can dogs eat mushrooms

Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? Some Info To Know For Your Canine Companion

If you have a dog and you’re wondering, “Can dogs eat mushrooms?” then you have come to the right place. We supply lots of info on this page

Can dogs eat mushrooms? It’s an important consideration to make, especially since dogs are often curious as they romp around the yard or woods. There are many wild mushrooms that dogs should avoid, but there are edible, gourmet mushrooms that dogs can eat without problems. In fact, there are even some mushrooms that can help enhance your dog’s health. Today we are looking at the subject of dogs eating mushrooms. We provide some additional information below, including mushroom species that dogs can safely eat. 

Can dogs eat mushrooms? Looking at appropriate species

It is safe to say that any mushroom humans avoid eating, like the deathcap or destroying angel, should also be avoided by dogs. When you first introduce mushrooms into your dog’s diet, you should be sure to do it slowly and carefully.

As with any new food, too much of it from the start could upset your dog’s stomach or digestion. It is recommended to introduce the mushrooms by themselves, without any other new food being added into the diet at the time. You can combine the mushrooms with other staples of your dog’s diet if preferred. However, you should not add any type of sauces to mask the taste of the mushrooms. Simply cook the mushrooms over heat and serve to your dog, or added to other foods, like some meat, peas, or sweet potatoes.

Can dogs eat mushrooms? When it comes to the mushrooms most appropriate for your dog, we recommend: shiitake, king trumpet, reishi, maitake, or turkey tail. Let’s take a look at each of these now.

Shiitake mushroom: Shiitakes are chalk full of enzymes, amino acids, and minerals. These mushrooms will help the most in inhibiting tumor growth and helping with inflammation. For older dogs with incontinence problems, this mushroom can also help regulate that issue. The shiitake has a strong earthy and nutty flavor, so your dog will likely enjoy the taste.

King trumpet mushrooms: King trumpet mushroom is a predator of nematodes and part of the genus Pleurotus. This entire genus has the capacity to trap and consume nematodes. If unchecked, nematodes can cause issues in the small intestines of domestic animals. 

Maitake mushroom: Like the shiitake, the maitake is gaining popularity in the west. This is another great option for helping to prevent cancer, as well as provide liver support for dogs. For dogs that seemingly are lacking energy, maitake may be able to help.

Turkey tail mushroom: Turkey tail is unlike shiitake and maitake in that it is rarely eaten as a food. This mushroom is purely used for its medicinal properties. It has also been the subject of studies, which helps provide legitimacy to its use. One such study, entitled Single Agent Polysaccharopeptide Delays Metastases and Improves Survival in Naturally Occurring Hemangiosarcoma  took a look at the efficacy of turkey tail (Coriolus versicolor) against cancer in dogs. The results found that dogs taking I’m Yunity, which is a branded version of turkey tail extract made in China. Here is a look at the study’s findings:

“It is noteworthy that the median survival time for dogs in the 100 mg/kg/day treatment group (199 days) was longer than that which is reported for dogs receiving doxorubicin based chemotherapeutic protocols (141 to 179 days). Based on this data, one could hypothesize that PSP has the potential to have effects on survival similar to that which is seen with standard of care chemotherapy.”

Reishi mushroom: Similar to turkey tail, reishi mushroom is known for its medicinal properties and have been used for thousands of years in China. It is not eaten as food, but used to make tea, tincture, or a powdered supplement. Reishi helps stimulate the immune system and provides support to the liver and heart. This mushroom can also help slow signs of aging due to its antioxidant effects. Dogs with joint issues and arthritis may also be able to benefit from reishi. The king oyster is another worthy mushroom for dogs to eat. We address this mushroom below.

Can dogs eat mushrooms? Some mushrooms provide enhancements to health

Has your dog ever experienced hookworm (A. caninum)? It is a nematode that impacts the small intestine of dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. Hookworm can have a major impact on the health of your pet, particularly in areas of digestion. A domestic animal with hookworm may have trouble eating, and the problem can lead to a shortened life span. King trumpet mushroom is a predator of nematodes and part of the genus Pleurotus. This entire genus has the capacity to trap and consume nematodes.

Visit this article on our website where Willie discusses this topic in greater depth. There is even a video you can watch. Mushrooms also enhance the health of those consuming them because they are full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and a slew of other healthful constituents. Trupanion, a website that shares information on medical insurance for pets, outlines many of the benefits in adding mushrooms to your dog’s diet. Here is the list of reasons they recommend:

  • Support liver and kidney function
  • Improve nutrition in weak animals
  • Stabilize blood sugar and metabolism
  • Lower cholesterol, boost weight loss, and aid in preventing fatty liver disease
  • Help prevent viral infections
  • Boost immune system
  • Reduce blood pressure
  • Prevent heart disease
  • Prevent and battle cancer

Can dogs eat mushrooms? Grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home for you and your dogs!

Can dogs eat mushrooms? Yes, if you choose the right mushrooms and approach the process with care.

You can grow your own mushrooms at home for you or your dog friends! We have an array of mushroom growing kits available, which you can see here. We even have kits to grow shiitake, king oyster, and reishi, which were some of the most potent mushrooms listed above for dog health.

Do you feed mushrooms to your dog?

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