Healthy pet diets need more than a scoop of dry kibble. Any cat or dog would benefit from taking a daily supplement to support their overall health. But with so many supplements on the market, it can get difficult to know which is best for your pet. There’s one herb that can offer full-body protection, and that’s the reishi mushroom.

Check out the many ways a reishi mushroom supplement can keep your pet healthy.

Health benefits of reishi mushrooms

Every pet has something to gain from reishi mushrooms. This healthy fungi possesses a diverse range of nutrients that can battle the most common ailments among cats and dogs. Here are some of the ways reishi mushrooms can boost your pet’s health.

• Cognitive function: Reishi mushrooms are known for their ability to protect the brain. While cognitive decline is part of the natural aging process, this medicinal mushroom can preserve neurons well into the later stages of life. They’re packed with antioxidants that prevent brain cell degeneration. A daily mushroom supplement is essential for senior pets to keep their minds sharp and stave off degenerative diseases.
• Joint mobility: One of reishi’s greatest superpowers is reducing inflammation. Reishi has anti-inflammatory properties across the whole body, including joints and their connective tissues. This mushroom is especially beneficial for senior pets, pets that are overweight or pets with an active lifestyle. All these factors increase a pet’s risk for arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases. Reishi mushrooms protect the joints by minimizing pain and swelling. They improve joint mobility and strengthen connective tissues, which reduces the risk of injury.
• Allergic reactions: Reishi mushrooms effectively treat allergy symptoms and the pet’s overactive immune response. The anti-inflammatory properties in reishi mushrooms minimize chronic symptoms such as skin problems, watery eyes and congestion. Two types of acid, ganoderic and oleic, reduce histamine levels in the bloodstream. Histamines are immune cells that trigger an allergic reaction. The mushroom’s antihistamine abilities address the root of the problem by regulating the immune system.
• Cancer support: One key nutrient for battling cancer is beta glucans. Reishi mushrooms are chock full of this sugar, which supports immune health in pets. Beta glucans stimulate the immune system just enough to help the body fight off cancerous growth. In fact, reishi mushrooms might even shrink tumors in cancer patients! The mushroom has other cancer-related benefits, such as reducing side effects associated with chemotherapy.
• Detoxification process: The liver is largely responsible for filtering toxins out of the body. When a pet is overloaded with too many toxins, the liver can’t properly do its job. The antioxidants in reishi mushrooms protect liver cells from damage by getting rid of free radicals. A healthy liver can expedite the detoxification process. Reishi might also reverse liver fibrosis, a feat not yet seen among conventional medicine.
• Diabetes support: Reishi mushroom supplements play a crucial role in diabetic pets’ health. They reduce blood sugar while keeping glucose at a healthy level. Reishi can also treat secondary diseases that stem from diabetes. For example, pets with diabetes tend to heal wounds at a slower rate. The polysaccharides in this mushroom aid in cellular regeneration, so your pet can bounce back more quickly from injuries.
• Cardiovascular health: Reishi mushrooms have many benefits for your pet’s heart health. The fungi is a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels to increase circulation. Vasodilators prevent the heart from overworking itself, allowing it to more easily pump oxygen and nutrients to bodily cells. Reishi can also lower blood pressure, regulate the heartbeat and minimize fat buildup in the arteries.

Give reishi mushrooms with caution

Always speak with a vet before adding supplements to your pet’s diet. Reishi mushrooms are generally safe, but it’s important to understand how they interact with certain medications. For example, pets taking blood thinners should avoid eating reishi mushrooms, because these two substances can create anti-clotting effects. Pet parents shouldn’t combine reishi mushrooms with blood pressure medications, either.

Reishi mushrooms rarely cause side effects in pets. If symptoms do occur, they’re usually nothing to worry about. A few pet parents have reported mild digestive upset like vomiting or diarrhea. Gradually incorporating reishi into your pet’s diet is the best way to avoid these side effects. Consult your vet for the right dose to avoid misusing this supplement.

So many health benefits are packed into a single fungi. From allergies to cancer treatment, the reishi mushroom is an overall tonic that can protect your pet from the most pervasive health concerns. This mushroom does more than treat disease—it can prevent and possibly even reverse conditions threatening your pet’s life.