Wellness

By 

Emily Laurence

Jul 28, 2022

3

 Minute read

Should Your Pet Start 'Shrooming?

Experts weigh in on whether you should be feeding Fido fungi.

We’ve come a long way since it was common practice to serve our favorite furballs off-brand kibble from the corner store. These days, there’s a plethora of healthier options for our four-legged friends, even including fresh organic pet food made from the same high-quality ingredients humans eat. Along with this major diet upgrade, some believe our beloved critters should also be getting in on the supplement game. If humans benefit from adaptogenic mushrooms, can dogs and cats too? According to some veterinarians they can, but before sharing your favorite supplements with Spot, it’s important to get all the intel. Keep reading to find out whether your pet should start 'shrooming. 

What types of mushrooms are best for pets, and how can they be helpful?

Adaptogenic mushrooms, such as reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane, and others, are most often looked to for one specific benefit: stress relief. “Adaptogens by definition help the adrenal glands deal with stressors and may also help mentally to deal with stress,” says holistic veterinarian and President of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine Robert Silver, DVM, MS. And while your pet may seem to have it pretty good—blissfully napping away 10 hours of every day—they’re not immune from suffering stress, especially if they have to travel or adapt to new environments. “All critters, four-legged and two, can benefit from the stress-relieving properties of adaptogens,” says Dr. Silver.  

Angst-release isn’t the only benefit of adding adaptogenic mushrooms into your pet’s diet. According to Angie Krause, DVM, a veterinarian at Boulder Holistic Vet who often uses traditional Chinese medicine in her practice, the beta-glucans in adaptogenic mushrooms can also support an animal’s immune system. Additionally, adaptogenic mushrooms can help regulate an animal’s cholesterol and may positively affect brain health because of the fatty acids, alkaloids, and terpenes they contain.

But only very specific 'shrooms are safe for your pet. “It’s important to understand the difference between medicinal mushrooms and other varieties of mushrooms that could be toxic to dogs and other pets,” Dr. Krause says. “Many toxic mushrooms are found outdoors or in the homes of people that are recreationally using hallucinogenic mushrooms.” In other words, don’t allow your pet to just eat whatever is growing wild in your backyard, and certainly don’t try letting any beloved furry family members ’shroom on psilocybin. Instead, Dr. Kraus says mushrooms such as cordyceps, maitake, lion’s mane, and chaga are all safe bets and have the stress-reducing and immune-supporting benefits highlighted above. According to Dr. Silver, reishi and shiitake mushrooms are also safe for cats and dogs.

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How to safely and effectively feed your pet adaptogenic mushrooms

Making adaptogenic mushrooms part of your pet’s regular routine is the best way to maximize their benefits. “Mushrooms are not drugs; they are functional foods, and as such, they are most effective as a regular part of the lifestyle of the pet or the person—given daily for a long period of time,” says Dr. Silver.

It’s not always easy to get your pet to partake in such supplements, however. For example, Dr. Silver says that reishi tends to taste somewhat bitter, so your best bet may be serving it to your pet in capsule form. On the other hand, he recommends cooking tastier lion’s mane and shiitake mushrooms and then adding them to your pet’s regular food.

There are also adaptogenic mushroom products on the market specifically designed for pets, which may make supplementation simpler. Dr. Silver is the chief veterinary officer of Real Mushrooms, where he helps to oversee its Mushroom for Pets vertical. He recommends the organic brand’s soft chews that are made with a blend of reishi, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail, and chaga mushrooms. Another option he suggests is buying the specific mushroom you’re seeking in human-grade powder form, so that it can easily be mixed into a pet’s food, which helps to eliminate any stomach upset.

Before buying any store-sold supplement, however, Dr. Krause emphasizes the importance of researching the origin of its ingredients. “I recommend avoiding Amazon for the purchase of mushroom supplements due to the lack of regulation,” she says. It’s also important to look at the potency of the product, as Dr. Silver warns many contain ineffective filler. “The adaptogenic properties of mushrooms are found in greater quantities when the entire mushroom is used versus just the mycelium grown on grain,” he says. And of course, always consult your vet before adding anything new to your pet’s diet.

The good news is we’ve done some of the legwork for you. Below, we’ve shortlisted a few Shroomboom prescreened products for your pup or other pet that, if administered properly in an effective and safe format, may just make a world of difference to your fur-baby’s well-being.

Three 'Shroomy Supplements For Healthy Pets

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Shroomies Immunity Bites

$

30

USD

These chews are made from a blend of the fruiting bodies of seven different mushrooms: shiitake, turkey tail, lion’s mane, maitake, phellinus, cordyceps, and reishi. They’re formulated to boost your dog’s immunity and promote joint, heart, and cognitive health.

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Relax Pet Chews

$

35

USD

Dr. Silver recommends these calming chews for stressed or anxious pets. They contain lion’s mane and reishi mushrooms.

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Immune Support Chewable Tablets

$

30

USD

This immune-boosting supplement, which is safe for both dogs and cats, enhances liver and kidney function for optimal health. It contains a proprietary blend of turkey tail, maitake, cordyceps, lion’s mane, reishi, shiitake, and sun mushrooms to help your pet fend off illnesses.

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.