Why mushrooms?

Adding medicinal mushrooms to your dogs and cats diet can be invaluable in improving their quality of life. There are no other plants that can do what mushrooms can. Mushrooms are superfoods that promote a healthy body, including a healthy:

o   immune system

o   cardiovascular system

o   nervous system

o   blood pressure

o   blood sugar

o   liver function

o   digestive system

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies, more genetically complex and functionally superior to mycelium. The majority of medicinal mushrooms are known for their active polysaccharides called beta-D-glucans. Polysaccharides are carbohydrates made up of a long simple sugar, such as cellulose, glucose, and fructose. Beta-D-glucans are the most common polysaccharide found in the cell walls of mushrooms; Beta-D-glucans stimulate an increased immune response to fight off infections more effectively, while also regulating an overactive immune response.

Beta-D-glucan benefits play an important role in: 

o   Immune regulation 

o   Gut health 

o   Fighting infections 

o   Blood sugar and cholesterol regulation 

o   Innate immunity 

o   Adaptive immunity 

What medicinal mushrooms should I give my dog or cat?

This doesn’t mean go to your local grocery store and start feeding your pet white mushrooms. There are many different species each with their own unique benefits. This is a list of ten medicinal mushrooms that will improve your pet’s health:

1) Organic Lions Mane- Lions Mane Mushrooms have useful anti-inflammatory properties especially for pets with digestive conditions. Hericium erinaceus is an immunomodulator that is useful for many conditions where immunity is compromised. Lions Mane Mushrooms also have positive effects on:

•         Brain health
•         White blood cell regeneration
•         Circulatory health
•         Eye Health

2) Organic Reishi - Known as the mushrooms of immortality, Reishi mushrooms boost overall health. Secondary metabolites called triterpenoids found in Reshi set it apart from all other medicinal mushrooms. They have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immune strengthening properties. Reishi mushrooms are known to:

•         Improve heart health
•         Relieve pain
•         Enhance liver function
•         Strengthen the immune system
•         Stimulate antihistamine release

3) Organic Shiitake - The second most popular cultivated mushroom in the world. Packed with minerals such as zinc, iron, and magnesium, Shiitake mushrooms are significantly beneficial to your dog’s health. They also have 10 amino acids and 30 different enzymes. Shiitake mushrooms can also:

•         Stimulates white blood cells
•         Improves circulation
•         Helps with urinary incontinency
•         Lower cholesterol
•         Lessen allergy symptoms

4) Organic Cordyceps- A fun fact about Cordyceps mushrooms is that they are traditionally grown on caterpillars making them very expensive to harvest. Today it is being cultivated on substrates free from any insects. Cordyceps are known to have antifungal and antibacterial properties. Cordyceps are also know to:

•         Protect against heart disease
•         Antitumor properties
•         Defend against liver disease

5) Organic Maitake - One of the main mushrooms used to treat cancer in pets. Research has demonstrated the activity of Maitake beta-glucans as immune system potentiators.  Maitake mushrooms are known too also:

•         Stimulates t-cells
•         Lower cholesterol
•         Manage diabetes
•         Help dogs with liver problems
•         Brain health

6) Organic Turkey Tail- Known for their high levels of Beta-D-glucans, Turkey Tail Mushrooms help the body fight off disease and infections. They are also known to:

•         Decrease inflammation in the digestive tract
•         Lessen the effects of chemotherapy and radiation
•         Help pulmonary disorders
•         Help urinary inflammation
•         Maintain joint mobility

7) Organic Chaga – Rich in antioxidants, Chagas are known for their immune boosting properties. Chaga is a sterile conk or canker, a hardened mass of woody tissue, and not a mushroom at all. Chagas are also known to:

•         Improve endurance
•         Increase energy
•         Normal inflammatory response
•         Fight free radicals

8) Organic Oyster - High levels of vitamin D and selenium make Oyster Mushrooms a great choice for your pet’s health. They also have enough statins to be of significant value to your pet’s health. Oyster Mushrooms are also known to:

•         Boost the immune system
•         Help maintain a healthy weight
•         Improve nervous system function
•         Increase energy

9) Organic Poria – Poria’s have been used holistically for thousands of years. Poria is a sclerotium, a hardened mass of mycelium that forms on the roots of trees. Porias are most known too:

•         Aid a healthy inflammatory response
•         Antioxidant protection
•         Enhancing immune response

10) Organic Tremellia - Widely used in beauty products for its moisturizing properties and positive effects on the skin. Those same benefits are experienced by your pet.

How to feed mushrooms to your pet

First thing you need to know is that raw mushrooms are hard for your dog to digest and can be toxic. One of the easiest ways to add mushrooms to your dog’s diet is with a supplement. Be sure to give your dog the proper dosage of any supplement you plan to give them. Remember not all supplements are created equally. Look for products with organic mushrooms made from fruiting bodies and with no mycelium, grain, or starch. When you’re shopping for a supplement, make sure your product reveals its actual composition. Just because the product literature screams ‘mushroom’, it doesn’t mean that it contains the appropriate quantity of the fruiting body. Most mycelium products are grown on grains like rice, oats, or sorghum, making it impossible to separate the grains from the mycelium. This means there’s high amounts of starch. The grain acts as a filler and dilutes the product since it does not contain any active compounds. Many mushroom products claim to have high polysaccharides, but there are many different types of polysaccharides and beta glucans are the most effective. When considering adding medicinal mushrooms to your pet’s diet it is important to consult with your veterinarian.

Upgrade Your Pet’s Health the Natural Way

At Fera Pet Organics, we’re committed to using only the most natural high-quality ingredients to keep your furry family members healthy and happy for as long as possible. 

Ready to learn more about naturally maintaining your pet’s health? Be sure to follow us on Facebook,  Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest  to stay up-to-date on the latest news and deals for our fellow pet parents. We’d love to hear from you! What do you want to learn about next? Do you have any comments or questions? Reach us at hello@ferapetorganics.com!