Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? Discover Safe Varieties and Benefits Here
· by Glendon Lloyd Dip.Canine.Nutrition Dip.Dog.Nutrigenomics
Are Mushrooms Safe for Dogs? Potent Benefits (and Some Cautions)
Mushrooms are one of nature’s most powerful foods, offering numerous health benefits to both humans and dogs. However, the question “Can dogs eat mushrooms?” has a nuanced answer: yes, they can and they should—provided they are the right kind of mushrooms. This article explores the benefits of mushrooms for dogs, highlights which mushrooms are safe and which are not, and provides guidance on how to safely incorporate them into your dog’s diet.
Summary
Mushrooms, particularly medicinal mushrooms, can be a highly beneficial addition to your dog’s diet, offering numerous health benefits such as boosting the immune system, fighting cancer, and improving liver and gut health. However, it’s crucial to differentiate between safe and toxic mushrooms. This article provides detailed insights on identifying poisonous mushrooms, the symptoms of mushroom poisoning, and lists various mushrooms that are safe and beneficial for dogs. It also offers guidance on how to prepare mushrooms for your dog and answers frequently asked questions regarding the use of mushrooms in canine diets.
How quickly do dogs get sick from poisonous mushrooms?
Identifying Poisonous Mushrooms
There are over 14,000 mushroom species, many of which are edible and beneficial. However, some mushrooms are highly toxic and can be deadly. To avoid accidental poisoning, it’s crucial to know how to identify toxic mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms often share these characteristics:
White gills: The underside of the mushroom cap.
Red coloration: Often a warning sign in nature.
A ring around the stem: Also known as an annulus.
A volva: A bulbous base often buried underground.
If your dog ingests a mushroom with any of these features, seek veterinary care immediately.
Poisonous Mushrooms
Some mushrooms are particularly dangerous to dogs, including:
Mechanisms: Turkey tail contains unique beta-glucans that stimulate immune response and have been extensively researched for their anti-cancer properties. They improve gut health by acting as prebiotics.
Mechanisms: Lion’s mane promotes nerve growth factor (NFG) which supports brain health, especially beneficial for senior dogs. Its antioxidants combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Mechanisms: Cordyceps enhance cellular energy and oxygen utilization, boosting performance and reducing fatigue. Their anti-tumour properties help prevent cancer.
Benefits: Cancer support, blood sugar regulation, immune boost.
Key Compounds: D-fraction (beta-glucans and protein).
Mechanisms: Maitake’s D-fraction stimulates immune cells to attack cancer cells and regulates blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for diabetic dogs.
Mechanisms: Chaga’s antioxidants and polyphenols combat free radicals, while triterpenoids provide potent anti-cancer effects. Its beta-glucans support overall immune health.
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cancer prevention, joint health.
Key Compounds: Beta-glucans, proteoglycans.
Mechanisms: Phellinus boosts immune activity and reduces inflammation, supporting joint health and potentially replacing antibiotics for certain infections.
Mechanisms: Reishi’s triterpenoids and ganoderic acid modulate the immune system, reducing histamine release and managing allergies. Its antioxidants detoxify and protect the liver.
Benefits: Heart health, immune support, cancer prevention, digestive aid.
Key Compounds: Lentinan, enzymes, amino acids.
Mechanisms: Shiitake’s lentinan boosts immune function and fights cancer. Its enzymes aid digestion, while amino acids support overall health and performance.
Nutrients and Mechanisms of Action
Mushrooms provide a wealth of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including:
Minerals: Selenium, zinc, potassium, which support various bodily functions.
Vitamins: B complex, folic acid, pro-vitamin D, essential for metabolism and immune health.
Compounds: Terpenes, alkaloids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Prebiotics: Support gut health by feeding beneficial gut bacteria.
These nutrients and compounds work together to boost the immune system, fight cancer, reduce inflammation, improve liver function, and support overall health.
How to Feed Mushrooms to Your Dog
When feeding mushrooms to your dog, it’s important to follow these guidelines:
Use Store-Bought Mushrooms: Mushrooms like button and portobello are safe and nutritious.
Cook Mushrooms: Cooking breaks down the tough cell walls and neutralizes potentially harmful substances.
Use Whole Mushroomsor Dried Mushroom Powders: Avoid solely mycelium-based products, which have less beta-glucan. The health benefits of medicinal mushrooms for your dog are significant.
Buy Dog Foods with Mushrooms: This is the easiest, and safest, way to add the benefits of mushrooms to your dog’s diet in the knowledge that they will be getting an efficacious dose.
Medicinal Mushroom Supplements: Adding these to your dog’s daily diet offers significant benefits in many areas of their health and wellbeing
Dosage: Follow dosage instructions on supplements or adjust based on your dog’s weight.
Mushroom Broth Recipe
Combine dried mushrooms with enough water to cover them in a pan.
Bring to a boil and simmer until mushrooms are soft.
Strain and save the broth or serve as a stew.
Give your dog ½ ml per 5 lbs of body weight.
FAQ – Mushrooms for Dogs
Can dogs eat mushrooms?
Yes, dogs can eat certain mushrooms that are safe and beneficial. Store-bought mushrooms like button and portobello are safe, as are specific medicinal mushrooms with health-boosting properties.
What are the benefits of mushrooms for dogs?
Mushrooms can boost the immune system, fight cancer, support liver function, improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Which mushrooms are safe for dogs to eat?
Safe mushrooms include store-bought varieties like button and portobello, as well as medicinal mushrooms like turkey tail, lion’s mane, cordyceps, maitake, chaga, phellinus, reishi, and shiitake.
Which mushrooms are poisonous to dogs?
Poisonous mushrooms include Amanita phalloides (Death Cap), Galerina marginata (Autumn Galerina), Amanita gemmata (Jeweled Deathcap), Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric), and others. These can cause severe health issues and even death.
How should mushrooms be prepared for dogs?
Mushrooms should be cooked to break down their tough cell walls and neutralize harmful substances. You can also use mushroom powders or make a mushroom broth for easy feeding.
Can dogs eat raw mushrooms?
No, dogs should not eat raw mushrooms. Raw mushrooms have a tough cell wall and may contain harmful substances. Cooking makes the nutrients more accessible and safe for your dog.
What are the healthiest mushrooms for dogs?
Some of the healthiest mushrooms for dogs include turkey tail, lion’s mane, cordyceps, maitake, chaga, phellinus, reishi, and shiitake. These mushrooms are rich in beneficial compounds that support overall health.
Can mushrooms help dogs’ immune system?
Yes, mushrooms can significantly boost a dog’s immune system. They contain beta-glucans and other immune-modulating compounds that enhance the body’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.
What mushrooms are good for senior dogs?
Mushrooms like lion’s mane and reishi are particularly beneficial for senior dogs. Lion’s mane supports cognitive function and brain health, while reishi helps manage allergies, supports heart health, and has anti-aging properties.
Can dogs eat closed cup mushrooms?
Yes, closed cup mushrooms (button mushrooms) are safe for dogs to eat when cooked. They are nutritious and provide various health benefits without the risks associated with wild mushrooms.
How quickly do dogs get sick from poisonous mushrooms?
The onset of symptoms from mushroom poisoning can vary, but dogs typically start showing signs within 6-12 hours after ingestion. However, some mushrooms can cause delayed symptoms, appearing 24 hours or more after ingestion. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if mushroom poisoning is suspected.
In conclusion, when chosen and prepared correctly, mushrooms can be a powerful addition to your dog’s diet, providing numerous health benefits. However, caution is necessary to avoid toxic varieties.
Bonza Superfoods and Ancient Grains includes both Reishi Mushroom and Mushroom powder to extend the health benefits its plant-based food offers your dog.
About Glendon Lloyd Dip.Canine.Nutrition Dip.Dog.Nutrigenomics
I have had dogs from the day I was born. Much to my Mum's amusement, my Dad bought home Zetta, a beautiful corgi pupp , as his contribution to our new family!
Fast forward to 2018 and Catherine, my wife, and one of our dogs Poppy, were both diagnosed and treated for cancer within months of each other
Diet and its impact on health, cancer particularly, led me down a rabbit hole of discovery.
I consumed information voraciously - on our diets, our dogs' diets and the impact these have not just on health but also the health of our increasingly fragile planet.
I was humbled by the time and expertise given so freely by doctors and vets, canine nutritionists and scientists, academics and agronomists. The more I learned the more I understood there had to be a better way to improve not just our health but also our dogs and the planet's.
The result of my trip down that rabbit hole is Bonza, a plant-based dog food (and now supplements) that elevate our dogs' diet beyond simple nutrition to a diet that inspires a healthier everyday life for our dogs and the planet.
I am continually researching the nutritional impact our dogs' diets have on their health and wellbeing and the ingredients and nutrients we should include in, and exclude from, their food to deliver longer, healthier lives.
I am delighted that my trip down the rabbit hole has led to me completing a Diploma in Canine Nutrigenomics and a Diploma in Canine Nutrition being awarded a Distinction for both my coursework and theses!
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