As many of you know, my journey in holistic pet wellness has been deeply personal. Witnessing the difference that natural approaches made for the animals at Fire Flake Farm led me to explore the world of functional mushrooms for pets. This passion inspired the creation of MycoDog, a line of functional mushroom and adaptogen tinctures crafted to support overall vitality in dogs.
What are Functional Mushrooms?
Functional mushrooms are non-psychedelic fungi known for supporting the body’s natural functions. Unlike "magic" mushrooms, functional mushrooms like Turkey Tail, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, including beta-glucans and triterpenes. These compounds have been studied for their ability to promote immune balance, support healthy digestion, and help maintain mental clarity and resilience.
Rooted in thousands of years of traditional Chinese medicine, these mushrooms are now making their way into modern pet wellness routines. Let’s explore how they can help support your dog’s overall health.
Benefits of Functional Mushrooms for Dogs & Pets
Functional mushrooms may support various aspects of your dog’s well-being through their nutritional and adaptogenic properties. Key benefits include:
- Promoting immune resilience
- Supporting brain and nerve function
- Helping manage oxidative stress
- Maintaining healthy digestion and gut flora
- Encouraging skin and coat vitality
- Promoting a calm demeanor during stressful situations
These benefits are primarily attributed to naturally occurring beta-glucans, antioxidants, and adaptogens that help the body respond to physical and environmental stressors.
TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
One of the most widely studied functional mushrooms, Turkey Tail is rich in beta-glucans that help support immune function and microbiome balance. Traditionally used to support vitality and wellness, Turkey Tail also promotes healthy inflammatory responses and cellular function. Its natural compounds may also help maintain normal function of the digestive, urinary, and respiratory systems.
REISHI MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Revered in traditional herbalism as the “mushroom of longevity,” Reishi supports multiple systems to help senior and sensitive pets maintain overall wellness. Known for its calming properties, Reishi promotes emotional balance, helps maintain a healthy response to everyday stressors, and supports cardiovascular and liver function. It also plays a role in immune modulation, oxidative balance, and natural histamine response — all important for maintaining vitality as pets age.
SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Shiitake mushrooms are valued for their ability to support healthy digestion, liver function, and cardiovascular wellness. Rich in polysaccharides, they help maintain immune system balance and encourage the body’s natural detoxification processes. Shiitake also supports healthy blood flow and metabolic function, making it a well-rounded mushroom for everyday wellness and vitality in pets.
MAITAKE MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Maitake mushrooms are adaptogenic fungi that help support immune system balance and healthy metabolic function. Traditionally used to promote energy and vitality, Maitake also supports the body’s ability to maintain stable blood sugar and cardiovascular wellness. Rich in antioxidants and beta-glucans, it offers gentle support for dogs needing everyday immune and metabolic resilience.
CHAGA MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Chaga mushrooms are rich in antioxidants that help maintain cellular health and support the body’s natural defenses against everyday oxidative stress. Traditionally used to promote immune balance and vitality, Chaga also supports skin health and may help maintain normal inflammatory responses. Its unique compounds, including polyphenols and beta-glucans, contribute to overall wellness in aging or sensitive dogs.
ARTIST CONK MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Closely related to Reishi, Artist Conk mushrooms help support immune resilience and respiratory function. Traditionally used to maintain healthy skin and mucosal balance, they may also promote the body’s natural microbial defenses and help maintain metabolic wellness. Rich in triterpenes and other active compounds, Artist Conk contributes to overall vitality and wellness in dogs.
RED BELTED CONK MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Red Belted Conk is traditionally used to support digestive comfort, healthy histamine responses, and immune system balance. Rich in antioxidant compounds, it may help maintain gut health, support nutrient absorption and elimination, and promote cellular vitality in aging or sensitive dogs.
LION’S MANE MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Lion’s Mane is widely recognized for its ability to support cognitive function and neurological health. It may help maintain memory, focus, and emotional balance by encouraging healthy nerve signaling and brain cell integrity. This mushroom is also used to support the nervous system, digestive function, and overall vitality — making it especially valuable for senior dogs or pets needing neurological support.
CORDYCEPS MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS
Cordyceps are prized for their ability to support stamina, vitality, and cellular energy. By promoting healthy oxygen utilization and circulation, they help maintain endurance and resilience in active or aging dogs. Cordyceps are also used to support kidney function, adrenal balance, and a healthy metabolic response — making them a valuable addition to daily wellness routines.
Mushrooms Grown on Grain VS Mushrooms Grown in Nature
Most commercial mushroom products are grown on grain and use myceliated substrates, which can dilute the concentration of beneficial compounds. At MycoDog, we extract only from the fruiting body of wild-harvested mushrooms, free from grains or fillers. Our dual and triple-extraction methods preserve the full range of active constituents.
Jason Scott, mycologist for MycoDog, emphasizes the importance of full fruit body extraction:
"When you work with the full fruit body, you know what you’re getting—everything is coming directly from the mushroom itself."
MycoDog: Mushroom Extracts for Pets
At MycoDog, we believe pet parents deserve access to high-quality mushroom blends crafted with intention, transparency, and expertise.
That’s why our founder, Angela Ardolino, collaborated with mycologist Jason Scott to create our unique mushroom extract blends — Breathe, Clarity, Digest and Vitality — each designed to support different areas of your dog’s overall wellness.
These blends combine carefully selected functional mushroom extracts with complementary adaptogens like Ashwagandha, Astragalus Root, and Bacopa Monnieri to promote immune, cognitive, and respiratory balance. Each tincture is made with wild-harvested mushrooms grown outdoors in their natural environment, never on grain or filler substrates.
Our MycoDog mushroom extract blends are made using a spagyric triple-extraction method and contain only the fruiting body of the mushroom — not myceliated grain. This process ensures high levels of beneficial compounds like beta-glucans and triterpenes, which play a key role in maintaining cellular and immune health.
Because mushrooms are bioaccumulators, we source exclusively from the clean, forested regions of the Pacific Northwest to ensure purity. Our tinctures are suspended in organic vegetable glycerin — a shelf-stable, alcohol-free base that’s gentle on your pet’s system and naturally palatable.
Want to dive deeper into the formulation process? Listen to Angela's conversations with Jason Scott on the Your Natural Dog podcast, where they explore wild-harvesting, mushroom extraction methods, and how sourcing choices can impact supplement quality.
About Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino, a certified fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. She is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.
Angela is the founder and formulator behind Hemp Dog Health and MycoDog, two pioneering brands that prioritize pet health through carefully crafted Full Spectrum Hemp for dogs, cats, and horses, as well as wild-harvested, dual-extracted mushrooms and adaptogens.
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, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian before making changes to your pet's wellness routine.
