Functional Mushrooms for Dogs

As many of you know, my journey in holistic pet wellness has been a deeply personal one. Witnessing the transformative power of natural remedies for my dogs and the animals on Fire Flake Farm, led me to explore the incredible world of functional mushrooms for dogs and pets.

The inspiration behind mushroom extracts & adaptogen tinctures for dogs is rooted in the profound impact that these functional mushrooms have had on my own animals’ well-being. From Turkey Tail to Lion’s Mane, Reishi to Chaga, each of these mushrooms brings a unique set of benefits that contribute to overall health. The holistic synergy of these mushrooms offers immune support, cognitive enhancement, stress relief, and more.

Understanding that pets are family, mushrooms aim to harness the power of nature to elevate their quality of life. Sustainable wild-harvesting and extraction methods ensure that the sourcing provide the purest form of these functional mushrooms, preserving their integrity and efficacy. The adaptogens, like Ashwagandha and Astragalus Root, complement the mushrooms, creating a balanced formula that supports your furry friend’s overall well-being.

What are Functional Mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms have also been known as medicinal mushrooms or adaptogenic mushrooms. Functional mushrooms do not cause any psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects but instead improve your body’s overall functioning, providing countless health benefits for us and our pets.

Functional mushrooms have found their way into the mainstream of health foods and supplements, not as a passing trend but as treasures deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine with a history spanning thousands of years. Beyond mere nutritional value, these medicinal mushrooms, including varieties like turkey tail, reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and many more, are gaining recognition for their diverse health benefits.

Unlike magic mushrooms, functional mushrooms are not associated with hallucinogenic effects. Instead, they are packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients that offer benefits for the brain, gut, and overall body health. Let’s explore some of the distinct benefits of functional mushrooms for dogs and pets, such as immune defense, mental focus, energy, memory, cognition, skin and gut health, stress relief, and sleep quality.

Benefits of Functional Mushrooms for Dogs & Pets

Functional mushrooms offer countless health benefits for our beloved canine companions. These natural wonders have been recognized for centuries for their unique properties. Beyond their nutritional value, functional mushrooms for dogs bring a spectrum of therapeutic advantages to your pet’s well-being. From bolstering the immune system and enhancing cognitive function to promoting skin and gut health, functional mushrooms offer a holistic approach to pet care. 

The diverse capabilities of functional mushrooms can be attributed in part to several distinctive components such as beta glucans and triterpenes, among others which are unique to fungi. Primarily found in the cell walls of mushrooms, beta-glucans are soluble fibers renowned for their ability to reduce blood sugar levels, provide defense against infections, and exhibit potential in combating cancer cells.

Additionally, unlike their psychedelic counterparts, functional mushrooms are entirely safe for pets, delivering a wealth of goodness without any hallucinogenic effects. As we delve into the specific benefits of each mushroom, you’ll discover the extraordinary contributions these fungi can make to your pet’s overall health and vitality.

TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

One of the most well-known and extensively researched immune activators and cancer fighters, Turkey Tail mushrooms boast a powerful resumé of potential benefits including boosting immune cell production, containing antiviral components to fight against infections, and preventing inflammation, especially of the upper respiratory, urinary, and digestive tracts. In fact, Turkey Tail has even been approved as a cancer therapy for patients in Japan.

Turkey Tail functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• Cancer fighting
• Healing after injury
• Regulate blood pressure
• Reproductive health
• Kidney and urinary health
• Support the immune system
• Promote healthy, normal cell growth
• Healthy inflammation response 

Related: Turkey Tail Mushrooms for Dogs

REISHI MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Reishi mushrooms are known as the “mushroom of immortality”, and for good reason. Reishi mushrooms have anti-aging and rejuvenating properties, it inhibits histamine release, induces apoptosis, improves cognitive function, and helps to calm stressors.

Reishi functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• Anxiety and stress
• Immune system 
• A healthy histamine response
• The body’s ability to cope with oxidative stress
• Healthy liver functioning
• Healthy cardiovascular system function
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response 
• Radiance and physical/energetic warmth

SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Shiitake mushrooms are a delicious, edible mushroom that has also been widely studied for its health-promoting properties. Shiitake is an immunomodulator, is a great liver protectant, provides cardiovascular support, and has shown to possibly extend survival periods if conventional cancer treatments are pursued. 

Shiitake functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• Optimal digestive functioning
• The body’s ability to regulate blood pressure
• Liver health
• The body’s innate immune system
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response 

MAITAKE MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

One of the most widely-cultivated mushrooms, Maitake also shows potential benefits for lowering blood glucose levels, enhancing immune function, antioxidant components, and it’s a common remedy for arthritis in Japan.

Maitake functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• Healthy sugar metabolism
• The body’s ability to regulate blood pressure
• The female reproductive system
• The body’s innate immune system
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response 

CHAGA MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Chaga has been used for centuries to protect the heart, aid as an anticancer remedy, has an anti-histaminic effect, and has antibacterial properties. It’s also known for its free-radical scavenging antioxidant effects. 

Chaga functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• The body’s ability to cope with oxidative stress
• The body’s natural ability to regulate blood pressure
• The body’s ability to protect itself from damage caused by harmful chemicals
• A reduction in our exposure to harmful microbials
• The body’s innate immune system
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response

ARTIST CONK MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Related in species to Reishi, Artist Conk is also an immunomodulator and can help prevent infections. It has properties that are anti-inflammatory, and can help support the liver while preventing further damage.

Artist Conk functional mushrooms for dogs support:

• The body’s innate immune system
• Respiratory strength
• Healthy skin
• A reduction in our exposure to harmful microbials and viruses
• The body’s response to pain
• Healthy sugar metabolism
• Supports healthy mucus production and elimination
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response 

RED BELTED CONK MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Red Belted Conk has powerful anti-cancer properties. It’s been shown to regulate blood sugar, support absorption and elimination, and has been used as a strong emetic and coagulant. 

Red Belted Conk functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• The body’s own natural ability to heal itself
• A healthy histamine response
• Optimal digestive functioning
• A healthy inflammation response in the gut
• The body’s innate immune system
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response 

LION’S MANE MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Referred to as “Nature’s Nutrient for the Neurons” or the “smart mushroom”, Lion’s Mane has been lauded for its ability to stimulate nerve regeneration, which means it helps grow new neurons and create new pathways. This mushroom helps to regulate mood, acts as an antibiotic, an appetite stimulant, and is incredible for memory and cognitive function. This funny looking mushroom has also been shown to improve memory and prevent damage that occurs in the brain during Alzheimer’s Disease.

Lion’s Mane functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• The body’s own natural ability to heal itself
• The body’s ability to repair the nervous system
• A healthy stress response
• Optimal digestive functioning
• The body’s innate immune system
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response 

Related: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms for Dogs

CORDYCEPS MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Cordyceps has the potential to protect the kidneys, increases oxygen uptake in the lungs to effectively deliver it to the tissues, boosts energy levels, and can activate energy and warmth. 

Cordyceps functional mushrooms for dogs supports:

• Healthy energy levels
• Healthy circulation and oxygenation of cells
• Kidney and adrenal health
• The body’s ability to cope with oxidative stress
• Healthy sugar metabolism
• The body’s innate immune system
• The body’s natural ability to promote healthy, normal cell growth
• A healthy inflammation response 

 

Mushrooms Grown on Grain VS Wild-Harvested Functional Mushrooms 

In the world of functional mushroom supplements, most brands opt for growing their fungi on grain. Why? Because it’s much cheaper than going out into the wild to harvest these incredible mushrooms. But here’s the catch – this method isn’t doing any favors for your furry friends.

See, when companies use myceliated grain, it means they’re missing out on the actual mushrooms. And guess what? The good stuff, like beta-glucans and terpenoids, is concentrated in those mushroom caps. So, if you’re after the real benefits, you want a product that’s made from wild-harvested mushrooms. 

Jason Scott, the mycologist and mycoalchemist behind Feral Fungi joined me on Your Natural Dog podcast to talk about the importance of extracting from the fruiting bodies when it comes to functional mushrooms, and what to look for in a functional mushroom supplement,

“When you are looking at research of mycelium and the benefits of mycelium, it doesn’t really translate to myceliated grain the same way that people are kind of insinuating that it does. Whereas when you work with the full fruit body, you know what you’re getting, [everything] you’re getting is coming from the mushrooms themselves.” – Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog Podcast

Now, enter Feral Fungi, the rebel in the mushroom game. He does things differently. They get our mushrooms straight from the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, not from some grain bag. Their tinctures are the real deal, with a whopping 54% beta-glucan content – directly from fungi, not from grain fillers.

“We try to be as transparent as possible, and until we have a verified method to be producing mycelium in a pure way, we’re not going to offer it, because right now you just can’t get it unadulterated.” – Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog Podcast

Choosing a liquid glycerite means you’re giving your dog only the good stuff, just the full benefits of functional mushrooms without compromise. So, when it comes to the best mushroom supplement for your pup, look for a bioavailable option – not powder.

Functional Mushrooms for Dogs: What to Look for in a Mushroom Supplement

When choosing a mushroom supplement for your dog, quality matters. Functional mushrooms have gained popularity for their wide-ranging health benefits—supporting immune function, brain health, digestion, and more—but not all mushroom products are created equally. To ensure your pet receives the most benefit, here are some key features to look for:

 Dual Extracted:
Mushrooms contain both water-soluble (e.g. beta-glucans) and alcohol-soluble (e.g. triterpenes) compounds. A true dual extraction captures the full spectrum of active constituents—something hot-water extracts or mycelium powders often miss.

Made from Fruiting Body (Not Mycelium):
The fruiting body is the actual mushroom, rich in therapeutic compounds. Many pet mushroom supplements are made from myceliated grain—essentially the mushroom’s root system grown on rice or oats—which lacks the potency and purity of fruiting-body-only extracts.

No Grain Fillers or Substrates:
Avoid mushroom products grown on cheap fillers like rice, oats, or sorghum. These dilute the final product and offer little to no health benefit to your dog.

Wild Harvested or Naturally Cultivated in the USA:
Look for mushrooms that are wild harvested or grown under natural conditions, ideally in North America. This reduces the risk of contamination and ensures a more potent, whole-food extract.

Made for Pets, Not Just Repackaged Human Products:
Many mushroom supplements on the market are made for people and simply relabeled for pets. Seek out formulas specifically crafted for animals, with concentrations and supporting herbs that reflect the unique needs of dogs (and cats, if applicable).

Liquid Extract for Better Absorption:
Liquid tinctures offer better bioavailability compared to capsules or powders. They’re also easier to adjust by need, mix into food, or apply directly for quick absorption.

Transparency & Testing:
Always choose supplements with Certificates of Analysis (COAs) available from third-party labs. These reports verify the presence of active compounds and rule out contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides.

By keeping these criteria in mind, you can feel confident you’re choosing a mushroom supplement that’s safe, potent, and effective for your dog’s long-term wellness.Additionally, because mushrooms act as bioaccumulators, absorbing toxins from their surroundings, we sought the purest source, mushrooms thriving in the pristine woods of the Pacific Northwest. Sourcing from an area less prone to environmental pollutants ensures the purity of the mushrooms.

“The biggest excuse that I’ve heard of why people don’t source things locally is because it’s too expensive, and to me that’s a pretty big cop-out, because I feel like if you’re not paying for it, you’re paying for it in some other way.” – Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog Podcast

Check out my episodes with Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog Podcast, where we talk about sourcing and wild-harvesting functional mushrooms, the extraction process, the problem with myceliated grain, the benefits of a good mushroom supplement, and more! 

• Sourcing Functional Mushrooms for Dogs with Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog
• Benefits of Functional Mushrooms for Dogs with Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog

 

About Angela Ardolino

Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.

Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on her website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.