the potential for mushrooms to benefit our furry friends is significant. But how exactly are mushrooms good for dogs and cats, and why should you consider using mushroom extracts?

Let's dive into the details!

In this article I will address the following questions:

• Why should I give my pet mushrooms?
• What is the difference between a functional mushroom and a culinary one?
• The Benefits of Administering Functional Mushrooms to Dogs & Cats
• What type of mushroom is best for my dog?
• How can I give my dog ​​mushrooms?
• Where can I buy mushrooms for my dog?
• How do I know mushrooms will help my dog?
• Why should I give my pet mushrooms?

Mushrooms have extensive and far-reaching benefits, and each mushroom species has its own unique properties and organ targets. However, there are beneficial features of mushrooms that are common to all of them.

As animals evolved, they encountered the immune-stimulating effects of fungi, some of which were potent pathogens. These fungal pathogens provided powerful incentives for animals to develop immune system mechanisms to recognize and protect against these pathogens.

The "potential danger" that the body receives when consuming mushrooms triggers an "alert" of the immune system.

When mushrooms are consumed (as food or supplement), they activate a form of communication in the body that informs the immune system where attention is needed to maintain balance and vitality. How does this beneficial immune response come about? Mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds called polysaccharides, which include beta-glucans.

Beta-glucans are immunomodulating compounds that help balance the immune system and keep it in optimal working order. Some of the immune cells that beta-glucans interact with are monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells.

In simpler words: Think of the immune system as a sleeping soldier. Reveille is the trumpet signal sounded at sunrise to call soldiers to duty. When this trumpet tune is played, the soldiers rise and prepare for the day, alert to whatever comes their way, ready to meet any threat.

Similarly, this happens when we (or our pets!) consume functional (also medicinal) mushrooms such as Turk's grape, Reishi, Hericium and Cordyceps. The mushrooms activate a “wake-up-and-be-alerted” system in the body, sending a message to direct resources where they are needed. The message reads "This is not an emergency, but it could be, so be vigilant."

So one of the main reasons functional mushrooms are good for dogs and cats is because they help their immune systems be more resilient.

Are mushrooms good for dogs?

Medicinal mushrooms can help support your pet's longevity by keeping their immune system resilient. They can also be used to promote gut health (Chaga), cognitive function (Lion's Mane), relaxation/sleep (Reishi), and energy (Cordyceps).

What is the difference between a functional mushroom and a culinary one? Mushrooms can be divided into 4 basic categories: Edible (also called culinary) Medicinal (also called functional) Psychoactive and Toxic There is a lot of overlap within these categories. A mushroom can be edible and healing. It can be psychoactive and healing. It can even be slightly poisonous, edible and medicinal, as in the case of Amanita muscaria.

The mushrooms I focus on in this blog are either edible, medicinal, or both. Examples of mushrooms that are both edible (culinary) and medicinal include: Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Oyster Mushrooms and Maitake. Examples of medicinal mushrooms that are theoretically edible but are simply not the type of mushrooms whose flavor and texture are optimal for culinary purposes include: reishi, chaga, and turkey grape.

Amanita muscaria is one of the rare mushrooms that are edible, healing and hallucinogenic. But it can also be toxic if too much is consumed. A good rule of thumb when it comes to wild mushrooms and your dog: keep them away, even if you think the mushroom is edible. The benefits of cooking and giving culinary mushrooms to dogs can be an excellent addition to your pet's diet. The rule of thumb is that mushrooms that are safe for humans are also safe for animals. Never feed your pet mushrooms that you have found in the wild (unless you are an expert in mushroom identification). You can purchase mushrooms at the grocery store or local farmers market. Some of these mushrooms that you can give your dog are oyster mushrooms, shiitake and lion's mane mushroom.

These mushrooms are extremely nutritious! They contain protein, fiber, minerals (selenium), B vitamins, vitamins C and E, are low in digestible carbohydrates and total fat and high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The indigestible carbohydrates and soluble fiber in mushrooms support the health of the microbiota. Mushrooms can be a rich source of vitamin D2 when exposed to UVB light. Mushrooms also harbor unique antioxidants such as ergothioneine and glutathione.

If you decide to give your pet mushrooms as part of their diet, it is recommended that they be cooked. In fact, cooking mushrooms allows more of the mushrooms' medicinal benefits to be utilized!

The reason why mushrooms should be cooked before feeding to your pet is because all mushrooms contain a component called chitin. Chitin is found in the cell wall of fungi and is the same material that forms the exoskeleton of insects and crustaceans. Chitin reduces the digestibility of mushrooms, but has a positive biological role as fiber.

If you give your pet culinary mushrooms, cook them beforehand. This makes the mushrooms more digestible. Otherwise, you can give your pet the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms in the form of mushroom supplements.

The best practice for increasing the bioavailability of the active ingredients in mushrooms is hot water extraction.

Using this method or cooking mushrooms breaks down the chitin that makes up the cell wall and "unlocks" the mushrooms' important immunomodulatory compounds such as beta-glucans.

Mushroom extracts FOR PETS!

The Benefits of Administering Functional Mushrooms to Dogs & Cats

Here are some of the benefits common to all functional mushrooms:

• Modulation of the immune system
• Support healthy intestinal bacteria
• Antioxidant
• Supports the body's natural inflammatory response

Depending on the mushroom, there are also other uses. For example, Cordyceps is ideal for a natural energy boost and supports lung health. Hericium may support cognition and healthy brain function. Reishi can be used as a calming agent and can also improve sleep quality.

What does adaptogen mean?

Certain mushrooms can also act as adaptogens when ingested. Adaptogens are stress response modifiers that improve the body's tone, vitality and function.

Adaptogens help the body adapt more easily to physical and emotional stress when used daily over a longer period of time. Here are some other benefits that adaptogens can provide:

• Increased attention and endurance
• Reduction of stress-related impairments and disorders related to the neuroendocrine and immune system
• Main clinical uses include: stress-related fatigue, impaired attention and mental performance, mental health, poor quality of life and as an aging tonic
• Adaptogens help the body better adapt to stressors by fine-tuning the stress response.

My favorite mushrooms as adaptogens are Cordyceps (energy, breathing), Reishi (longevity, calming), and Chaga (gut health).

What type of mushroom is best for my dog?

The fact that mushrooms share so many beneficial properties is wonderful, but it can also make choosing a specific mushroom for our pets' regimen confusing.

If you are considering mushrooms to support a specific health condition, it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about which mushroom would be best.