CBD oil and medicinal mushrooms are two of the most researched natural supplements for pet longevity. CBD works through the endocannabinoid system to support calming, immune balance, and stiff joints. Medicinal mushrooms - including Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Agarikon - deliver beta-glucans and polysaccharides that support immune function, gut health, and cognitive vitality. Used together, they support multiple body systems simultaneously, making them a powerful foundation for any pet longevity routine.
What Are the Benefits of CBD and Medicinal Mushrooms for Pets?
Pet parents today are increasingly turning to natural wellness approaches to support their dogs and cats alongside veterinary care. CBD oil and medicinal mushrooms have emerged as two of the most researched options - and when used together, they support the body through complementary pathways that neither supplement can address alone.
CBD works through the endocannabinoid system, a biological network present in all mammals that helps regulate mood, immune response, and interacts with every chemical pathway in the body. Medicinal mushrooms work through the immune system and the gut microbiome - promoting an adaptogenic effect that allows the body's system to handle physical and emotional stress. Together, they offer whole-body support that covers calming, immunity, digestion, and cellular health.
These days, many pet parents are turning to holistic alternatives like CBD oil or a whole-food diet because more and more evidence suggests that safer or natural remedies are what people and their pets prefer. But when there’s a significant amount of research on traditional medicine and not nearly enough research on holistic or integrative medicine, it leaves a pet parent unsure of which options are actually trustworthy.
Earth Buddy founder Sean Zyer joins Carrie Hyde and Brittney Whiteford in the Spawdcast to explain how holistic alternatives, such as CBD oil and functional mushrooms, can benefit your pet’s longevity. The Spawdcast is a podcast for pet owners and pet industry professionals, created by Carrie and Brittney, both certified pet nutritionists, who share a mission to help pet owners care for pets in a “whole and natural” way.
How Full Spectrum CBD Oil Supports Your Dog or Cat
What Is CBD and How Does It Work in Pets?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of 100+ cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC - the compound responsible for intoxication - CBD is non-intoxicating but does cross the blood-brain barrier and act on serotonin pathways, activating changes in mood and perception that support calming and balance in pets.
Although the benefits of CBD for dogs is gaining popularity, this rise has been accompanied by many myths and misconceptions.
The Endocannabinoid System in Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) just like humans. The ECS is a network of receptors found throughout the body - in the brain, immune system, digestive system, nervous system, and even skin - that helps regulate balance across multiple biological functions. Full spectrum CBD can engage these receptors to support a calm, balanced state in the body.
Full-Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate: What's the Difference?
Full-spectrum CBD contains the complete profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in the hemp plant. CBD isolate contains only pure CBD with all other compounds removed. Full-spectrum CBD is generally considered more safe and effective because of the entourage effect - the synergy between plant compounds that enhances CBD's benefits while allowing for a lower effective dose.
Although both the hemp plant and marijuana plant come from the same cannabis sativa family, the two are distinctly different. The hemp grown in Colorado is producing high amounts of CBD and other minor cannabinoids and terpenes and is regulated as both an agricultural crop and with the health department for safety. Another difference is the level of THC found in both plants. To put it simply, marijuana has more than 0.3% levels of THC, while hemp has less than 0.3%.
The Entourage Effect Explained
The entourage effect describes how the full spectrum of compounds in the hemp plant work together more effectively than any single compound in isolation. Terpenes - the aromatic compounds in plants - work in synergy with CBD and other cannabinoids to maximize effectiveness at a lower dose. Earth Buddy uses whole-plant, full-spectrum CBD in all of its pet formulas for this reason.
Earth Buddy uses hemp as a botanical extract, or as plant therapy, for pets. We use the full spectrum extracts by safely and gently removing compounds through a process called subcritical Co2.
We use hemp, not marijuana, in our pet products to ensure pet parents that our products will not get your pet high. Our expertise is used to grow cannabis plants with high CBD genetics, so we can extract the full plant, rather than just the CBD alone.
The entourage effect suggests that there is a synergy to using all the different components of cannabis, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and more.
Because you are maximizing CBD’s effects when using the whole plant, this means pets can respond to both higher and lower dosages in a safer and more effective way. When taking a CBD isolate, a higher dose may be required to achieve the same desired effect and may lead to lower efficacy or a "waste of money".
How Medicinal Mushrooms Support Pet Health
Like hemp, medicinal mushrooms have been used in plant-based wellness traditions for thousands of years. Every functional mushroom has unique properties, but nearly all share the ability to support immune health through their high concentration of triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and specifically beta-glucans.
Beta-glucans engage the immune system - including macrophages, neutrophils, and basophils - that help the body maintain a balanced, responsive immune state. They also support healthy cholesterol levels, balanced blood sugar, and a healthy gut microbiome.
Immune System Support
Medicinal mushrooms are classified as immunomodulators or adaptogenic - they help the immune system respond in a balanced, proportionate way rather than simply stimulating it. Turkey Tail and Reishi are particularly well-studied for their ability to support immune resilience through polysaccharides and beta-glucan activity.
Calming and Stress Support
Reishi mushroom is often called the "mushroom of calm" for its adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens help the body maintain balance during periods of environmental stress, supporting a more relaxed, settled state in dogs and cats without sedation.
Digestive and Gut Health
Functional mushrooms contain prebiotic-type polysaccharides that support a balanced gut microbiome. Because a significant portion of immune activity originates in the GI tract, supporting gut health with medicinal mushrooms also contributes to broader immune resilience in pets.
Which Medicinal Mushrooms Are Best for Dogs and Cats?
- Reishi - Calming, immune balance, stress support
- Turkey Tail - Immune modulation, gut health, rich in PSP and PSK
- Lion's Mane - Cognitive support, nervous system health, especially valuable for senior pets
- Cordyceps - Energy, respiratory function, kidney health
- Chaga - Antioxidant protection, healthy inflammatory response
Can You Give CBD and Mushrooms Together to Your Pet?
Yes - CBD oil and medicinal mushrooms for dogs and cats are safe to use together and work through complementary pathways that may enhance each other's effectiveness. CBD engages the endocannabinoid system. Medicinal mushrooms work through immune pathways and the gut microbiome. Because they act on different biological systems, combining them supports whole-body wellness more comprehensively than either supplement alone.
Earth Buddy's full-spectrum CBD oil and mushroom blends are formulated specifically for dogs and cats and can be used together as part of a daily wellness routine. Consult your veterinarian before starting any new supplement, especially if your pet takes prescription medications.
How to Choose a Quality CBD and Mushroom Supplement for Your Pet
There are many options to choose from with pet CBD and mushroom supplements, but the actual quality varies drastically. Here's what to look for:
- Third-party lab testing - Always ask for a certificate of analysis (COA) showing cannabinoid potency and the absence of heavy metals, pesticides, and microbials. [View Earth Buddy's lab results here.]
- Full-spectrum hemp extract - Look for multiple cannabinoids and terpenes on the COA, not just CBD alone.
- Full-Spectrum mushroom extracts - Avoid mycelium-only products, or products that do not detail their extraction process will likely have lower concentrations of active beta-glucans.
- Pet-specific formulation - Human supplements are not dosed or formulated for dogs and cats. Use products specifically designed for companion animals.
- USDA Organic sourcing - Hemp and Mushrooms are bioaccumulators, meaning they absorb whatever is in their growing environment. Organic certification matters more for hemp and mushrooms than almost any other supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my dog CBD oil and medicinal mushrooms at the same time?
Yes, CBD oil and medicinal mushrooms can be given together as a longevity routine for dogs and cats. They work through different biological pathways - the endocannabinoid system and the immune system respectively - and complement each other's effects on calming, immune health, and pet longevity.
What medicinal mushrooms are safe for dogs and cats?
Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga are all considered safe for dogs and cats when sourced from an insured, pet-specific supplement manufacturer. Always choose products that are third-party tested and formulated specifically for companion animals.
What is the entourage effect in CBD for pets?
The entourage effect refers to the synergy between cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs and cats. When the whole plant is used rather than CBD alone, these compounds work together to enhance effectiveness and allow for a lower effective dose.
How long does it take for CBD and mushrooms to work in dogs and cats?
CBD may support calming within 20 to 60 minutes of administration. Medicinal mushrooms work cumulatively - most pet owners notice changes in energy, coat quality, and immune resilience within 3 to 6 weeks of consistent daily use.
What is the difference between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate for pets?
Full-spectrum CBD contains the complete profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant, while CBD isolate contains only pure CBD. Full-spectrum is generally more effective due to the entourage effect, where plant compounds work together synergistically to enhance results at a lower and higher dosage.
For Further Reading, we suggest:
- What Are the Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms for Dogs?
- How Cordyceps Mushrooms Support Energy and Vitality in Dogs
- How to Calm a Restless Dog at Night
- What Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms and Are They Safe for Pets?
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