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Aren't Mushrooms Toxic to Dogs?
It surprises people when I share that I add functional mushrooms to my dogs' diet through supplementation, sauteed mushrooms, or mushroom broth. Aren't mushrooms toxic to dogs?
Some mushrooms are toxic to dogs. This is a regular concern, and whenever I'm outside, I look for mushrooms and discourage the dogs when they show too much interest, digging up mushroom groupings during the summer and fall months. If you believe that your dog has mushroom poisoning, please go to the vet immediately and, if you can, take samples of the mushrooms your dog consumed to your vet.
Please do not read this blog post, then start collecting mushrooms in your yard.
The mushrooms in this article are culinary and functional mushrooms purchased from local grocery stores or Real Mushrooms. I do not harvest mushrooms in my yard because all the species I've found are toxic.
Are the Mushrooms in My Yard Toxic (with pictures)
Which Culinary Mushrooms Are Best for Dogs?
I alternate between several medicinal mushroom supplements/tinctures. But I also sautee or roast mushrooms for my dogs because this is the best way to release the benefits. Although the list of functional mushrooms is long, my local grocery only carries the following mushrooms:
- White Button – Vitamins C, D, and B12
- Cremini and Portobello– B vitamins, selenium, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese
- Shiitake– medicinal mushrooms that have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-tumor properties
Surprising Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms for Dogs
Benefits of Mushrooms for Dogs
- Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants
- Mushrooms offer a variety of nutrients to boost your dog's diet and improve nutrition
- Mushrooms support liver and kidney functions
- Mushrooms improve the health of older dogs, modulating blood sugar and improving metabolism
- Mushrooms lower cholesterol and supportweight loss
- Mushrooms improve the immune system to help block viral infections
Source: DrBasko.com, AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
Finding Medicinal Mushrooms
Concerning dog nutrition and health, we're hearing more about Chaga, Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane, and Reishi mushrooms. I've found it easier to reach for supplements and tinctures to gain the benefits of medicinal mushrooms. For culinary mushrooms, I visit the natural section of my grocery store and ethnic markets.
Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms
1 – Adding Mushrooms to Bone Broth for Dogs
I use a large slow cooker or pressure cooker to make my bone broth.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of raw apple cider vinegar
- Bones of your choice; I prefer turkey legs, emu legs, marrow bones, and duck feet.
- Water
- 5-7 cloves of fresh garlic (optional)
- 2 heaping tablespoons of turmeric paste or 1/4 cup of turmeric powder
- 5 each of the following mushrooms; chopped up: Shiitake, Portobello, Crimini (or 1 cup of mushroom powder from Real Mushroom)
To learn more about garlic, its benefits to dogs, and the serving amount, check outthis article on PetGuide.com. Please note that the amount of garlic I add to the bone broth is for four dogs with a combined weight of 200+ pounds.
Safety and Benefits of Garlic for Dogs
Directions
- Add bones, raw apple cider vinegar, garlic, and water to your slow or pressure cooker.
- If using a slow cooker, set it for 20-24 hours; if using a pressure cooker, set it for 4-5 hours. I cook my bone broth on our porch because the smell can be overwhelming.
- Add mushrooms, turmeric paste, or turmeric powder 10 minutes before the bone broth is finished.
- When the bone broth has cooled, fish out the bones; be sure to search for any small bones (I use my fingers).
- Transfer bone broth to freezer-safe containers and store them in the freezer until needed.
2 – Mushroom Broth with Real Mushrooms
Many of the best medicinal mushrooms (reishi, lion's mane, turkey tail, etc.) aren't available at our local grocery stores; so I use the Real Mushroom powders to make a bone broth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of mushroom powder
- I use the following: 5 Defenders (a blend of reishi, maitake, shiitake, chaga, and turkey tail), Cordyceps-M, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Lion's Mane
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- garlic (optional)- amount depends on the size of your dog
- additional herbs of your choice (optional) – amount depends on the herb and your goals
Directions
- Add water or broth to a pot and bring to medium heat—the amount of water or vegetable broth added will depend on how much broth you want to make.
- Gradually sprinkle the mushroom powder into the pot, stirring continuously to prevent clumping. The amount of powder will depend on your taste preferences and the intensity of the mushroom flavor you desire.
- If desired, add garlic or any additional herbs; to enhance the taste of the broth and increase the benefits.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer for about 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- If you prefer a clear broth, strain it using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any solid particles.
- Transfer bone broth to freezer-safe containers and store them in the freezer until needed.
Remember, the exact measurements and cooking time may vary based on your specific taste preferences and the type of mushroom powder you are using.
3 – Super Immune Mushroom Broth for Dogs
Source: Planet Paws
Ingredients
- Oyster mushrooms
- Portobello mushrooms
- Shiitakemushrooms
- King Oyster mushrooms
Directions
- Chop up mushrooms
- Saute 1 cup of mushrooms in butter
- Add 2 cups of water and simmer for 20 minutes
- Add shredded turmeric root (optional)
- Add shredded ginger root (optional)
- Puree ingredients and serve (or freeze for later)
Start with feeding 1 tbsp per 25 pounds.
4 – Immune-Boost Shiitake Mushroom Broth for Dogs
Source: Canine Ascension
Ingredients
- Shiitake mushrooms, 5-8
- 1.5 cups water for soaking them
- 5-6 cups boiled water
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2″ piece Ginger root
- 1/4 cup organic, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Kombu (an edible sea vegetable)
- 1/4 cup Arame (seaweed)
Optional Additions:
- 1 very small beetroot
- 1/4 of a medium Turnip
- 1/4 of a medium Red Capsicum
- 1/4 of a medium Yellow Capsicum
- Dulse flakes (seaweed)
- Dandelion root
- Dried Nettles
Notes & Cautions:
- Avoid the beet & turnip if your pet is prone to candida yeast, kidney issues, or diabetes.
- This broth is NOT suitable for any dogs with autoimmune disorders.
- Leave out the Capsicum if your dog has osteoarthritis.
- Leave out the seaweed and dulse flakes if your dog has hyperthyroidism.
Directions:
Roughly chop the shiitake mushrooms & submerge them in 1.5 cups of water. Soak overnight.
Next day:
- Chop the vegetables, mince the garlic and ginger, soak the kombu & arame in hot water for about 10 minutes, and keep the soaking water.
- Pour the shiitake mushrooms and their soaking water into a pot.
- Add the 6 cups of boiled water.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add all other ingredients and simmer for another 5-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Store in glass jars, refrigerated.
Add 1/4 cup to meals for medium size dogs.
5 – Rehabilitating Mushroom Broth for Dogs
Source: DrBasko.com
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup of dried mushrooms (shiitake) soaked in 1 cup of water overnight (save the soaking water too)
- 1 cup of beef soup bone
- 1/2 cup chicken hearts and gizzards
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or1 tsp Konbu seaweed
- 1/3 cup celery
- 1/3 cup parsley
- 1 teaspoon miso
- 3 cups of water
Directions:
- Put water, celery, parsley, soup bone, salt (or konbu), and mushrooms into a pot.
- Bring to a boil and let simmer for 45 minutes.
- Remove bones, vegetables, and mushrooms.
- Remove chicken hearts and gizzards and save them for other meals.
- Add miso and the soaking water from the dried mushrooms, and stir well.
- Strain excess debris to make a clear broth.
Dosages:
Administer the broth (using a syringe) every 1 to 3 hours, and give one cc per pound of body weight 4 to 6 times a day if not eating. If your pet is eating, mix the broth with food and give 1 to 3 teaspoons (for small dogs and cats) with each meal.
Adding Mushrooms to a Veggie Mix for Dogs
All of the vegetables are optional. I look for dog-safe organic vegetables and add fruit (blueberries or apples) in the summer or organic squash in the fall and winter.
- 1 bunch of Spinach (only from an organic garden)
- 2 bunches of Parsley
- 1 bunch of Collard Greens
- 1 bunch of Kale
- 1 bunch of Celery
- 2 large Zucchinis
- 2 large Broccoli Flowers
- 2 cans of Oysters, boiled and in water
- 5 cloves of Garlic – yes, this is perfectly safe and healthy for dogs
- 20 Cremini mushrooms (or an organic mushroom blend)
- 4 cups of Bone Broth
- 1 cup of Golden Paste
- 1 cup of Green Lipped Mussel Powder
*Cremini mushrooms are also spelled with an “i” – Crimini mushrooms.
Bone Broth for Dogs
Learn about the benefits of bone broth for dogs and my easy bone broth recipe.
More About Mushrooms for Dogs
- 5 Easy Mushroom Broth Recipes to Boost Your Dog's Health
- Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs
- Are Mushrooms Toxic to Dogs?
- Surprising Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms for Dogs
