Cordyceps For Dogs: 7 Benefits of Cordyceps Mushrooms for Dogs

If you have a dog—and most of us do—keeping your furry friend healthy and energetic is one of your goals. You can maintain your dog's health by leveraging the benefits of cordyceps. 

These medicinal mushrooms have many compounds that can boost the energy levels of your furry friends and provide enough nutrients and antioxidants. But is cordyceps safe for dogs?

Cordyceps mushroom has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It's a powerful, safe, natural remedy for humans and your canine companion. 

Below we will talk about the health benefits of Cordyceps mushroom for dogs, the right amount to give, and its safety. Keep reading to know more!

7 Cordyceps Benefits For Dogs

Cordyceps mushrooms carry(1) cordyceps acid, protein, polysaccharides, adenosine, vitamins, alkaloids, and 19 amino acids. These ingredients and bioactive compounds can benefit your dogs in many different ways. 

Some of the health benefits of cordyceps for dogs include:

• Support the immune system
• Boosts physical stamina(2)
• Provides antioxidants(3)
• Helps lower blood sugar(4)
• Antibacterial and antifungal effects
• Improve heart(5) and lung function
• Helps maintain healthy liver(6) and intestine(7)

Lets' now take a deeper look at some of the benefits of cordyceps for dogs.

1. Increase Energy And Vitality

Cordyceps mushroom increases energy production. Its compounds—like cordycepin—boost the synthesis of ATP, the energy molecules that drive the cells. 

Read More: See how cordyceps boost energy levels. 

Studies performed on animals(8) have shown that 200 mg/kg/day of Cordyceps extract increases energy metabolism in the liver. Cordyceps use also supports efficient oxygen utilization by the body.

For these reasons, using Cordyceps herbal medicine on your dog ensures the dog can run and play around without quickly being tired.

2. The Raw Mushrooms Anti-Cancer Activity

Cordyceps prevents the spread of cancer in dogs.When used alongside chemotherapy, the mushroom reduces the side effects of chemo and speeds up the healing process. 

Research(9) has found that cordycepin can induce the death of cancer cells in the liver, bladder, stomach, breast, kidney, and lungs. The mushroom compound also stops growth by arresting the proliferation cycle.

If your beloved pup has cancer, consider adding Cordyceps to their diet. Some dogs even suffer from loss of appetite due to the effects of cancer and cancer treatments. In such a case, not only does it provide anti-cancer support, but it will also give them nutritional value.

Read More: Learn more about the cordyceps cancer benefits. 

Cordyceps offers inflammation benefits. Research studies have linked chronic inflammation to cancer. 

One research study published in 2019(10) concluded that if the underlying cause of the inflammation doesn't go away or specific control systems meant to stop the process from continuing fail, the inflammation may become chronic. Chronic inflammatory responses can lead to cell proliferation and mutation, frequently fostering the conditions for cancer growth. 

Since giving Cordyceps to your dog reduces the risk of inflammation and the mushroom fights it in cases where inflammation appears, it can protect your dog from cancer. 

3. Keeps The Organs Healthy

Cordyceps mushrooms are known to support the function of organs like the lungs, liver, and intestines. They can also help improve and restore impaired reproductive function.

Read More: Learn about the cordyceps lung benefits. 

The anti-inflammatory effects of Cordyceps improve symptoms of chronic bronchitis(11) in animals. The mushroom also treats diseases of the liver. The benefits of the mushroom have also been reported in leaky gut syndrome by helping preserve the intestinal mucosal barrier.

4. Reduces The Risk Of Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects not only humans but also dogs. The condition has symptoms like high blood sugar, resulting from the body lacking enough insulin. Like Chaga mushroom helps with diabetes, cordyceps also helps with the health condition. 

Cordyceps mushrooms have insulin-like properties. The fungus can lower high blood sugars in dogs, keeping prediabetic dogs from becoming fully diabetic. 

A research study published in 2012(12) showed that cordyceps effectively lower blood sugar levels. The research showed that the functional mushroom could activate insulin production in normal rats. While the study was done on rats, the mushroom may have a similar effect on dogs. 

5. Cordyceps Reduces The Risk Of Arthritis In Dogs

It is estimated that 1 in 5 dogs have arthritis. This is a condition whose symptoms include pain in the joint. 

Arthritis is a general term used to describe joints' inflammation. The medicinal properties of cordyceps can help in both the protection and treatment of arthritis in dogs. 

As noted earlier, a cordyceps mushroom supplement can fight inflammation. Therefore, the mushroom provides pain relief for dogs suffering from arthritis. 

Moreover, the mushroom can reduce the risk of arthritis for dogs that are still healthy by ensuring the normal inflammatory response works. 

6. Cordyceps Prevents And Treats High Blood Pressure In Dogs

High blood pressure occurs in up to 10% of dogs. This condition can cause cardiovascular problems ranging from heart disease and stroke to heart attacks left untreated. 

According to a study published in 2014(13), cordycepin, a bioactive compound found in cordyceps, can help lower high blood pressure in dogs. 

Read More: See how Chaga and cordyceps can help with blood pressure treatment. 

7. Cordyceps Improves Your Dog's Immune System Function

The bioactive compounds in the wild mushrooms boost the dog's immune function—the mushroom increases the white blood cells, making it much easier for the dog to fight off infections.

Cordyceps offer antifungal and antibacterial properties when used to boost the immune system and support immune health. The mushroom's active ingredients can keep pet owners from purchasing over-the-counter medications for their dogs. 

How To Give Cordyceps To Your Dogs?

One of the best mushrooms for dogs, Cordyceps mushroom supplements are available in powders and capsules.For your dog to benefit from the medicinal mushroom, you can open the capsule and mix the contents with your puppy's favorite snack or drink. 

Alternatively, you can mix the powder form of the supplement directly in a no-fuss manner to give your dog the maximum health benefits of cordyceps. Either way, using Cordyceps consistently will help improve your dog's immunity and alleviate its health problems.

The exact cordyceps dosage for dogs is unknown, but experts recommend using 10mg to 25mg per pound of body weight. You can start with a low dose and see how your puppy responds to it.

While giving cordyceps to pregnant or nursing pets might sound like a good idea, this may not always be the case. Research is lacking on whether it is a good idea to give cordyceps to pregnant dogs. 

For this reason, it would be a good idea to wait until your dog is done with the pregnancy or nursing before letting it take advantage of the potent health benefits of cordyceps. 

Is Cordyceps Safe For Dogs?

Cordyceps has more benefits than adverse effects. However, while Cordyceps is generally considered safe for consumption by dogs, it may trigger allergic reactions in some. 

This, however, is usually in the case where a dog that has allergy issues consumes the raw mushrooms. If you think your dog may have allergy issues, talk to a veterinarian before giving your dog the mushroom.

Exercise caution if your pup has a history of food intolerances or allergies—this will help your dog avoid dealing with cordyceps dangers. 

It is also essential to know that raw Cordyceps may cause choking in some dogs. It may also have a slightly bitter taste and may not be palatable for your pet. Cooking Cordyceps will reduce the risk of choking and makes it more digestible.

FAQs About Cordyceps For Dogs

Can Dogs Have Cordyceps Sinensis?

Mushroom supplements containing Cordyceps Sinensis are an excellent choice for keeping your dogs healthy and active. Not only does it increase the stamina of your furry friend to run and play, but they also support the respiratory system.

Are Mushroom Supplements Safe For Dogs?

Mushroom supplements fromCordyceps, Reishi mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, Turkey Tail mushrooms, Maitake mushrooms, Lion's mane, and Chaga mushrooms are safe and typically used in supplements for dogs.

Read More: Learn the benefits ofLion's mane for dogs.

These have many benefits and are recognized by veterinarians and dog owners daily. While most cultivated mushrooms may be safe for your dog, remember that not all mushrooms are safe for your pet's diet.

Key Takeaways

Caring for your puppy is like what you would do for your human child; you only want what's best for them.

And when it comes to natural healing for your furry friend, you cannot miss out on medicinal mushrooms like Cordyceps. From keeping your pup's organs healthy to helping fight cancer, the benefits of Cordyceps mushrooms are phenomenal.

Have you used functional mushrooms like cordyceps for your dog? What benefits did you notice? Let us know in the comments.

References

1. Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug, (1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/ 
2. Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation, (2)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5236007/  
3. Cardiovascular Protection and Antioxidant Activity of the Extracts from the Mycelia of Cordyceps Sinensis Act Partially Via Adenosine Receptors, (3)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23192916/
4. The anti-hyperglycemic activity of the fruiting body of Cordyceps in diabetic rats induced by nicotinamide and streptozotocin, (4)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15050427/
5. Cardiovascular Protection and Antioxidant Activity of the Extracts from the Mycelia of Cordyceps Sinensis Act Partially Via Adenosine Receptors,  (5)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23192916/
6. Cordyceps militaris alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in ob/ob mice, (6)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3988506/
7. Cordyceps sinensis preserves intestinal mucosal barrier and may be an adjunct therapy in endotoxin-induced sepsis rat model: a pilot study, (7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4509218/ 
8. Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug, (8)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/ 
9. Anti-tumor and anti-metastatic roles of cordycepin, one bioactive compound of Cordyceps militaris, (9)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088102/  
10. Inflammation and Cancer, (10)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6704802/
11. Anti-inflammatory effect of a novel food Cordyceps guangdongensis on experimental rats with chronic bronchitis induced by tobacco smoking, (11)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25135295/ 
12. Extracts of Cordyceps militaris lower blood glucose via the stimulation of cholinergic activation and insulin secretion in normal rats, (12)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22821853/ 
13. Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Cordyceps with special reference to cordycepin, (13)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3909570/