Mushrooms for dogs with cancer offer incredible benefits, from immune support to cellular protection and more. While they may seem almost magical, understanding their properties and how best to utilize them for your pet takes some insight. Here, we’ll explore how medicinal mushrooms can help support dogs with cancer and beyond.
What Are Medicinal Mushrooms?
Medicinal mushrooms refer to a unique class of fungi prized for their therapeutic qualities. These mushrooms are packed with antioxidants, prebiotics, vitamins, and essential minerals, making them highly beneficial for overall health. Although all medicinal mushrooms support immune health to some degree, different strains possess distinct therapeutic qualities, helping to address specific health needs in dogs.
A major component that makes medicinal mushrooms so valuable for pets are Beta-Glucans. These polysaccharides, found in mushrooms and other natural sources, have potent therapeutic properties. Mushrooms, in particular, contain some of the most bioactive and powerful beta-glucans, making them a premier choice for immune support and vitality.
Medicinal Mushrooms for Cancer in Dogs
Using mushrooms to support dogs with cancer is an exciting area of research. Numerous studies highlight these mushrooms’ potential to target and reduce cancer cells without harming healthy cells—a key advantage over traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which often impact the body as a whole.
For pet owners seeking a complementary approach, medicinal mushrooms can be safely incorporated with conventional cancer treatments, helping to lessen the side effects of these therapies and potentially reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. Integrating medicinal mushrooms into a pet’s cancer care plan can provide a more balanced approach, as these fungi serve as immune modulators and adaptogens, offering a multifaceted defense against disease.
Below, we’ll review some of the top mushrooms for canine cancer, including Turkey Tail and Reishi, and their specific benefits.
Top Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs with Cancer
Turkey Tail Mushroom
Turkey Tail (Coriolus or Trametes versicolor) is one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms for cancer treatment, benefiting both humans and dogs. It contains powerful compounds that can disrupt tumor growth and promote cancer cell death. Polysaccharide-K (PSK) and Polysaccharide-P (PSP), two active components of Turkey Tail, are widely studied for their cancer-fighting potential.
Turkey Tail also shown positive results when used alongside cancer therapies like chemo and radiation, and this has been proven in both humans and dogs alike. Turkey Tail enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation, reducing their side effects and improving outcomes. This includes breast cancer, lung cancer, as well as digestive cancers like collorectal cancer and gastric cancer.
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have long been used in Eastern medicine for their calming and immune-boosting effects. Reishi’s triterpenes contribute to its immunomodulatory and anti-tumor effects, and its polysaccharides have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and spread, helping to prevent secondary cancers.
For dogs undergoing chemotherapy, Reishi is particularly valuable in managing side effects like nausea, making it a powerful addition to a holistic cancer protocol. A study conducted by The Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research showed that reishi has balancing effects that decrease the amount of drug-induced side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is celebrated for supporting nervous system health, yet it also possesses potent anti-cancer benefits. Through a process called apoptosis, Lion’s Mane promotes the destruction of mutated cells, reducing cancer potential. Its polysaccharides work to inhibit cell division in certain cancers, including leukemia, colon cancer, and breast cancer, providing a broad spectrum of support for dogs facing various forms of the disease.
Cordyceps Mushroom
Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is recognized for its energy-boosting and anti-cancer properties. Research indicates that Cordyceps can induce autophagy and apoptosis in colon cancer and cervical cancer cells. Additionally, Cordyceps supports respiratory health and may also help dogs with lung cancer, further supporting pet wellness in multiple ways.
Chaga Mushroom
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is known for its cancer-fighting properties, particularly in digestive cancers such as colon and gastric cancer. Recent studies on bladder cancer have also shown that Chaga can induce cell death and limit cancer stem cell activity, making it an invaluable addition to any canine cancer protocol.
Maitake Mushroom
Though less known, Maitake mushrooms are highly effective in cancer care, aiding immune modulation and increasing the body’s natural cancer-fighting cells. Maitake has demonstrated the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and can be an excellent addition to your pet’s diet for cancer support.
Using Mushrooms for Dogs with Cancer: Nina’s Story
The story of Nina, my beloved Doberman diagnosed with osteosarcoma, showcases the life-changing potential of medicinal mushrooms for dogs with cancer. Nina’s holistic protocol included all the mushrooms mentioned above, providing her with potent immune and cancer-fighting benefits that extended her life far beyond expectations without conventional therapies.
Medicinal mushrooms for cancer, combined with hemp and a ketogenic diet, gave Nina a quality of life free from chemotherapy and radiation’s taxing effects. Her remarkable story underscores the holistic approach’s effectiveness and the potential of mushrooms for canine cancer support.
Sourcing the Best Mushrooms for Cancer in Dogs
When choosing mushrooms for dogs with cancer, quality and careful sourcing are essential. At MycoDog, we prioritize sustainably wild-harvested mushrooms grown on natural substrates in the USA to maximize their medicinal properties. Unlike many products that rely on mycelium grown on fillers like oats or sawdust, we use only the fruiting bodies—the most potent part of the mushroom—to ensure that your pet receives the highest therapeutic value possible.
Our mushrooms undergo a rigorous three-part spagyric extraction process, which gently captures the full spectrum of beneficial compounds, along with essential mineral salts for enhanced bioavailability. This approach allows our liquid tinctures to provide fast, effective absorption without fillers, artificial flavors, or unnecessary ingredients. Additionally, each batch is third-party tested to verify safety, purity, and potency.
MycoDog Mushroom Blends for Cancer in Pets
MycoDog’s Vitality mushroom extract & adaptogen blend is crafted specifically to support dogs with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and more. For feline cancer, we recommend MycoCat Vitality.
Our Vitality tincture combines the benefits of seven mushroom extracts, Turkey Tail, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Chaga, Artist Conk, Red Belted Conk, with Astragalus Root and Ashwagandha, in a potent blend to help your pet combat cancer and other chronic ailments.
Each MycoDog product is formulated to address specific health conditions, with tinctures designed for optimal absorption and therapeutic benefit. Additionally, by rotating between MycoDog’s four mushroom extract blends, you can ensure comprehensive support for your pet’s long-term health and immune resilience.
Final Thoughts
Medicinal mushrooms offer invaluable benefits for dogs with cancer and other chronic conditions. Their combination of adaptogenic, immunomodulatory, and anti-tumor properties can enhance overall health and support longevity. Integrating medicinal mushrooms with other holistic treatments like CBD can provide multi-faceted support for pets dealing with cancer, optimizing their quality of life and well-being.
While research on mushrooms for dogs with cancer is still growing, these powerful fungi provide a natural, supportive approach that complements conventional cancer therapies, helping pets thrive in the face of chronic illness. Incorporating mushrooms like Turkey Tail, Reishi, and Chaga into your dog’s wellness routine is a proactive way to support their health and vitality.
