REISHI MUSHROOMS FOR DOGS

Reishi extracts are generally very safe for pets and I have used them for a couple of decades now in cancer therapy and for liver and kidney disease. However, I would use them with caution in pets with bleeding diseases like hemangiosarcoma. They also taste terrible, so I would not break them apart to sprinkle over food and I would only give them as whole capsules. 

The dosage of reishi mushrooms for dogs is usually determined based on their weight and size. As per recent studies, 5-10 mg per pound of body weight, is a good reishi mushroom dosage for dogs daily with food.

The most common reishi mushroom supplement side effects run parallel to side effects of other mushroom types : GI upset, which is mainly a problem if you have a pet with a sensitive stomach. Drooling is another side effect, but only if a pet bites directly into a capsule. It’s nothing to worry about, though, it’s just because the capsules don’t taste all that good! 

If your pet has a bleeding issue like autoimmune disease or hemangiosarcoma, I would not recommend their use. 

As with most natural supplements, reishi mushrooms for dogs will take 2-4 weeks for any benefit to develop. 

Either is fine, but mornings are probably better as our GI tracts are more active during the day rather than when we are sleeping. Regardless, it’s always best to give reishi as part of a full meal. 

If you have a simple question on the use of reishi in your pet, I am happy to help and you can email me at ktomandvm@gmail.com. For more complex questions or to develop a treatment plan, we can set up a concierge consult for you.