Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits for Dogs & Cats
The Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is large, white, and shaggy and is widely used for both culinary and medicinal reasons in Asian countries. Lion’s Mane can be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or steeped as tea. Most describe its flavor to be similar to sea-food. Widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, Lion’s Mane mushrooms are an adaptogenic mushroom that contains antioxidants, beta-glucans, and other bioactive compounds providing a variety of pet health benefits. Often consumed fresh, dried, in tea or supplement form; Lion’s Mane mushrooms for dogs and cats are best offered in a powdered supplement and/or liquid tincture form. When seeking out Lion’s Mane mushrooms for dogs and cats, it is best to find a pet supplement that uses the full spectrum of bioactive compounds in both fruiting body and mycelium. Both fruiting body and mycelium will have a variety of immunologically active compounds that can support pet health and wellness.
Lion’s Mane mushroom benefits are primarily attributed to supporting overall cognitive health, but at Earth Buddy we believe the benefits extend beyond cognition into helping with stress and mood. There have also been studies showing the neuroprotective benefits of Lion’s mane often related to oxidative stress. Mushrooms for dogs and cats, in general, may help fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress, but of all the mushrooms Lion’s Mane has shown to have a higher amount of antioxidants than most. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are also known for their ability to stimulate NGF (nerve growth factor), a protein that plays a critical role in activating neurons in the brain. As dogs and cats age they tend to experience all of the age related ailments we do as humans, so supplementing Lion’s Mane for senior dogs and cats is a great natural remedy to incorporate into your pet’s holistic tool box.
Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane for Dogs & Cats:
- Promotes healthy cognitive function
- Helps reduce symptoms of mild stress
- Curtails symptoms of memory loss
- Stimulates growth and repair of nerve cells
- May reduce free radical damage
- Provides antioxidants
- Promotes a sense of relaxation and mental alertness without drowsiness
- Supports the immune system
- Enhances senior dog and cat brain function
