Did you know that September is National Mushroom Month and National Honey Month!? I just learned about the celebration of these two magical, medicinal beauties!
You may be asking yourself, are medicinal mushrooms ok to feed your pets?
I am a big fan of medicinal mushrooms for people and pets. These small but mighty fungi have been touted to have the following capabilities:
- Anti-cancer properties
- Cellular regeneration
- Disease prevention
Let’s meet the big five friendly fungi that possess these amazing powers:
- Reishi – boosts immune system, cancer fighting, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants. They also contain gut supportive prebiotic polysaccharides. Commonly used to aiding the liver, lungs, allergies, arthritis and anxiety.
- Shiitake – reported to contain the same amino acids as meat! They possess anti-cancer properties, immune support, liver support, anti-viral. It is also the most studied and most popular of all medicinal mushrooms!
- Maitake – referred to as “Chicken of the Woods” in the western world! They are purported to have anti-cancer properties, liver supportive and lowering cholesterol.
- Turkey Tail – immune enhancement, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, antioxidant. They contain over 35 different phenolic compounds that boost immunity, reduce inflammation and boosts efficacy of cancer treatments.
- Cordyceps – supports the liver, kidneys, immune booster along with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Commonly used to treat asthma, leaky gut syndrome, liver disorders and respiratory issues.
Giving your pet medicinal mushrooms is great for their overall health. It is VERY important to never feed your pet raw mushrooms and only supplement with a high-quality supplement from a reputable source. I like RX Vitamins for Pets RxCoriolus Forte or Four Leaf Rover Immunity.
And for a double whammy of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant goodness, I started carrying Holistic Hound’s Mighty Mojo Hemp & Mushroom Oil with 250 mg of CBD! If your pet is in need of extra support with immunity, inflammation, anxiety or gut support, then this oil is worth a try!
Manuka Honey
I have heard so many good things about Manuka honey. A sweet treat from nature that has healing properties is a win-win in my book!
Manuka honey is a monofloral honey derived from the Manuka tree that is found primarily in New Zealand and Australia. It is darker than regular honey and extremely rich in antioxidants. It contains a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO) which is responsible for its unique antioxidant properties.
The following applications are used with Manuka honey:
- wound healing due to its antibacterial properties
- helps itchy skin and allergies
- controls inflammation
- supports gut health thanks to it being a natural prebiotic
immune support agains viruses- oral health support
When choosing Manuka honey, you need to look for the appropriate grade. Products with the higher methylglyoxal (MGO) amounts are the best benefit. A UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) grading system. When selecting a Manuka honey, you want to source one that has a UMF of at least 10+ with 20+ being used to support your pet through kennel cough.
So how much Manuka honey do you feed your dog or cat?
1/4 tsp for cats twice a day
1/2 tsp twice a day for small dogs under 20 lbs
1 tsp twice a day for dogs 20 – 60 lbs
2 tsp twice a day for dogs over 60 lbs
A word of caution, Manuka honey is a natural sugar so it should NOT be given to diabetic pets. It should also not be given to pets under a year old due to its raw nature and your pets underdeveloped immune system.
Nature is pretty awesome when it comes to its natural healing products! So celebrate the month of September by possibly incorporating these into your pets life – and even yours!
