Why Functional Mushrooms Are Gaining Traction with Vets

Introduction: A Booming Wellness Trend in Pet Care

The pet wellness industry is riding a remarkable wave. In 2024, the global pet supplement market was valued at USD 1.3 billion—and it’s forecasted to grow to USD 2.1 billion by 2033, driven by pet owners’ increasing demand for natural, preventive care solutions (IMARC Group). Within this burgeoning space, the global pet mushroom supplements segment—a niche but rapidly expanding sector—reached approximately USD 420 million in 2024. Projections put it at USD 1.12 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% (Market Intelo).

Meanwhile, the broader functional mushroom market—encompassing human wellness, food and beverages, and personal care—is expected to nearly double over the next several years. Estimates range from USD 31.7 billion in 2023 to potential highs of USD 62.2 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR between 9% and 11% (Grand View Research).

In short: pet owners' heightened interest in holistic wellbeing, combined with the mushroom wellness boom, is fueling a perfect storm. Vets are increasingly leveraging functional mushrooms to complement traditional therapies and meet growing demand for integrative pet care.

1. What Are Functional Mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms are more than ingredients—they’re long-respected allies in wellness. Unlike common edible fungi, varieties such as Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM), Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), and Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) are valued for their bioactive compounds—beta‑glucans, triterpenoids, polysaccharopeptides—which modulate immunity, combat oxidative stress, and display a healthy inflammatory response and cellular health promotion (Mizuno, 2002; Hetland et al., 2011).

2. Not Just Beta-Glucans: The Synergistic Bioactive Matrix

While beta-glucans are among the best-known immune modulators, they represent only part of the broader healing power of functional mushrooms. It is more appropriate to recognize the synergistic effects of multiple bioactive compounds. Below are some bioactives found in functional mushrooms:

  • Polysaccharides (e.g., beta- and alpha-glucans, polysaccharide-peptides): Enhance cytokine signaling, activate macrophages, and support systemic immunity.
  • Ergosterol: A precursor of vitamin D2 with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Blazein and Agarol (Agaricus blazei): Compounds shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells (preclinical models).
  • Organic Selenium: When mushrooms are cultivated in selenium-enriched media, they become a natural antioxidant source, supporting immune and thyroid health.
  • Triterpenoids (e.g., ganoderic acids in Ganoderma) Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and adaptogenic properties.
  • PSK and PSP (Coriolus versicolor): Widely used in Japan and China as adjunct therapies for cancer, shown to support T-cell activity.
  • Cordycepin (Cordyceps): Enhances mitochondrial ATP production, shows antiviral and anti-inflammatory action.

Whole mushroom powder formulations may be the first choice for animals with healthy appetites and digestion, as they have stronger acid and quicker protein and fat digestion than humans. These bioactive compounds in whole mushroom powder work more effectively synergistically than in isolated forms, which can be achieved through extraction processes that may leave out some bioactives. 

3. Mechanisms of Immune Support: The Power of Beta‑Glucans

Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides found in fungal cell walls. Beta-glucans help activate immune pathways by binding to receptors. They activate macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), priming them to better respond to infections and malignancies (Johnson et al., 2009; Morikawa et al., 1985). Via modulation of cytokine responses and enhancement of natural killer (NK) cell activity, these compounds enable more robust defenses against pathogens and abnormal cells (Chan et al., 2009).

4. Translating Intent to Practice: Immunonutrition in Veterinary Care

Within veterinary integrative medicine, practitioners conceptualize functional mushrooms as part of immunonutrition—using dietary agents to strengthen host defenses—and potentially as supporting wellness during high-risk life stages. This philosophy supports a proactive, resilience-focused framework, especially relevant for aging pets, high-risk breeds, and post‑operative cancer care.

Notable clinical pathways include:

  • Cancer diet
  • Liver health and chronic health challenge adjuncts
  • Pediatric immunity—especially for orphaned or immunocompromised juveniles
  • Aging and stress-related immune decline in shelter or transit settings

 

5. Clinical Insights and Evidence

5.1. Oncology Support

Dr. Alice Villalobos, a pioneer in veterinary oncology and author of Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology, Honoring the Human-Animal Bond (2007), reports enhanced condition, quality of life, and survival time in her cancer patients using ABM-based Agaricus Bio immunonutrition protocols (Villalobos, 2017). This case study involved 97 dogs and cats.

Her finding: dogs with lymphoma receiving Agaricus Bio® alongside chemotherapy experienced a 42% increase in average survival days, with some surviving over five years—a standout outcome in veterinary oncology (Ogilvie, as cited in Villalobos, 2017). A 5-year period typically spans 25~50% of a pet’s life span. It is impressive. Although derived from clinical observation rather than controlled trials, these data suggest promising synergistic effects.

5.2. Mechanistic Support for Immune and Cellular Health

Scientific studies reinforce this approach:

  • ABM enhances NK cell and macrophage activity, bolstering innate immune surveillance (Ahn et al., 2004; Hetland et al., 2011).
  • It exhibits anti‑angiogenic properties, potentially inhibiting blood vessel to unhealthy cell growth and spreading (Kimura et al., 2004).
  • Animal models demonstrate increased cellular defense mechanisms with oral ABM supplementation (Takimoto et al., 2004).

5.3. Liver Recovery and Immune Restoration

Dr. Swanson, a feline specialist, observed rapid normalization of AST liver enzyme levels—from over 2000 down to 500—within two weeks of combining ABM with milk thistle in a senior feline patient (Swanson, 2023). This suggests potentiated hepatic support when using Agaricus Bio mushroom liquid supplements in combination with botanical therapeutics.

Another feline specialist, Dr. Hodgkins, reported that Agaricus blazei plays a role in helping immune-compromised animals in a non-toxic way (Hodgkins, 2007).

5.4. Pediatric Support & Preventive Applications

Dr. Yoo advocates for Agaricus blazei supplementation in orphaned or weaned puppies and kittens that emerge with immature immunity. In such cases, ABM may bridge immunological gaps, supporting adaptation to stressors like new environments or shelter intake (Yoo, 2021).

6. Regulating Quality: Ensuring Safe and Effective Products

A critical challenge: product variability. Studies indicate that up to 38% of supplements fail to meet label claims, primarily due to poor manufacturing oversight (JAVMA, 2017). Veterinarians must prioritize products with transparent, tested sourcing, ideally with standardized potency content and third-party batch analysis.

7. Delivery Methods & Integration in Practice

Medicinal mushrooms for dogs and cats are available in various formats, including capsules, powders, liquids, broths, treats, and kibbles. This versatility allows flexible integration tailored to patient preference and ease of administration. As always, dosing should be guided by the manufacturer’s feeding instructions and clinical judgment and monitoring.

Typically, you mix the mushroom powder and liquid with food. Powder in pull-apart capsules or liquid extract with a dropper with mL markings would help feed the more precise dosages.

8. Emerging Trends: Mushrooms Go Mainstream

Functional mushrooms are not just trending in wellness—they’re becoming mainstream. In the U.S., sales of functional mushroom-infused food and beverage products have surged by over 450% since 2021, including mushroom coffees, sodas, and meat blends (Axios). This trend reflects broader public interest in adaptogens and cognitive-supportive superfoods, which reinforces the credibility of similar interventions in veterinary care.

Conclusion: The Strategic Role of Functional Mushrooms in Proactive Pet Care

Against a backdrop of booming wellness demand and growing evidence of immune and healing benefits, functional mushrooms are emerging as a strategic, evidence-informed addition to veterinary integrative care. With careful selection, dosing, and clinical oversight, they offer:

  • Immune system conditioning and resilience
  • Supportive role in oncology and post-operative recovery
  • Enhanced liver and pediatric health outcomes
  • A bridge to holistic, personalized wellness paradigms

References

  1. Ahn, W.-S., et al. (2004). Natural killer cell activity and quality of life were improved by consumption of a mushroom extract, Agaricus blazei Murill Kyowa, in gynecological cancer patients. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 14(4), 589–594.
  2. Chan, G. C., et al. (2009). The effect of beta‑glucan on human immune and cancer cells. Journal of Hematology & Oncology, 2(25).
  3. Hetland, G., et al. (2008). Effects of the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on immunity, infection and cancer. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 68(4), 363–370.
  4. Hetland, G., et al. (2011). The mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill elicits medicinal effects on tumor, infection, allergy, and inflammation. Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Article ID 157015.
  5. Johnson, E., et al. (2009). Effect of an extract based on the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on release of cytokines. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 69(3), 242–250.
  6. Kimura, Y., et al. (2004). Isolation of an anti‑angiogenic substance from Agaricus blazei Murill: Its antitumor and antimetastatic actions. In Vivo, 18(3), 301–306.
  7. Morikawa, K., et al. (1985). Induction of tumoricidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes by beta‑1,3-D-glucan. Cancer Research, 45(4), 1496–1501.
  8. Swanson, S. (2023). Interview on feline cases and use of Agaricus blazei. Atlas World USA, Inc internal report. 
  9. Hodgkins, E. M. (2007). Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life. St. Martin's Griffin.
  10. Takimoto, H., et al. (2004). Potentiation of cytotoxic activity in tumor-bearing mice by oral Agaricus blazei. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 27(3), 404–406.
  11. Villalobos, A. (2017). Agaricus ImmunoNutrition Protocol. Veterinary Cancer Society Presentation.
  12. Yoo, H. (2021). Preventive and diverse use of Agaricus blazei mushroom in veterinary medicine. International Animal Health Journal, 8(3).
  13. Grand View Research. (2023). Global functional mushroom market size: USD 31.71 billion in 2023, projected to USD 65.83 billion by 2030.
  14. Marketintelo. (2024). Pet mushroom supplements market: USD 420 million in 2024; projected to USD 1.12 billion by 2033.
  15. IMARC Group. (2024). Global pet supplement market: USD 1.3 billion (2024), growing to USD 2.1 billion by 2033.
  16. NutraIngredients‑USA. (2025, Feb 20). Mushroom supplement sales: nearly USD 160 million in 2024; 20% increase from prior year.
  17. Grand View Research. (2023). North America functional mushroom supplements market: USD 541.77 million in 2023; CAGR 15.0% from 2024 to 2030.
  18. PetMD. (2023, Aug 4). Ways to administer medicinal mushrooms to dogs.
  19. Axios. (2025, Aug 5). Sales of mushroom‑infused foods and beverages up over 450% in U.S. since 2021.
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