Lion's Mane Mushroom for Dogs and Cats

Lion's Mane Mushroom for dogs and cats has a very long history of use for its neuroprotective properties and ability to support memory, clarity, focus, nerve health, and mood. The lion’s mane we provide for your dog or cat is certified USDA organic, gluten-free, non-gmo, kosher and grown and processed in the USA.

If you are looking for a supplement to support your dog or cat’s brain and nervous system health lion’s mane mushroom is a very good choice. Legend has it that those who consumed Lion's Mane mushroom would have the memory of a lion and nerves of steel and it has been used in China and Japan as a medicinal mushroom for centuries.

Available in a 3 oz (85 gram) container

7 Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom for Dogs and Cats

Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), aka hou tou gu or yamabushitake, acquired the lion’s mane name due to its resemblance to a lion’s mane during its development. This mushroom is considered a nutraceutical meaning a food with medicinal benefits(1).

The bioactive substances found in lion’s mane are best known for their beneficial effects on the brain and nervous system. However, the benefits of this mushroom don’t stop there and include the immune system, heart and digestive tract.

1. Neuroprotective Properties

There is a substantial amount of research on lion’s mane. Studies looking into this mushroom's effects on the brain and nervous system have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain neurotrophic factors that can stimulate the growth of nervous system tissue, including brain cells, called hericenones and erinacines(2).

These plant compounds can cross the protective blood-brain barrier to provide lion's mane mushroom the ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production. NGF is a neuropeptide that helps maintain neurons, which are the cells responsible for helping your brain process and transmit information.

Due to the neurotrophic factors found in lion's mane, this mushroom can offer support to dogs and cats with dementia or cognitive decline as they age.(3), (4), (5), (6).

Lion' Mane Mushroom can also support the production of myelin in those dog and cats with neurodegenerative conditions(7).

2. Immune System Support

One of the most popular reasons that mushrooms are becoming so popular is for their medicinal properties. Lion’s mane, like the other species of functional mushrooms, contains diverse phytochemicals, including polysaccharides called beta glucans.

These bioactive compounds found in lion's mane help to modulate the immune system of your dog or cat, supporting appropriate responses without overreaction(8). The strengthening of immune defenses in a safe manner can benefit animals with a variety of health concerns.

In addition, aromatic compounds found in lion's mane, called Hericerin A and hericerin, have shown anticancer activity(9),(10) that may offer benefits to dogs and cats.

3. Benefit Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

It seems nervous system disorders are becoming more common in our dogs and cats. While there are many potential causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation could be a major contributing factor.

Amycenone is a nootropic (boost brain performance) compound found in lion's mane mushroom that has been shown in studies to have antidepressant effects(11). This compound has the potential to benefit those dogs and cats with depression or anxiety related to inflammation in their bodies.

4. Protect Against Digestive Tract Ulcers

Ulcerations are fairly common in our dogs and cats and are often caused by two major factors: overgrowth of a bacteria called H. pylori (often related to imbalances caused by poor diet) and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach caused by medications, most commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The results of studies suggest that polysaccharide compounds in lion's mane mushroom can protect against gastric ulcers and even reduce the size of ulcerated areas(12) potentially benefiting dogs and cats with this condition.

5. Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Risk factors for heart disease include obesity and excess levels of triglycerides and cholesterol circulating in the blood. Research is showing that lion's mane mushroom has the potential to mitigate some of these risk factors to benefit our dogs and cats

For example, studies have shown that lion's mane can improve fat metabolism and thereby lower triglyceride levels(13), (14). Considering that obesity and high triglycerides are both considered risk factors for heart disease, by improving these metrics lion’s mane mushrooms can contribute to a dog or cat's cardiovascular health.

 6. Can Benefit Those with Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body loses the ability to control blood sugar levels. In dogs and cats this condition is often related to a high-carbohydrate, processed pet food diet. This type of diet is not healthy for a canine or feline and can lead to insulin resistance that results in blood sugar levels being consistently elevated.

Lion's mane mushroom can be beneficial for the management of diabetes due to research that show lion’s mane can promote significantly lower blood sugar levels in studies on animals(15).

Due to lion's mane mushroom's antioxidant and neuroprotective attributes, this mushroom can also benefit those animals with diabetes by helping to alleviate diabetic neuropathy(16).

7. Provide Potent Antioxidant Support

We are becoming more aware of the negative impact chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can have on the health of our dogs and cats.

Lion's mane mushroom contains significant levels of antioxidants. One study supports this by showing lion's mane had the third highest antioxidant activity when compared with 14 different mushroom species(17).

Additional animal studies have found that lion’s mane reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress and may be especially useful in related conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease(18),(19),(20).

Lion's Mane Mushroom Safety / Side Effects for Your Dog or Cat

Lion’s Mane Mushroom is non-toxic and considered very safe. So there are very few side effects reported.

Studies using rats indicate the absence of adverse effects, even at doses as high as 2.3 grams per pound (5 grams per kg) of body weight per day for one month or lower dosages for three months(21), (22).

Animals allergic or sensitive to mushrooms should avoid lion’s mane, since it is a species of mushroom.

Itchy skin from higher doses may occur and is likely attributable to a boost in nerve growth factor.

Conclusion

Lion's mane mushroom has been shown in studies to provide numerous health benefits for our dogs and cats.

Research has found that lion's mane can offer our dogs and cats neuroprotective factors that may help with cognitive decline and help repair damaged neurons more quickly to benefit those with neurodegenerative conditions.

This adaptogenic mushroom has also shown benefits to support a healthy immune response, to help those animals with anxiety or depression, to repair gastric ulcerations and even help those dogs and cats with heart disease and diabetes.

References

How does lion's mane mushroom help the brain? Retrieved from: https://ommushrooms.com/blogs/blog/how-does-lions-main-mushroom-help-the-brain

Your guide to lion's mane mushroom benefits and how to use this superfood. Retrieved from: https://ommushrooms.com/blogs/blog/lions-mane-mushroom-benefits-m2

Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Murray, M. T., & Pizzorno, J. E. (1998). Encyclopedia of natural medicine (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.

Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods: Asian traditions and modern nutrition (3rd ed.). Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.