Shiitake Mushrooms for Dogs: Immune Support, Antioxidant Protection & Whole-Body Benefits

Evidence-based Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms for Dogs

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are among the world’s most extensively researched medicinal fungi, consumed for over 2,000 years across East Asia for both their nutritional value and therapeutic properties. Rich in a unique profile of bioactive compounds — including the immunomodulatory polysaccharide lentinan, the cholesterol-lowering purine derivative eritadenine, and the rare antioxidant amino acid ergothioneine — shiitake delivers multi-system health benefits with particular relevance to immune function, antioxidant defence and metabolic health in dogs. Critically, unlike many medicinal mushrooms whose benefits are extrapolated entirely from human or rodent research, shiitake has direct canine evidence: a 2024 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science demonstrated that shiitake powder supplementation significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, upregulated sirtuin1 mRNA expression, and reduced plasma total cholesterol in healthy dogs — establishing a direct evidence base for the mechanisms that underpin shiitake’s traditional reputation.¹

Bonza includes shiitake powder in Boost Bioactive Bites — our supplement formulated to ensure nutritional completeness and balance for home-cooked (plant-based or meat-based), BARF and raw-fed dogs, to provide nutritional support for senior dogs and for general health and vitality. In Boost, shiitake works alongside a comprehensive suite of ingredients designed to support immune function, antioxidant protection and whole-body wellness through the “One Gut. Whole Dog.” philosophy that underpins every Bonza formulation.

This article examines the peer-reviewed evidence behind shiitake’s bioactive compounds, their mechanisms of action, and the specific ways they support canine health — including their interactions with the gut microbiome and key gut–organ axes — helping you understand why this ancient medicinal mushroom earns its place in a modern, science-led supplement formulation.

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Key Takeaways

• In a direct canine study, shiitake powder supplementation at 800 mg/kg body weight/day for 4 weeks significantly increased plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity to approximately five times baseline levels and upregulated leukocyte sirtuin1 mRNA expression — a master metabolic regulator that suppresses lipid synthesis and activates fatty acid oxidation — in healthy Beagle dogs.¹
• Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, a β-1,3/1,6-glucan polysaccharide that activates innate immune cells — including macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells — primarily through binding to the Dectin-1 receptor, triggering downstream Syk kinase signalling and promoting cytokine secretion patterns that enhance immune surveillance without causing inappropriate immune overstimulation.²˒³˒⁴
• In a randomised dietary intervention in healthy adults, daily consumption of dried shiitake mushrooms for 4 weeks increased γδ-T cell proliferation by 60%, doubled NK-T cell proliferation, increased secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), and reduced serum C-reactive protein (CRP) — demonstrating improved immune function under less inflammatory conditions.⁵
• Eritadenine, a purine alkaloid unique to shiitake mushrooms, reduced plasma total cholesterol concentrations significantly in dogs (from 128 ± 12 to 91 ± 9 mg/100 mL; P < 0.05) through modification of hepatic phospholipid metabolism, decreasing lipoprotein secretion as a cholesterol transporter to the blood.¹˒⁶
• Shiitake mushrooms are one of the richest dietary sources of ergothioneine — a rare, sulphur-containing amino acid proposed as a “longevity vitamin” that accumulates in tissues under high oxidative stress via a dedicated transporter (SLC22A4), does not undergo auto-oxidation unlike glutathione, and is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality in prospective human cohort studies.⁷˒⁸

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In this guide:

• Key Takeaways
• What Are Shiitake Mushrooms?
• Bioactive Compounds and Mechanisms of Action
• Evidence-Based Health Benefits for Dogs
• Shiitake Mushrooms and Gut Health
• Why Bonza Includes Shiitake in Boost
• Safety Profile
• How to Support Your Dog’s Immune Health with Shiitake Mushrooms
• Dosage Guidelines
• Practical Considerations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Related Reading
• References
• Editorial Information
• About the Author

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What Are Shiitake Mushrooms?

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes, syn. Lentinus edodes) is a basidiomycete fungus belonging to the family Omphalotaceae, native to East Asia and now the second most cultivated edible mushroom worldwide. The name derives from the Japanese shii (the Castanopsis tree on which it grows naturally) and take (mushroom). Shiitake grows on decaying hardwood trees in warm, moist climates and has been cultivated for over 2,000 years in Japan, China, and Korea — valued not merely as a culinary ingredient but as a medicinal tonic for longevity and vitality.⁹˒¹⁰

From a nutritional standpoint, shiitake mushrooms deliver a protein content of approximately 18–20% on a dry-weight basis (containing many of the same amino acids found in meat), with low lipid content (~1–2%), high dietary fibre (~28–40%), and significant quantities of B vitamins (particularly pantothenic acid and niacin), vitamin D (especially when sun-dried), copper, zinc, selenium, and potassium.⁹˒¹⁰ However, what distinguishes shiitake from common culinary mushrooms is the breadth and potency of its bioactive compounds — including the β-glucan polysaccharide lentinan, the purine alkaloid eritadenine, the amino acid ergothioneine, and a complex profile of terpenoids, sterols, and phenolic compounds that collectively deliver immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial activity.⁹˒¹⁰˒¹¹

Shiitake’s medicinal use in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine spans millennia. It was described in the Materia Medica of the Ming Dynasty as beneficial for “invigorating vital energy, preventing hunger, curing colds, and maintaining robust vascular function.”⁹ Modern pharmacological and clinical research has now identified specific molecular mechanisms underlying many of these traditional applications — positioning shiitake as one of the most evidence-supported medicinal mushrooms available.

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Bioactive Compounds and Mechanisms of Action

Shiitake’s therapeutic properties arise from a complex interaction between several classes of bioactive compounds. Understanding these compounds and their mechanisms provides the scientific basis for shiitake’s role in canine health.

Lentinan (β-1,3/1,6-glucan)

Lentinan is a high-molecular-weight β-glucan polysaccharide with a backbone of β-1,3-linked glucose residues and β-1,6-linked side-chain branches occurring approximately every five residues along the backbone. First isolated by Chihara and colleagues in 1969, lentinan is the principal immunoactive compound in shiitake and the most extensively studied mushroom-derived β-glucan in both preclinical and clinical research.²˒³

Lentinan’s immunomodulatory mechanism operates through the innate immune system. When consumed orally, lentinan is not digested by mammalian enzymes but is instead recognised by pattern recognition receptors on immune cells — principally Dectin-1, a C-type lectin receptor expressed on macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. Binding to Dectin-1 triggers Syk kinase activation, which in turn stimulates NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways, leading to the maturation and activation of antigen-presenting cells and the secretion of cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12.³˒⁴ This cascade activates multiple arms of the immune response: enhanced macrophage phagocytosis, increased NK cell cytotoxicity, improved dendritic cell antigen presentation, and augmented T cell responses.⁴˒¹²

Critically, lentinan does not simply “boost” the immune system in a non-specific manner. Research demonstrates that it modulates immune function — upregulating immune surveillance when needed while simultaneously promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) that prevent excessive inflammatory responses.⁵˒¹³ This balanced immunomodulation distinguishes shiitake beta-glucans from simple immune stimulants and is particularly relevant for dogs with complex immune needs.

Canine-specific evidence context: Direct canine studies on purified lentinan are limited. However, the canine study by Kusaba and Arai (2024) using whole shiitake powder — which delivers lentinan as part of the complete mushroom matrix — demonstrated significant immunometabolic effects in dogs, including SOD upregulation and sirtuin1 activation.¹ Separately, β-1,3/1,6-glucans from yeast (structurally related to lentinan) have been directly studied in dogs, demonstrating increased fecal IgA, enhanced phagocytic activity, and modulation of gut microbiota composition — supporting the translational relevance of lentinan’s immunomodulatory mechanisms to canine physiology.¹⁴˒¹⁵

Eritadenine

Eritadenine (2(R),3(R)-dihydroxy-4-(9-adenyl)-butyric acid) is a unique purine alkaloid found almost exclusively in shiitake mushrooms and is the principal compound responsible for shiitake’s hypocholesterolemic activity. Eritadenine suppresses cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver by modifying hepatic phospholipid metabolism — specifically, it increases liver microsomal phosphatidylethanolamine concentration and decreases liver microsomal Δ6-desaturase activity, leading to reduced secretion of cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins into the bloodstream.⁶

In the canine study by Kusaba and Arai (2024), shiitake powder supplementation — dosed to deliver 0.60–0.65 mg/kg/day of eritadenine — produced a statistically significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol (from 128 ± 12 to 91 ± 9 mg/100 mL; P < 0.05) in healthy Beagle dogs over 4 weeks, without changes in body weight, body condition score, or liver enzyme markers (AST, ALT), indicating the hypocholesterolemic effect occurred without hepatotoxicity.¹

Ergothioneine

Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring sulphur-containing amino acid produced exclusively by certain fungi and bacteria — humans and animals cannot synthesise it and must obtain it from dietary sources.⁷ Shiitake mushrooms are among the richest natural sources, containing approximately 55–90 mg per 100 g dry weight.⁸

What makes ergothioneine particularly remarkable is the existence of a dedicated membrane transporter — SLC22A4, also known as OCTN1 — expressed in the small intestine, kidneys, brain, liver, and bone marrow of mammals, including dogs. This transporter facilitates avid absorption and tissue-specific accumulation of ergothioneine, particularly in organs subject to high oxidative stress.⁷ The evolutionary conservation of this specific transporter across mammalian species suggests that ergothioneine serves a biologically important function.

Ergothioneine’s antioxidant properties are distinctive in several respects. Unlike glutathione, ergothioneine exists predominantly in its thione tautomeric form under physiological pH, making it exceptionally stable — it does not undergo auto-oxidation.⁷ It scavenges a broad range of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, chelates divalent metal cations, and is predicted to directly regulate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) — the master transcription factor of the cellular antioxidant defence system.⁷˒⁸ In prospective human cohort studies, higher plasma ergothioneine levels have been associated with significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 0.79 per SD increment), coronary disease, and all-cause mortality, leading researchers to propose ergothioneine as a “longevity vitamin.”⁷˒⁸

Additional bioactive compounds

Beyond its three principal bioactives, shiitake contains:

Polysaccharides beyond lentinan — including heteroglycans and α-glucans that contribute additional prebiotic and immunomodulatory activity.⁹

Terpenoids and sterols — including ergosterol (provitamin D₂), which converts to vitamin D₂ upon UV exposure, supporting calcium metabolism and immune function.⁹˒¹⁰

Phenolic compounds — including gallic acid, catechin, and protocatechuic acid, which provide additional antioxidant capacity through direct free radical scavenging.¹⁰

Nucleotide derivatives — including lenthionine, responsible for shiitake’s distinctive flavour and possessing documented antimicrobial and antiplatelet activity.⁹

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Evidence-Based Health Benefits for Dogs

Immune modulation

Shiitake mushrooms are perhaps most renowned for their immunomodulatory properties, and this is the area with the strongest — though still developing — evidence base.

The strength and limitations of canine-specific evidence. It is important to be transparent: direct canine studies specifically on shiitake’s immune-modulating effects are limited. The Kusaba and Arai (2024) canine study demonstrated significant antioxidant and metabolic effects of shiitake supplementation in dogs, but was not designed to measure immune cell populations or cytokine profiles directly.¹ The strongest immunological evidence comes from the human randomised dietary intervention by Dai et al. (2015) and from extensive in vitro and in vivo studies using isolated lentinan and β-glucans.

Translational evidence from the human RCT. In a 4-week parallel group study in 52 healthy adults consuming dried shiitake mushrooms daily, Dai et al. (2015) demonstrated significantly increased γδ-T cell proliferation (60% increase), doubled NK-T cell proliferation, improved expression of activation receptors on both cell types, increased secretory IgA (indicating enhanced mucosal immunity), and reduced serum CRP (indicating lower systemic inflammation). The cytokine secretion pattern shifted toward increased IL-4 and IL-10, with decreased MIP-1α/CCL3 — collectively indicating improved immune effector function under conditions that were less inflammatory than baseline.⁵

Supporting canine evidence from structurally related β-glucans. While not shiitake-specific, purified β-1,3/1,6-glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae — which share the same core structural motif and Dectin-1 binding mechanism as lentinan — have been studied directly in dogs. Feitosa et al. (2025) demonstrated that β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation in growing Beagle dogs increased fecal IgA after 15 days, enhanced catalase and glutathione (GSH) activities, promoted the growth of eubiosis-associated bacteria (Turicibacter, Faecalibacterium, Blautia), and increased fecal butyrate, serotonin, and spermidine concentrations.¹⁵ Ghyselinck et al. (2025) showed that β-1,3/1,6-glucans protected gut barrier integrity and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 production when tested against the colonic microbiota of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.¹⁶

Taken together, this evidence supports the mechanistic plausibility of shiitake’s immunomodulatory benefits in dogs, while acknowledging that definitive canine clinical trials using shiitake-specific preparations are still needed.

Antioxidant protection

The antioxidant effects of shiitake supplementation have the strongest direct canine evidence.

In the Kusaba and Arai (2024) study, shiitake powder supplementation in healthy Beagle dogs produced:¹

A significant increase in plasma SOD activity — approximately five-fold increase from baseline (20.2 ± 5.5 to 103.0 ± 12.4 units/mL; P < 0.05). SOD is a critical first-line antioxidant enzyme that catalyses the dismutation of superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen, representing a fundamental cellular defence against oxidative stress.

A significant increase in leukocyte sirtuin1 mRNA expression — sirtuin1 (SIRT1) is an NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase and master metabolic regulator that suppresses lipid synthesis, activates fatty acid oxidation, ameliorates reactive oxygen species stress, and facilitates white adipose tissue browning. Activated SIRT1 has been shown to increase SOD activity, creating a positive feedback loop between metabolic regulation and antioxidant defence.¹

These findings are particularly relevant for senior dogs, where age-related mitochondrial dysfunction leads to excessive reactive oxygen species production — a process termed “inflammaging” — that contributes to conditions including obesity, sarcopenia, cognitive decline, and metabolic disorders.¹

The antioxidant effect is further reinforced by shiitake’s ergothioneine content, which provides a complementary antioxidant mechanism (mitochondrial stabilisation and Nrf2 activation) operating through different cellular compartments than SOD — creating a layered antioxidant defence.⁷

Cholesterol and metabolic health

Eritadenine’s hypocholesterolemic effect is the third benefit with direct canine evidence from the Kusaba and Arai (2024) study, which demonstrated a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol without hepatotoxicity.¹ While high cholesterol is less commonly a clinical concern in dogs compared with humans, certain breeds and conditions — including hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, diabetes mellitus, and familial hyperlipidaemia — can lead to pathological hypercholesterolemia. Furthermore, the broader hepatic metabolic modulation by eritadenine may support liver function independently of its cholesterol-lowering effect.¹˒⁶

Antimicrobial activity

Shiitake extracts and pure compounds have demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in vitro against pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and various oral pathogens, as well as antifungal activity. This antimicrobial activity operates selectively — targeting pathogenic organisms while the fibre and polysaccharide components simultaneously support beneficial bacterial populations.⁹˒¹⁰

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Shiitake Mushrooms and Gut Health

Shiitake’s interactions with the gut ecosystem extend beyond simple nutritional support. Its beta-glucan polysaccharides, dietary fibre, and immunomodulatory compounds position it as a multi-pathway modulator of gut health — acting on the microbiome, the intestinal barrier, and several gut–organ signalling axes.

Impact on the gut microbiome

Shiitake’s β-glucans function as prebiotics — non-digestible polysaccharides that resist enzymatic digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and reach the colon intact, where they serve as fermentation substrate for beneficial bacteria.³˒¹⁴ This fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including butyrate, propionate, and acetate, which acidify the colonic environment (favouring beneficial anaerobes), provide energy for colonocytes, and support gut barrier integrity.

In canine studies using β-1,3/1,6-glucans, supplementation has demonstrated favourable shifts in fecal microbiota composition, including increased populations of Turicibacter, Faecalibacterium, and Blautia — bacteria associated with eubiosis — alongside increased fecal butyrate and serotonin concentrations.¹⁵ A separate in vitro study using the colonic microbiota of dogs with IBD demonstrated that β-glucan supplementation increased SCFA production, bacterial diversity and richness, and IL-10 production while protecting gut barrier integrity.¹⁶

The prebiotic activity of shiitake’s β-glucans is complemented by its dietary fibre content (approximately 28–40% dry weight), which provides additional fermentation substrate and contributes to colonic bulk.⁹˒¹⁰

Gut–immune axis

The gut–immune axis represents the bidirectional communication between the intestinal microbiome and the immune system — a relationship in which approximately 70% of the body’s immune cells reside within the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).

Shiitake engages this axis through multiple converging mechanisms:

Direct immune cell activation via Dectin-1. Shiitake’s β-glucans are recognised by Dectin-1 receptors on immune cells within the GALT, triggering local immune activation and cytokine secretion that coordinates systemic immune responses.³˒⁴ This represents a direct gut-to-immune signalling pathway that does not depend on microbial fermentation.

Prebiotic-mediated immune modulation. The SCFA production stimulated by β-glucan fermentation — particularly butyrate — supports regulatory T cell differentiation and IL-10 production, promoting immune tolerance and reducing inappropriate inflammatory responses.¹⁵˒¹⁶

Mucosal immune enhancement. The Dai et al. (2015) human study demonstrated increased secretory IgA with daily shiitake consumption — sIgA being the primary antibody mediating mucosal immunity in the gastrointestinal tract.⁵ The canine β-glucan study by Feitosa et al. (2025) similarly demonstrated increased fecal IgA with β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation.¹⁵

For a comprehensive overview of the gut–immune connection and its role in canine health, see our dedicated article: The Gut-Immune Axis in Dogs – How Gut Health Supports Immune Health.

Gut–liver axis

The gut–liver axis describes the intimate physiological connection between the intestinal tract and the liver, linked by the portal venous system through which all nutrients and metabolites absorbed from the gut pass directly to the liver for processing, detoxification, and distribution.

Shiitake supports the gut–liver axis through two complementary pathways:

Hepatic metabolic modulation. Eritadenine’s modification of hepatic phospholipid metabolism and cholesterol processing directly influences liver function. The Kusaba and Arai (2024) canine study confirmed that shiitake powder supplementation produced significant metabolic effects (cholesterol reduction, SIRT1 upregulation) without elevating hepatic deviation enzymes (AST, ALT), indicating that shiitake’s hepatic effects are supportive rather than stressive.¹

SIRT1-mediated hepatoprotection. The upregulation of sirtuin1 expression demonstrated in the canine study has direct hepatoprotective implications. SIRT1 activation in the liver suppresses lipid synthesis, activates fatty acid oxidation, ameliorates oxidative stress, and has been shown to protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in animal models.¹

For a detailed exploration of the gut–liver connection, see: The Gut-Liver Axis in Dogs – Supporting Vital Detoxification.

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Why Bonza Includes Shiitake in Boost

Bonza includes shiitake powder (30 mg per chewy) in Boost Bioactive Bites because it addresses a critical and often overlooked dimension of comprehensive nutritional support: immune resilience and antioxidant defence. In a supplement designed to ensure nutritional completeness for home-cooked, BARF and raw-fed dogs, maintaining robust immune function and protecting against oxidative stress are essential for long-term health and vitality.

Shiitake contributes to this objective through several distinct mechanisms:

Immune modulation. Shiitake’s lentinan activates innate immune cells through Dectin-1 receptor binding, enhancing immune surveillance and pathogen defence while promoting balanced cytokine profiles that prevent inappropriate inflammatory responses — a dual action that is particularly relevant for dogs on varied or home-prepared diets where immune challenges may differ from those experienced by dogs on consistent commercial diets.²˒³˒⁵

Antioxidant defence. The direct canine evidence that shiitake powder increases SOD activity and upregulates SIRT1 expression positions it as an active contributor to the antioxidant protection that ageing dogs in particular require.¹ The additional ergothioneine content provides complementary mitochondrial-level antioxidant protection.⁷

Metabolic support. Eritadenine’s hepatic metabolic modulation and cholesterol-lowering activity support the liver function that underpins nutrient processing, detoxification, and metabolic health.¹˒⁶

Complementary formulation role. Within the Boost formulation, shiitake works alongside other ingredients that support immune and metabolic health — including Calsporin (Bacillus velezensis) and Lactobacillus helveticus (probiotics), Biolex MB40 (β-glucan and MOS source), Fibrofos 60 (FOS) (prebiotic fibre), turmeric and Boswellia (anti-inflammatory botanicals), and a comprehensive vitamin and mineral profile. This multi-pathway approach reflects Bonza’s formulation philosophy: rather than relying on any single ingredient, the formulation addresses health from multiple angles simultaneously.

For a comprehensive overview of the gut microbiome and its role in canine health, see our dedicated microbiome pillar article: The Dog Gut Microbiome — Vital Key To Dog Health.

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Safety Profile

Shiitake mushrooms have a well-established safety record spanning over 2,000 years of human consumption and are classified among the most widely consumed edible mushrooms worldwide. The Kusaba and Arai (2024) canine study administered shiitake powder at 800 mg/kg body weight/day for 4 weeks — a substantial dose — and reported that none of the dogs showed any signs of disease during the experiment, with body weight, body condition score, and hepatic deviation enzymes (AST, ALT) remaining unchanged.¹

Lentinan safety. Isolated lentinan has an extremely low toxicity profile, with an LD₅₀ greater than 1,600 mg/kg in mice.² At supplement inclusion levels, lentinan is delivered within the whole-mushroom matrix at concentrations far below any threshold of concern.

Shiitake dermatitis consideration. A condition known as shiitake flagellate dermatitis has been documented in humans consuming raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms, attributed to lentinan’s immune-stimulating properties in sensitive individuals. This condition has not been reported in dogs, and it is associated specifically with consuming raw or undercooked whole mushrooms — not with powdered or processed forms as used in supplements.

General precautions. As with any supplement, individual sensitivities can occur. Introduce shiitake-containing supplements gradually and monitor your dog’s response.

When to consult your veterinarian

Discuss shiitake supplementation with your vet before starting if your dog:

• Has a diagnosed autoimmune condition (immunomodulatory compounds may theoretically affect immune balance)
• Takes immunosuppressive medications
• Has a known sensitivity to mushroom-derived products
• Has a serious or undiagnosed health condition

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How to Support Your Dog’s Immune Health with Shiitake Mushrooms

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Dosage Guidelines

Shiitake dosage for dogs has not been established by formal dose-finding studies, though the Kusaba and Arai (2024) canine study used 800 mg/kg body weight/day and reported no adverse effects.¹

Bonza Boost delivery. Bonza Boost provides shiitake powder at 30 mg per chewy as part of a multi-ingredient formulation. Always follow the feeding guide on the product packaging: 1 chewy per 10 kg of body weight daily.

Onset of action. Based on the canine study timeline, significant antioxidant and metabolic effects were measurable after 4 weeks of consistent supplementation.¹ The immune modulation effects demonstrated in the human study also emerged over 4 weeks.⁵ Allow 4–8 weeks of consistent daily supplementation before assessing the full benefit.

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Practical Considerations

Whole mushroom powder vs. isolated extracts. Bonza uses whole shiitake powder rather than isolated lentinan or ergothioneine extracts. This approach delivers the full spectrum of shiitake’s bioactive compounds in their natural matrix, preserving the synergistic interactions between β-glucans, eritadenine, ergothioneine, fibre, and phenolic compounds that contribute to the whole mushroom’s activity profile. The canine study that demonstrated significant effects in dogs also used whole shiitake powder, supporting this form’s efficacy.¹

Complementary with other beta-glucan sources. Shiitake’s β-1,3/1,6-glucans complement the yeast-derived β-glucans (Biolex MB40) also present in Boost, providing structural diversity that may engage different aspects of immune receptor recognition and prebiotic activity.

Not a replacement for veterinary care. While shiitake shows promising evidence for immune modulation and antioxidant protection, it should be considered a supportive nutritional strategy rather than a treatment for diagnosed conditions. Dogs with serious health concerns should always receive appropriate veterinary care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Reading

• The Dog Gut Microbiome — Vital Key To Dog Health
• The Gut-Immune Axis in Dogs – How Gut Health Supports Immune Health
• The Gut-Liver Axis in Dogs – Supporting Vital Detoxification
• Beta-Glucans for Dogs — Answers to Important Questions
• Best Prebiotics for Dogs
• Best Probiotics for Dogs
• Best Antioxidants for Dogs

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References

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2. Bisen PS, Baghel RK, Sanodiya BS, Thakur GS, Prasad GBKS. Lentinus edodes: a macrofungus with pharmacological activities. Curr Med Chem. 2010;17(22):2419-2430. doi:10.2174/092986710791698495. PMID: 20491636.
3. Du B, Meenu M, Liu H, Xu B. A concise review on the molecular structure and function relationship of β-glucan. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(16):4032. doi:10.3390/ijms20164032. PMID: 31426608; PMC: PMC6720379.
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5. Dai X, Stanilka JM, Rowe CA, Esteves EA, Nieves C Jr, Spaiser SJ, Christman MC, Langkamp-Henken B, Percival SS. Consuming Lentinula edodes (shiitake) mushrooms daily improves human immunity: a randomized dietary intervention in healthy young adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(6):478-487. doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.950391. PMID: 25866155.
6. Sugiyama K, Akachi T, Yamakawa A. Hypocholesterolemic action of eritadenine is mediated by a modification of hepatic phospholipid metabolism in rats. J Nutr. 1995;125(8):2134-2144. doi:10.1093/jn/125.8.2134. PMID: 7643248.
7. Halliwell B, Cheah IK, Tang RMY. Ergothioneine — a diet-derived antioxidant with therapeutic potential. FEBS Lett. 2018;592(20):3357-3366. doi:10.1002/1873-3468.13123. PMID: 29851075.
8. Beelman RB, Kalaras MD, Phillips AT, Richie JP Jr. Is ergothioneine a ‘longevity vitamin’ limited in the American diet? J Nutr Sci. 2020;9:e52. doi:10.1017/jns.2020.44. PMID: 33244401; PMC: PMC7681133.
9. Gaitán-Hernández R, López-Peña D, Esqueda M, Gutiérrez A. Review of bioactive molecules production, biomass, and basidiomata of shiitake culinary-medicinal mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Agaricomycetes). Int J Med Mushrooms. 2019;21(9):841-850. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2019031849. PMID: 32450024.
10. Li J, Cai C, Zheng M, Hao J, Wang Y, Hu M, et al. Alkaline extraction, structural characterization, and bioactivities of (1→6)-β-D-glucan from Lentinus edodes. Molecules. 2019;24(8):1610. doi:10.3390/molecules24081610. PMID: 31022848; PMC: PMC6515283.
11. Finimundy TC, Dillon AJP, Henriques JAP, Ely MR. “A review on general nutritional compounds and pharmacological properties of the Lentinula edodes mushroom.” Food Nutr Sci. 2014;5(12):1095-1105. DOI: 10.4236/fns.2014.512119.
12. Xu X, Yasuda M, Nakamura-Tsuruta S, Mizuno M, Ashida H. β-Glucan from Lentinus edodes inhibits nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α production and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Biol Chem. 2012;287(2):871-878. doi:10.1074/jbc.M111.297887. PMID: 22102286; PMC: PMC3256862.
13. Zhong X, Wang G, Li F, Fang S, Zhou S, Ishiwata A, Tonevitsky AG, Shkurnikov M, Cai H, Ding F. Immunomodulatory effect and biological significance of β-glucans. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(6):1615. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15061615. PMID: 37376063; PMC: PMC10302218.
14. Amaral AR, Risolia LW, Rentas MF, Marchi PH, Balieiro JCC, Vendramini THA, Brunetto MA. 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. 2024;12(6):1071. doi:10.3390/microorganisms12061071. PMID: 38930453; PMC: PMC11205328.
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16. Ghyselinck J, Verstrepen L, Rakebrandt M, Marynissen S, Daminet S, Marzorati M. In vitro fermentation of yeast cell walls (mannan-oligosaccharide) and purified β-glucans modulates the colonic microbiota of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and demonstrates protective effects on barrier integrity and anti-inflammatory properties. PLoS One. 2025;20(5):e0322877. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0322877.

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Editorial Information

Field	Detail
Published	February 2026
Last Updated	February 2026 — initial publication
Reviewed by	Glendon Lloyd, Dip. Canine Nutrition (Distinction), Dip. Canine Nutrigenomics (Distinction)
Next Review Due	August 2026
Author	Glendon Lloyd, Dip. Canine Nutrition (Distinction), Dip. Canine Nutrigenomics (Distinction), Founder, Bonza
Disclaimer	This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet or supplement regimen, particularly if your dog has existing health conditions or takes prescription medications.