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Wanna know why you need to start supplementing your dog’s diet with certain mushrooms? Because nothing compares to the nutritional healing power of the best medicinal mushrooms for dogs. Even if your dog is not raw-fed, mushrooms are the perfect way to boost your dog’s health.
Read about the benefits of raw feeding here: Why You Should Feed Your Dog a Raw Diet.
These mushrooms not only help prevent and protect against disease, but also aid in cell regeneration and fight inflammation. They have also been noted to regulate blood pressure, slow cognitive decline, and inhibit tumor growth.
Mushrooms are immune-boosting AND cancer-fighting. I will gladly add these to my dog’s bowl.
Research shows mushrooms have a wide range of health benefits for people and pets alike, so if you lean more toward natural remedies and want to give your dog the perfect boost of nutrition, try adding these mushrooms to your pup’s bowl.
Lion’s Mane
Let’s start with Lion’s Mane…
Lion’s Mane is the perfect choice for senior dogs. This white fluffy mushroom contains a powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy brain and neurological function in dogs.
Canine cognitive dysfunction is basically Alzheimer’s in dogs. As our pets age, they may experience memory loss, disorientation, and changes in social behavior. Studies have shown two compounds in Lion’s Mane mushrooms that can stimulate the growth of brain cells.
This mushroom has a calming effect for dogs that tend to be hyper or anxious. It also helps maintain ideal blood sugar levels, which can help your diabetic pet.
With all the amazing benefits, it’s an ideal preventive measure when your dog is younger to help keep them healthy into their golden years.
What else is Lion’s Mane good for?
- Antibiotic properties
- Antibacterial properties
- Lowering abnormally high glucose levels (anti-diabetic)
- Anti-fatigue
- Anti-inflammatory
- Slows aging
- Immune-boosting
- Improving gut health
- Improving heart health
Cordyceps for cancer?
These crazy looking mushrooms are known for their remarkable anti-tumor properties. Studies show they are effective at preventing and treating cancer in dogs.
Cordyceps also supports lung function during heavy exercise, boosting performance and endurance. Because it’s a great supplement for the respiratory system, it’s also known to relieve allergies and calm asthma. Cordyceps is the perfect addition for active dogs and those with respiratory issues.
Furthermore, cordyceps supports liver detoxification, helping maintain healthy liver function. This mushroom is also a good choice for supplementing a dog with kidney disease. Unfortunately, because of the processed diet, many dogs and especially cats will battle kidney disease.
Cordyceps are also helpful for the following:
- Asthama
- Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Chronic liver disorders
- Kidney failure
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Geriatric disorders
You should definitely add these to the mix of your medicinal mushrooms for dogs. One in four dogs will develop cancer at some point in their lives and 50% of dogs over ten years old will get cancer. I don’t like those odds.
Shiitake
Shiitake. The Powerhouse of Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs
Shiitake mushrooms are more common in grocery stores, so you have probably seen these guys around. Just because they are common does not mean they are any less amazing for your dog’s health.
These high-fiber mushrooms will keep your dog’s digestive system running smoothly. Fiber is key to a healthy gut and avoiding constipation.
Shiitake mushrooms contain 30 different enzymes and are loaded with minerals and amino acids. They stimulate white blood cells, improve circulation, and inhibit tumor growth. Shiitake are used for:
- Managing side effects of chemotherapy and radiation
- Reducing signs of oxidative stress
- Treating Cushing’s disease
- Anti-cancer properties
- Soothing bronchial inflammation
- Improving digestion and gastrointestinal health
- Regulating urinary incontinence
- Reducing allergies
Immune-Boosting Turkey Tail
All of the best medicinal mushrooms for dogs have immune-boosting powers. This is due to betaglucans and phytochemicals. Betaglucans boost immunity by stimulating immune cells, and phytochemicals protect the body from disease.
Turkey tail also shows promise as an additional cancer treatment. In one study, the effects of the mushrooms increased the survival time of human breast cancer patients. Use turkey tail mushrooms for the following:
- Managing side effects of chemo or radiation
- Supporting respiratory health (think of that nasty respiratory illness)
- Possibly delaying cancer spread
- Possibly increases survival times of cancer patients
- Maintaining normal histamine levels
- Enhancing liver and kidney function
Reishi
Reishi mushrooms… the mushroom of immortality.
The reishi mushroom is the full package. They help regulate the body’s inflammatory response related to diseases like arthritis. The reishi offers some relief from the stiffness and soreness that come with your dog’s aging joints.
They are the perfect addition to overall health because of their anti-tumor and anti-viral properties, as well as their support for inflammation and immunity. If your dog suffers from any of the following, you should include reishi mushrooms.
- Allergies
- Pain with arthritis
- Heart disease
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Compromised immune systems / cancer
- Liver disease
The Impressive Maitake Mushroom
The beautiful maitake mushroom resembles a blooming flower. The name itself means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. These mushrooms have some serious nutritional capacity!
Maitake mushrooms are another anti-cancer mushroom known to inhibit tumor growth and are often used to support the body during chemo and other cancer treatments. They also help manage diabetes and support healthy liver function.
Check out this list of benefits:
- Stimulates T-cells
- Lowers cholesterol
- Manages Diabetes
- Supports healthy liver function
- Cancer support and prevention
How to Feed Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs
Now, I know a lot of the ailments treated by medicinal mushrooms are seen in senior animals. But if you start adding these incredible health-boosting supplements when your dog is young, you will witness the benefits throughout their life.
The preventive effects of these miracle plants have been demonstrated in multiple studies in humans and animals. Want to learn more? Check out this article about the benefits of mushrooms for pets.
So where do you start?
There are a few options to feed your dog medicinal mushrooms. They come in capsule, powder, and tincture forms. You can also easily make a tea or mushroom broth with dried mushrooms.
Mushroom powders are a convenient way to choose the types of mushrooms you want to feed your dog according to the ailment. You can purchase individual powders or a mixture of many. There are human supplements and dog and cat supplements.
Don’t let all the different choices intimidate you. Go with one that will be easy to implement and fit into your daily feeding routine.
One of the supplements we have personally tried is Five Defenders by Real Mushrooms. This powder contains an organic blend of five powerful mushrooms to boost your dog’s immune system, on top of the other benefits of each mushroom.
For me organic supplements are really important. I always try to keep the toxic load on my dog as low as possible. I highly recommend you do your own research and choose an option that is best for you and your pet.
Please let me know what you have tried! Wag on my friends
