Turkey Tail Mushrooms for Dogs

Since ancient times, humans have relied on the properties of medicinal mushrooms and other fungi to treat health problems. In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners use fungi to treat cancer, boost the immune system, fight inflammation and infections, and treat kidney disease, to name just a few of their uses. Ancient Egyptians believed mushrooms conferred immortality—or at least long life.

Science confirms the high nutritional value of mushrooms. But do they have health benefits as well—for both humans and dogs?

The answer is…maybe. As with so many complementary or alternative therapies, few gold-standard scientific studies—those that are large-scale, randomized, and controlled—have been done to test their properties. However, the little that is known suggests that some mushrooms have possibilities when it comes to certain types of treatment. One is Trametes versicolor, or Coriolus versicolor, commonly known as the turkey tail mushroom for its appearance and coloration, resembling the unfurled tail fan of a tom turkey.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits for Dogs

I first learned of the potential benefits of turkey tail mushrooms for dogs when my 17-year-old Chihuahua mix, Gemma, was diagnosed with mammary cancer nine years ago. Her integrative veterinarian suggested supplementing her diet with them because there was some science to support their anticancer activity. It took a while to find them, and Gemma didn’t live long enough for us to know if they had any real benefit. But what are those potential benefits? Studies suggest that the following compounds in mushrooms have anticancer and antitumor properties:

• Beta-glucans
• Phenolic compounds
• Flavonoid compounds
• Terpenoids
• Polysaccharides
• Polysaccharopeptides (PSPs)

Polysaccharopeptides are the bioactive agent in turkey tail mushrooms. In a double-blind randomized multidose study in 2012, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine looked at whether high-dose PSP significantly affected the progression of splenic hemangiosarcoma in 15 dogs and extended survival time. Based on their results, treatment with PSP delivered antitumor and survival effects on a par with standard chemotherapy, with little to no documented negative effects on normal cells. In dogs who received the highest dose of the PSP supplement—100 mg/kg/day of I’m-Yunity—median time to development or progression of metastasis to the abdomen was significantly delayed.

Dogs in this dose group also had the longest median survival times. That’s the length of time from either date of diagnosis or start of treatment that half of the patients in a group diagnosed with the disease are still alive. In a clinical trial, measuring median survival is one way to see how well a treatment works.

“It was only one study and it was a very small group of dogs, but it seemed like with those mushrooms, those dogs lived longer,” says Gavin Casper, DVM, at Hometown Animal Hospital in Weston, Florida.

In general, other studies have shown that mushroom polysaccharides do not attack cancer cells directly but produce their antitumor effects by activating different immune responses in the host. Their activity is particularly important regarding function of T cells (so called because they mature in the thymus gland), which fight viruses, bacteria, and tumor cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, which destroy unhealthy cells that threaten the body.

Beta-glucans from fungi are a class of polysaccharides. They act as biological response modifiers, stimulating the immune system and contributing to cancer remission. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenoids act as anticancer agents through their effects on certain molecular mechanisms, with the result of helping to reduce tumor growth.

Other Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs

While turkey tail mushrooms have some known science backing their use in dogs for at least one type of cancer—hemangiosarcoma—other mushroom species are also in play when it comes to medicinal effects:

• Chaga
• Cordyceps
• Lion’s mane
• Maitake
• Reishi
• Shiitake

Mostly, they are thought to have similar immune-boosting and anti-cancer benefits, at least in humans. In traditional Chinese medicine, various mushrooms may be used to support the liver or kidneys or for a calming effect. Here are some other things to know about them:

• In dogs, reports have shown chaga to have antitumor effects in dogs with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
• Cordyceps are thought to increase energy and endurance and support kidney function, although no well-controlled studies validate these benefits.
• Anecdotally, lion’s mane may help to slow cognitive dysfunction in pets with dementia. It’s also believed to support gut health and have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Like other medicinal mushrooms, limited research shows that maitake may have a beneficial effect on the immune system.
• Reishi mushrooms have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help to support the immune system and for anti-inflammatory effects.
• Shiitakes are among the most researched medicinal mushrooms, although little has been done specifically for dogs. They support the immune system and are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans.

While there is generally no harm in supplementing dogs with turkey tails or other mushrooms, in his practice, Dr. Casper recommends mushrooms only for immune support or dogs with cancer. In rare instances, he says, mushrooms may exacerbate certain immune issues, so check with your veterinarian before giving them.

Side Effects of Turkey Tail Mushrooms for Dogs

Turkey tail (and other) mushrooms aren’t a treatment for cancer, and you should beware anyone who touts them as a cure. They may, however, help to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, complement standard cancer treatment, and improve quality of life.

Any treatment, natural or conventional, can have side effects. The most common turkey tail mushroom side effect for dogs is gastrointestinal upset. We’ve seen that in most of our dogs when we add any type of supplement to their diet. Turkey tail mushrooms are no exception, and Dr. Casper confirmed that it was their primary side effect. Start with half the recommended dose and gradually increase it to the full amount. The dose depends on the dog’s size and whether the product is a concentrated extract or a powder made from whole mushrooms.

Finding Good Mushroom Supplements for Dogs

The other drawback when it comes to medicinal mushrooms for dogs is that the supplement market, whether for pets or humans, has little regulation. To find good-quality products, look for companies whose products are third-party tested to confirm the identity, purity, strength, and composition of their ingredients.

Certifications to look for include Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seals. These indicate that products contain the correct ingredients in appropriate amounts, are free from contamination by heavy metals or other toxins, and are properly packaged and labeled.

For medicinal mushrooms, check to see if they’ve been tested for beta-glucan content, containing at least 25 percent or more in extracts; 15 percent in powders.

Red flags to avoid include:

• Labels that do not list beta-glucan percentage.
• Labels that do not specify “fruiting body”—the actual mushroom—as an ingredient.
• Labels that list mycelium or myceliated grain as ingredients, both of which are lower in quality than the fruiting body.

Casper uses I’m Yunity in his practice. Other products with good reputations include Real Mushrooms, Four Leaf Rover, and Animal Essentials.

Turkey Tails Mushroom for Dog Cancer

For canine cancer patients who don’t have access to surgery or chemotherapy or those like Gemma whose age doesn’t make them good candidates for invasive treatments, turkey tail mushroom supplements could improve survival and quality of life.