This medicinal mushroom has cancer researchers excited … in fact, it’s an anti-cancer drug in some countries. But there are a few other reasons to add turkey tail to your dog’s daily meals too.
Turkey tail is a mushroom that grows on dead logs all around the world. Its Latin name is Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor. Versicolor means of many colors. And that’s because turkey tail has colored rings that look a lot like the tail of a turkey. In Japan, turkey tail is called kawaratake, which means cloud mushroom.
There are many different strains of Trametes, but researchers and herbalists are particularly interested in turkey tail. Turkey tail has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to strengthen the immune system, clear dampness, and reduce mucus. In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s called Yun Zhi.
Today, researchers are interested in turkey tail’s health and immune boosting benefits. Let’s take a look …
Absolutely! Turkey tail mushrooms are not only safe for dogs, but they’re also incredibly beneficial for their health In fact, they’re one of the most powerful medicinal mushrooms you can give your furry friend
Why Turkey Tail Mushrooms Rock for Dogs
These little guys pack a punch when it comes to boosting your dog’s immune system. Here’s why they’re so awesome:
Cancer-Fighting Powerhouse:
- Turkey tail mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which have been shown to fight cancer cells and boost the immune system.
- Studies have shown that dogs with cancer who take turkey tail mushrooms live longer than those who don’t.
- Even if your dog is undergoing chemotherapy, turkey tail mushrooms can help reduce the negative side effects.
Gut Health Hero:
- Turkey tail mushrooms are a natural prebiotic, which means they help feed the good bacteria in your dog’s gut.
- This can lead to better digestion, reduced inflammation, and improved overall health.
Yeast-Fighting Friend:
- Turkey tail mushrooms have antifungal properties that can help fight yeast overgrowth in dogs.
- This can be especially helpful for dogs who suffer from chronic ear infections, hot spots, or itchy skin.
Overall Health Booster:
- Turkey tail mushrooms are packed with antioxidants and other nutrients that can improve your dog’s overall health and vitality.
How Much Turkey Tail Should You Give Your Dog?
The amount of turkey tail you give your dog depends on the product you’re using. A good rule of thumb is to give 20-30mg of beta-glucans per kg of your dog’s weight.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a turkey tail product for your dog:
- Make sure it’s organically grown. This will ensure that your dog is getting a high-quality product that is free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
- Choose a fruiting body extract. This type of extract contains the highest concentration of beta-glucans.
- Look for a product that uses hot water extraction. This method preserves the most beneficial compounds in the mushroom.
Where to Find Turkey Tail Mushrooms for Dogs
You can find turkey tail mushrooms for dogs at most pet stores and online retailers. You can also find them at some health food stores.
Turkey tail mushrooms are a safe and effective way to boost your dog’s immune system and overall health. If you’re looking for a natural way to help your dog stay healthy, turkey tail mushrooms are a great option.
Additional Resources
- Dogs Naturally: Top Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom for Dogs
- Angela Ardolino: Turkey Tail Mushrooms for Dogs
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new supplements.
Turkey Tail And Cancer
One of the challenges facing cancer research is the dearth of randomized controlled trials involving supplements such as turkey tail mushrooms. In most cases, cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, radiation or other drug-based treatments at the same time. So it’s difficult to accurately analyze how effective a natural treatment is.
However, there is a very strong randomized controlled study about turkey tail, and it was conducted on dogs.
Turkey tail mushrooms were examined in a 2012 study that was published in Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine to see if they could help dogs with hemangiosarcoma. Hemangiosarcoma is a vascular cancer with a high rate of metastasis (spreading to other parts of the body). It’s an aggressive cancer that’s primarily found in the spleen.
Even when the spleen is removed, the prognosis is still poor in dogs with hemangiosarcoma. The median survival rate is between 2019 and 2086 days, meaning that fewer dogs than in 2010 survived the previous 12 months.
In this study, they gave PSP from turkey tail mushrooms to dogs from a teaching veterinary hospital. All of the dogs were diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. The dogs underwent a double-blind study with no concurrent treatments.
Upon analysis of the data, the researchers discovered that the dogs administered PSP had a significantly longer period until metastasis. And survival time increased with the size of the dose.
- Survival time with no treatment: 86 days
- Survival time with 50mg-kg/day turkey tail: 117 days
- Survival time with 100mg-kg/day turkey tail: 199 days
In fact, PSP has been approved as an anti-cancer drug in Japan and China. And PSK is the main component of an anti-cancer drug approved in Japan called Krestin.
Turkey tail mushrooms also carry another important compound called ergosterol.
This is found in all mushrooms and it acts like cholesterol in humans. But ergosterol also carries important anti-tumor and antioxidant properties.
Turkey tail was associated with longer survival times for patients with breast, stomach, and colorectal cancers, according to a 2012 Hong Kong study.
And in 2011, a seven-year NIH breast cancer clinical study was completed. The findings demonstrated that giving turkey tail to breast cancer patients improved their immune system and decreased the size of their tumors without having any negative side effects.
Studies on the immune-boosting properties of turkey tail have shown great promise since the FDA approved human trials for the product in 2012.
Digestive And Urinary Health
Turkey tail mushrooms can also regulate the immune cells that control inflammation.
Turkey tail in particular, works especially hard to reduce inflammation in the digestive, urinary and respiratory tract.
While we’re talking about digestive health, turkey tail is also a healthy prebiotic.
Prebiotics help with the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. These advantageous bacteria create vital vitamins and fatty acids, lessen inflammation in the digestive tract, and contribute significantly to your dog’s immune system.
Turkey tail mushrooms may also help protect the liver.
Lastly, antioxidant phenolic compounds gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, and catechin are among the health-promoting phytochemicals found in turkey tail mushrooms.
Beta-glucans aren’t just found in mushrooms. They can also be found in the cell walls of cereals and grains, although the structure of plant-based beta-glucans differs from that of mushroom beta-glucans in terms of complexity.
Cereals contain very little beta-glucan, the complex triple helix structure that gives turkey tail and other medicinal mushrooms their immune-boosting properties.
Ascertain that the turkey tail mushrooms you purchase for your dog have an analysis certificate indicating the minimum amount of beta-glucan present in the mushroom. Especially if your dog has cancer.
Additionally, ensure that the product made from mushrooms doesn’t contain a lot of starch so you can be sure the beta-glucans come from mushrooms and not grains and cereals.
Medicinal Mushroom for Cancer in Dogs (and Cats)
FAQ
How much turkey tail mushroom can I give my dog?
Who should not take turkey tail mushroom?
Are any turkey tail mushrooms poisonous?
Is turkey tail good for dogs with allergies?
What is turkey tail mushroom for dogs?
This turkey tail mushroom for dogs contains eight medicinal mushrooms with health benefits like allergy relief, antioxidants, and immune support. This turkey tail mushroom for dogs is made from 100% turkey tail mushroom and contains absolutely no inactive ingredients.
What are the health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms?
Turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom. It has many health benefits. Turkey tail contains huge variety of anti-oxidants. It has powerful anti-oxidants which boosts the immunity. It also help to treat the cancer. But few people may be allergic to mushrooms. They should avoid this variety of turkey tail mushroom as well.
How much turkey tail mushroom can a dog eat?
The amount of turkey tail mushroom for dogs depends on the supplement strength, the dog’s body weight, and its overall health status. The dosing instructions will be provided on the mushroom supplement package. It is essential to stick to the instructions, as turkey tail mushroom overdoses are possible.
Can I give my dog turkey tail mushroom extract?
To help support your dog’s immune system with mushroom beta-glucans, you can give dogs an ongoing daily dose of turkey tail extract. This is easily achievable with Real Mushrooms’ turkey tail mushroom extracts as follows: 1. If you are using the turkey tail pet-labeled capsules, then, give 1 capsule for each 10 pounds of body weight daily.