Reishi for Dogs: What Research Says About Immune Support and Safety

Reishi has a long history of use in human wellness, and pet owners are increasingly seeing it in supplements made for dogs. But what does research actually tell us about giving Reishi to a dog?

There is published research involving healthy adult dogs. Its findings offer a useful starting point, especially for questions about immune function and short-term tolerance. The research is still limited though, and it should not be taken as proof that Reishi treats disease, improves mobility, or produces a particular result for every dog.

What Is Reishi?

Reishi, also known as Ganoderma lucidum or Lingzhi, is a functional mushroom that contains naturally occurring compounds, including beta-glucans. Researchers are studying how these compounds interact with the immune system.

That interest does not make Reishi a treatment for an immune condition. In pet supplements, it is more appropriately described as an ingredient that may support normal immune function and overall wellness.

What Did Researchers Find When They Studied Reishi in Dogs?

A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Animal Science evaluated Reishi supplementation in 40 healthy adult Beagles. After a seven-day adjustment period, the dogs received their assigned diets for 28 days. One group received no Reishi; the other groups received 5, 10, or 15 mg of Reishi per kilogram of body weight each day.

The researchers looked at immune-cell measures and vaccine response, along with digestion, fecal microbiota, and skin and coat health. That makes the study useful for pet owners: it examined Reishi in dogs, rather than relying only on human or laboratory research. The study is also available through PubMed.

What did the study find about immune function?

The clearest finding was in dogs receiving the highest amount studied, 15 mg/kg of body weight per day. Following rabies vaccination, this group had a greater vaccine-specific antibody response than the group that received no Reishi. Researchers also observed trends in certain immune-cell measures, including phagocytic activity—the process by which some immune cells engulf foreign material.

These findings suggest that Reishi may affect certain immune responses in healthy adult dogs. They do not show that Reishi broadly “boosts immunity” or that a dog taking a Reishi supplement will have better protection from illness.

What the Research Does and Doesn’t Tell Us

The study did not establish that Reishi treats or prevents disease, eases arthritis or joint pain, improves mobility, calms anxiety, improves sleep, or extends a dog’s life. Those outcomes were not demonstrated in this research.

The researchers also did not find meaningful treatment-related differences in every measure they examined. That matters when considering a supplement: promising results in a few immune measures should be understood alongside the results that did not change.

The study tested Reishi under specific conditions in healthy adult Beagles. It did not test every Reishi product, a Reishi and Cordyceps blend, or dogs with existing health conditions.

What Did Researchers Learn About Safety?

The dogs remained healthy during the 28-day supplementation period, and the researchers reported no detrimental effects on the health, digestion, skin, coat, or immune cells they assessed under the study conditions.

That is encouraging, but a short study in healthy dogs cannot establish that Reishi is appropriate for every dog or safe with every medication. A senior dog managing a medical condition, for example, may need a different level of care and oversight. Your veterinarian can help you decide whether a supplement belongs in that dog’s routine.

Why Combine Reishi and Cordyceps?

Functional mushrooms are sometimes combined to support different wellness goals. The 1935 Farms PUREPET™ Mobility Mushroom Powder contains both Reishi and Cordyceps.

Reishi is included for immune wellness and healthy aging support. Cordyceps is selected for its potential to support natural energy, vitality, and everyday activity. Together, the ingredients are intended to support a dog’s broader wellness routine.

The Reishi study discussed above did not test this combination, and neither mushroom should be viewed as a treatment for arthritis or a replacement for veterinary care.

Follow Directions Based on Your Dog’s Weight

The researchers calculated the amount of Reishi each dog received according to body weight. That does not mean pet owners should use the study’s amounts to measure out a supplement at home. Products can contain different forms and concentrations of mushroom ingredients.

Follow the weight-based serving directions on the specific dog product you choose. For PUREPET™ Mobility Mushroom Powder, the directions explain how much powder to mix into food based on your dog’s weight. Do not increase the serving in hopes of getting a faster or stronger result.

The way you give a supplement matters, too. Our Mushroom Powder vs. Chews for Dogs guide compares how different formats fit into a dog’s daily routine.

Look Beyond “Reishi” on the Label

A product’s front label cannot tell you everything about the mushroom inside. Products may differ in how their ingredients are grown, processed, extracted, and tested.

When comparing supplements for your dog, look for the identified mushroom species, the form of the ingredient, a clear amount per serving, weight-based directions, and information about testing and sourcing. Beta-glucan information can also help you understand what a manufacturer measures in its mushroom ingredient.

Some products use fruiting-body extracts; others use mycelium, sometimes grown on grain. Reading the full ingredient label helps you see what the product contains instead of relying on the word “Reishi” alone. Our guide to choosing a high-quality mushroom supplement explains what else to look for.

When Should You Talk to Your Veterinarian?

Check with your veterinarian before adding Reishi if your dog takes medication, has a medical condition, is receiving treatment, is preparing for surgery, is pregnant or nursing, or has known food or mushroom sensitivities. Contact your veterinarian if your dog has an unexpected reaction after starting any new product.

Your veterinarian can consider your dog’s health history, diet, medications, and other supplements together. Do not stop prescribed treatment or use a mushroom supplement in its place without veterinary guidance.

A Thoughtful Way to Consider Reishi for Your Dog

The canine study gives pet owners a useful piece of evidence: researchers observed changes in certain immune measures in healthy adult dogs, while reporting no detrimental effects on the health measures assessed during the study. It also leaves important questions unanswered, especially for dogs with medical conditions and for products that differ from the Reishi used in the research.

If Reishi fits your dog’s wellness goals, choose a product with clear ingredients and directions, use it as directed, and keep your veterinarian involved when your dog’s health calls for it.

Additional Reading

• Peer-Reviewed Reishi Research in Healthy Adult Dogs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38417056/
• Full Reishi Canine Study — Journal of Animal Science: https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/102/3/skae051/7615779
• PUREPET™ Mobility Mushroom Powder: https://1935farms.com/product/purepet-mobility-blend/
• Mushroom Powder vs. Chews for Dogs: https://1935farms.com/mushroom-powder-vs-chews-for-dogs/
• How to Choose a High-Quality Mushroom Supplement: https://1935farms.com/how-to-choose-high-quality-mushroom-supplement/