Fletch and I have been taking medicinal mushrooms for years now. I pop a teaspoon in my coffee each morning, and he has a quarter teaspoon twice a day with meals.

Let's not mistake 'medicinal' for 'magical,' as that would be a completely different type of article 😅.

According to Dogs Naturally magazine, not all mushrooms are medicinal, but most edible ones have medicinal properties. Mushrooms serve our best friends in four different ways:

1. Disease Prevention

2. Regeneration of Cells

3. Protection Against Cancer or Radiation

4. Intervention via Treatment

Turkey Tail Mushrooms: A Powerful Superfood

Turkey Tail Mushrooms are particularly effective in fighting cancer in dogs, especially hemangiosarcoma. A recent study by the University of Penn State treated dogs with this type of cancer using a compound derived from Turkey Tail mushrooms and found these dogs had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease.

Fletch takes powdered Turkey Tail in the morning, and sometimes I'll add a quarter teaspoon of my mix in with his dinner. I take a mix of 10 different mushrooms also in powder form.

Top 5 Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs

1. Turkey Tail: Treats inflammation of urinary and digestive tracts and decreases the effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

2. Maitake: Cancer prevention supports the body during cancer therapy, diabetes, and liver support.

3. Cordyceps is antifungal and antibacterial, and it helps with leaky gut syndrome, liver disorders, kidney failure, lung carcinoma, asthma, and geriatric disorders.

4. Reishi: Known as the mushroom of immortality, it fights tumours and inflammation and is antiviral and immune-stimulating.

5. Shiitake: Packed with healthy enzymes, minerals, and amino acids, it supports dogs being treated for cancer, Cushing's disease, bronchial inflammation, incontinence, and allergies.

Preparation Tips

If you decide not to go with powdered form (which we recommend), make sure to cook mushrooms before feeding them to your dog. Cooked mushrooms are easier to digest and remove any bacteria present in the raw version.

We hope this article encourages senior dog guardians to consider adding medicinal mushrooms to your dog's daily diet. The benefits for seniors are profound, particularly in longevity, cancer prevention, and treatment of geriatric disorders.

Happy feeding ❤

Note: Always consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet. Some dogs have specific dietary sensitivities based on health conditions, age, and medication.