Medicinal mushrooms are not just a trendy health food for humans; they offer numerous benefits for our canine companions too. These fungi contain gut-nourishing prebiotic fibers, immune-boosting beta-glucans, polyphenols, and much more. Let’s dive into how mushrooms can support your dog's health and well-being.
Ancient Wisdom and Modern Uses
Thousands of years ago, civilizations in Peru, Greece, and beyond used mushrooms as medicine. While not all mushrooms are edible (some can be harmful or worse), the general rule of thumb is that if a mushroom is safe for humans, it’s also safe for dogs. Toxic to humans? Then, definitely toxic to dogs too.
Versatility in Use
Mushrooms are incredibly versatile. They can be used in teas, broths, and even iced treats. Here’s how they can benefit your dog:
Detoxification: Help cleanse and protect cells.
Immune System Modulation: Boost and regulate immune responses.
Nutrient Boost: Packed with vital nutrients.
Gut Health: Feed probiotics and improve gut health.
Anti-Viral and Anti-Bacterial: Fight off harmful pathogens.
Anti-Inflammatory: Prevent and reduce inflammation.
Brain Support: Enhance cognitive functions.
Preparation Tips
Most mushrooms can be consumed fresh, dehydrated, powdered, or as supplements. For maximum benefit, it’s often best to cook them as this increases the bioactive compounds.
Safety First
If your dog consumes wild mushrooms, contact your vet immediately and try to take a picture of the mushrooms for identification.
Vitamin D Boost
Mushrooms are rich in vitamin D. To boost levels, wash them, place them upside down in direct sunlight for 15 minutes. This can increase vitamin D by as much as 15% (1150 times for shiitake mushrooms after 8 hours).
Safe Mushroom List and Their Benefits
Reishi:
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, detoxifying, immune regulation, cancer-fighting.
Preparation: Sauté in butter or olive oil, or boil into a broth or tea.
Chaga:
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, supports the immune system.
Preparation: Best boiled to make tea or broth, often found as a powdered supplement.
Lions Mane (yamabushitake):
Benefits: Supports nerve growth and repair, improves gut health, anti-aging, mood regulation.
Preparation: Can be eaten raw, cooked, or boiled.
Turkey Tail:
Benefits: Slows cancer growth, reduces inflammation, supports gut health.
Preparation: Best boiled into a tea or broth, can also be dehydrated.
Maitake (hen of the woods):
Benefits: Anti-tumour, immune-boosting, supports glucose metabolism.
Preparation: Best boiled as a tea or broth, or sautéed.
Oyster:
Benefits: Supports lung health, decreases blood pressure, may help inhibit cancer growth.
Preparation: Very soft when sautéed.
Shiitake:
Benefits: Enhances immune system, slows tumour growth, antioxidant-rich.
Preparation: Best when sautéed or dehydrated.
Cordyceps:
Benefits: Immune support, antioxidant, anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory.
Preparation: Commonly found in supplement form, best boiled into tea or broth if whole.
Shimeji (white beech/seafood mushrooms):
Benefits: Anti-cancer, heart-protecting, antimicrobial.
Preparation: Best cooked as they are very bitter otherwise.
Portobello:
Benefits: High in potassium.
Preparation: Sauté, grill, or dehydrate.
Cremini (white or button):
Benefits: Improves insulin resistance, acts as probiotics.
Preparation: Sauté, grill, or dehydrate.
Cinnamon Cap:
Benefits: Reduces inflammation, lowers cholesterol.
Preparation: Great for sautéing.
Shimofuri Hiratake (black pearl):
Benefits: Lowers cholesterol, inhibits certain cancers.
Preparation: Best in soups or stews, can be sautéed too.
General Note: Any mushroom safe for human consumption is generally safe for dogs. For more detailed mushroom recipes, check out our recipes section.
What about the science?: