You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that dogs eat mushrooms whether their cooked or raw! However, there are specific types of mushrooms they can eat and others they cannot. Before you start adding mushrooms to your dog's diet, there are a few things to know about which types are best for them.

 

 

What Are Functional Mushrooms for Dogs?

Functional mushrooms, also called medicinal mushrooms, are a group of edible mushrooms that offer various benefits across a range of bodily functions. Different species of mushrooms each offer their own benefits, so they are frequently combined to provide holistic wellness and support overall health. Some of the most common types of functional mushrooms you will come across include:

 

• Maitake: Also known as 'Hen of the wood' mushrooms, maitake mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans, compounds that support cardiovascular health and may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
• Shiitake: One of the most common mushrooms on supermarket shelves, shiitake is rich in polysaccharides. These compounds offer several immune-supporting benefits, such as boosting white blood cell production and helping the body be more resistant to illness.
• Reishi: A mainstay of Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are frequently prepared as a tea to help with stress, manage fatigue, and maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Lion's Mane: Another great example of a mushroom that is both nutritious and beneficial, lion's mane mushrooms contain compounds that may help improve memory and concentration.
• Turkey Tail: Named for their striking appearance, turkey tail mushrooms are rich in antioxidants and compounds that support healthy gut bacteria. These mushrooms are also known for their energizing qualities and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
• Chaga: These mushrooms grow on birch trees in colder climates. Chaga mushrooms are a staple of European folk medicine and contain immune-supporting properties. They also help reduce swelling.
• Cordyceps: Contain antifungal and antibacterial properties. In addition, cordyceps mushrooms can help protect against liver and heart disease.

 

 

 

Can Dogs Eat Functional Mushrooms?

Yes, dogs can eat functional mushrooms as part of their meals or as an addition to their wellness regimen! Functional mushrooms are a great way to naturally support your pet's holistic health. Adding medicinal mushrooms to your pup's intake will also help provide essential vitamins and minerals.

 

 

What Mushrooms Are Safe To Eat?

Mushrooms that you can readily purchase at your grocery store are generally safe for dogs to eat. If you're thinking, “can dogs eat cooked mushrooms,” just do not use oils, butter, or seasonings, as they can irritate your dog's stomach. You can add plain mushrooms to their dog food or give it by itself. Here is a list of the most common functional and grocery store mushrooms suitable for dogs:

 

• Button
• Cremini
• Portobello
• Shiitake
• Porcini
• Oyster
• Maitake
• Lion's Mane
• Turkey Tail
• Reishi

 

 

 

Are Mushrooms Bad for Dogs?

Toxic mushrooms are hard to identify, and even expert foragers have difficulty with particular species. A wild mushroom can easily have a very similar appearance to a perfectly safe one to the untrained eye. The following mushrooms are toxic to dogs:

 

• Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric)
• Gyromitra species (False Morel)
• Helvella lacunosa (Elf's Saddle)
• Amanita phalloides (Death Cap)
• Amanita gemmata (Jeweled Deathcap)
• Clitocybe dealbata (Ivory Funnel)
• Galerina marginata (Autumn Galerina)
• Inocybe species of mushrooms

 

To be safe, we strongly advise avoiding all mushrooms you find in your garden or the wild. It is best to assume wild mushrooms are toxic unless you're a qualified mycologist with cultivated mushrooms for dogs.

 

 

What Are the Signs of Toxic Mushroom Ingestion for Dogs?

When dogs eat wild mushrooms, they may experience stomach upset, but they can also become very ill. If you suspect your dog has ingested poisonous mushrooms, please take them to the vet immediately, as some symptoms of mushroom poisoning may not present themselves until hours later. Some of the more common signs of poisonous mushroom toxicity are:

 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Weakness
• Ataxia (difficulty walking or moving limbs)
• Lethargy
• Jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes)
• Abdominal pain 

 

 

 

How Can You Add Mushrooms to Your Pet's Diet?

You can feed mushrooms to your dog as part of their meals or include them as part of their wellness regimen. Here are some of the ways you can give your dog mushrooms:

 

• Bone Broth: Cooking mushrooms in a broth extracts the beneficial compounds within them, creating a mushroom-fortified broth that you can then serve to your pup.
• Powdered Mushrooms: Dried mushrooms can be bought whole, as a powder, or in capsule form. This makes it easy for pet owners to add to their dog's meals by sprinkling them on top or mixing them into their food.
• Raw Mushrooms: You can also give your dog raw mushrooms, as long as they are store-bought mushrooms and your pup enjoys them fresh!
• Soft Chews: One of the best ways to give dogs functional mushrooms is as a soft chewable treat. You can easily feed them to your pup anytime, and soft chews can even be used as treats.

 

At HolistaPet, we offer two delicious soft chews containing functional mushrooms designed to support your pet's health. Our Functional Mushrooms Soft Chews feature natural ingredients and a blend of 5 functional mushrooms designed to give your dog all the benefits in a delicious soft-baked treat. This blend of reishi, shiitake, maitake, lion's mane, and turkey tail mushrooms helps support a healthy immune system, digestion, and energy levels.

 

Our Immune Support + Functional Mushrooms Soft Chews contain all of the above, plus fish oil, colostrum, and astragalus, to provide your pup with all the immune support they need. These soft chews are the perfect addition to your dog's wellness routine or as treats on your walks together. For discounts and promos, consider getting a Holistapal+ membership to make the most out of your pet's care products.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Introducing functional mushrooms, which provide various holistic health benefits, into your dog's regimen is a great natural way to support their overall wellness. If you're considering adding mushrooms to your dog's diet, start them off with our soft chews!

 

Visit HolistaPet and check out our Functional Mushrooms Soft Chews For Dogs or our Immune Support + Functional Mushrooms Soft Chews for a great wellness product to help keep your pup healthy and thriving. While you're there, check out our entire line of dog wellness products that will support your pup's well-being in more ways than one!