The Power of Medicinal Mushrooms for Pets: A Veterinarian’s Perspective
As a veterinarian, I am always on the lookout for natural, safe, and effective ways to support the health and well-being of our pets. One exciting development in the field of pet nutrition and veterinary medicine is the growing use of medicinal mushrooms. While mushrooms have long been consumed for their health benefits in traditional cultures, their specific medicinal properties have recently gained attention in both human and veterinary medicine. These aren’t the wild foraged mushrooms you might find in the woods, which can sometimes be toxic. Please don’t feed these to your pets! Medicinal mushrooms are specific species cultivated for their powerful bioactive compounds, carefully grown in controlled environments to ensure safety, efficacy and therapeutic potency. This makes them an excellent addition to your pet’s diet (and already included in Big Dog’s new Nourished Nutrition range!)
Unlike wild mushrooms, which may be hazardous due to their potential toxicity, medicinal mushrooms have long been recognized for their health-enhancing properties and have been safely utilised in traditional medicine for centuries. Modern scientific research now supports these traditional uses, revealing that specific mushrooms like reishi, shiitake, maitake, and turkey tail contain bioactive compounds that can bolster immune function, reduce inflammation, and serve as powerful antioxidants. But how do these fungi achieve such effects, and why should they be considered for your pet's health?
The Science Behind Medicinal Mushrooms
Immune-Boosting properties
Medicinal mushrooms have been extensively studied for their immunomodulatory effects, meaning they help regulate and support the immune system. A key component of these mushrooms is beta-glucans, a type of polysaccharide known for enhancing immune function. While beta-glucans are also present in foods like barley and oats, the unique structure of those found in mushrooms makes them particularly effective. Research shows that beta-glucans from mushrooms such as reishi and maitake can activate key immune cells like macrophages and natural killer cells, both of which play crucial roles in fighting infections and even cancer. For instance, a recent study by Abugomaa et al. (2023) demonstrated that Chaga, a medicinal mushroom, exhibited anti-cancer activity against bladder cancer in dogs.
Anti-inflammatory capabilities
Beyond their immune-boosting properties, medicinal mushrooms are also renowned for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. Inflammation is a primary contributor to many chronic conditions in pets, including joint pain, skin disorders, and digestive issues. The beta-glucans in mushrooms help regulate inflammation, offering a natural approach to managing these issues. A review by Amaral et al. (2024) highlighted the role of beta-glucans in treating common pet ailments such as skin diseases, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, showing how these mushrooms can support pets' long-term health.
Antioxidant properties
Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of medicinal mushrooms, such as those found in shiitake and turkey tail, make them even more powerful in promoting health. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals, helping reduce oxidative stress, which contributes to aging and disease progression. By combining their immune-regulating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits, medicinal mushrooms offer a holistic, natural solution for improving pets' overall well-being, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.
Gut Health
Lastly (and my favourite topic!), emerging evidence suggests that medicinal mushrooms may play a key role in supporting gut health (Jayachandran et al., 2017). The gut biome is a crucial aspect of your pet’s overall well-being, influencing everything from digestion to immune function. Certain medicinal mushrooms act as prebiotics, providing essential nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria. By promoting a healthy and balanced gut flora, these mushrooms can improve digestion while simultaneously strengthening your pet’s immune system, creating a solid foundation for their overall health.
Are Medicinal Mushrooms the New CBD Oil?
With numerous benefits, medicinal mushrooms may be seen as the next big thing in pet health, similar to CBD oil. While CBD oil has gained significant attention for managing pain, anxiety, and inflammation, medicinal mushrooms provide a broader range of advantages, especially in supporting immune health and combating oxidative stress. CBD has certainly been transformative for pets with specific conditions like anxiety or arthritis, but the growing body of evidence around medicinal mushrooms indicates they could have an equally, if not more significant, impact on overall health and longevity.
In contrast to CBD, which is typically used for targeted issues, medicinal mushrooms can easily be integrated into your pet’s daily diet for continuous support. Whether you aim to boost your pet’s immune system, reduce inflammation, or assist them during cancer treatment, medicinal mushrooms offer a wide array of benefits. Like CBD, the research supporting their use continues to expand, highlighting the potential of these fungi to revolutionise pet care.
How to Feed Medicinal Mushrooms
Feeding your pet medicinal mushrooms is simpler than you might think! Many pet owners are already familiar with culinary mushrooms found in supermarkets, such as white button or Swiss brown mushrooms, which are also safe for pets. While these common varieties offer health benefits, medicinal mushrooms like reishi, cordyceps, and turkey tail pack higher concentrations of bioactive compounds that provide even more potent therapeutic effects.
When browsing medicinal mushroom products, you'll typically encounter two types: extracts (like 30:1 beta-glucans) and whole food powders. Extracts are concentrated forms that deliver a higher potency of specific active compounds, making them suitable for addressing particular health issues. However, they tend to be more expensive. On the other hand, whole mushroom powders retain the full spectrum of the mushroom's nutrients, making them an excellent choice for general health, immune support, and antioxidant benefits. For everyday wellness, whole mushroom powders are often recommended, while extracts are best reserved for targeted therapeutic use. One of my favourite options is Big Dog’s new Nourish Nutrition range, which simplifies incorporating these powerful mushrooms into your pet’s diet. This range includes medicinal mushrooms in its carefully balanced raw food formulations, ensuring your pet receives a daily dose of immune-boosting, inflammation-fighting compounds.
It's worth noting that you can't really overdo it with medicinal mushrooms. While it's important to follow dosage recommendations for supplements, adding culinary mushrooms to your pet’s meals is generally safe, even if they are already on a mushroom supplement. Just remember to cook the mushrooms first; this breaks down their cell walls, making it easier for your pet to absorb the nutrients. A good rule of thumb is that 10-25% of a dog's total diet can consist of vegetables. However, this guideline doesn't apply when adding a mushroom supplement since it typically contains extracted active compounds rather than bulk vegetable matter. And let’s not forget our feline friends—cats can also benefit from medicinal mushrooms, although they usually consume less vegetable matter overall, typically making up less than 10% of their diet.
Conclusion
Medicinal mushrooms are an exciting new tool in the toolkit for keeping our pets healthy. With their ability to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, fight oxidative stress, and promote gut health, they offer a natural, science-backed solution for improving overall well-being. Whether you’re feeding them through supplements like Big Dog’s Nourished Nutrition range or adding a few shiitake mushrooms to your pet’s dinner, incorporating mushrooms into your pet’s diet is a simple way to boost their health. As research continues to emerge, there’s no doubt that medicinal mushrooms will become a staple in natural pet care, offering a wealth of benefits for pets of all ages and health statuses.
About the Author - Dr. Nicole Rous
Dr. Nicole Rous completed her degree with Honours from the University of Sydney in 2008. She initially worked in the UK before returning to small animal practice in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Nicole has a keen interest in animal reproduction and has been granted Membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in this specialty. She is also passionate about complementary therapies such as massage and enjoys discussing ways to enhance pets' overall well-being and quality of life.
In August 2021, Dr. Nicole joined the Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery team as a director and continues to provide exceptional care to her patients. She is dedicated to utilising her knowledge and experience to assist pets in living longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Dr. Nicole's commitment to providing natural and holistic health practices for pets inspired her to establish Shy Tiger, a company that offers natural pet products made from premium ingredients sourced primarily from Australian farms and producers. Her expertise in natural health practices and dedication to providing excellent care to her patients make her a reliable partner for pet owners in Melbourne and beyond.
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References
Abugomaa, A., Elbadawy, M., Ishihara, Y., Yamamoto, H., Kaneda, M., Yamawaki, H., Shinohara, Y., Usui, T., & Sasaki, K. (2023). Anti-cancer activity of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) against dog bladder cancer organoids. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, 1159516.
Amaral, A. R., Risolia, L. W., Rentas, M. F., Marchi, P. H., de Carvalho Balieiro, J. C., Vendramini, T. H. A., & Brunetto, M. A. (2024). Translating human and animal model studies to dogs' and cats' veterinary care: Beta-glucans application for skin disease, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease management. Microorganisms, 12, 1071.
Jayachandran, M., Xiao, J., & Xu, B. (2017). A critical review on health-promoting benefits of edible mushrooms through gut microbiota. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1934.