To unlock the medicinal benefits of mushrooms and make them readily available, extraction is necessary.
Liquid medicinal mushroom extracts effectively capture and preserve the numerous bioactive compounds released during the extraction process.
MycoCat mushrooms undergo a spagyric dual extraction from the fruiting body. This yields a comprehensive spectrum of medicinal compounds, including polysaccharides (such as beta-D-glucans), triterpenoids, ergosterol, antioxidants, and Vitamins B & D.
Subsequently, most mushroom extracts are commonly infused with alcohol for human consumption, while glycerin is used for mushroom extracts for pets.
Alternatively, the mushroom extract may be dried and marketed as a powdered supplement. However, it’s essential to note that many powdered mushroom products available on the market are not extracts at all, and largely consist of dried mushrooms ground up with the growing medium, lacking the concentrated extracts found in extract formulations.
In the realm of mushroom supplements for pets, many brands choose to cultivate their fungi on grain or sawdust due to cost-effectiveness. However, this approach may not offer optimal benefits for your furry companions.
Using myceliated grain means missing out on the actual mushrooms, where the beneficial compounds like beta-glucans and terpenoids are most abundant. For maximum benefits, opt for products made from wild-harvested and properly cultivated mushrooms.
Jason Scott, the mycologist behind MycoDog & MycoCat’s sustainable mushroom extracts for pets, joined me on the Your Natural Dog podcast to discuss the significance of extracting from the fruiting bodies of mushrooms and what features to seek in a pet mushroom supplement.
“When you are looking at research of mycelium and the benefits of mycelium, it doesn’t really translate to myceliated grain the same way that people are kind of insinuating that it does. Whereas when you work with the full fruit body, you know what you’re getting, [everything] you’re getting is coming from the mushrooms themselves.” – Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog Podcast
Now, enter MycoDog, the rebel in the mushroom industry. We do things differently. We get our mushrooms for pets straight from the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, not from some grain bag.
“We try to be as transparent as possible, and until we have a verified method to be producing mycelium in a pure way, we’re not going to offer it, because right now you just can’t get it unadulterated.” – Jason Scott on Your Natural Dog Podcast
Choosing MycoCat means you’re giving your pet only the good stuff, just the full benefits of functional mushrooms for pets without compromise. So, when it comes to the best mushroom supplement for pets, we’ve got you covered.
Mushrooms are bio-accumulators, which means the absorb toxins from polluted air and earth. Although China has been known for its mushroom cultivation methods, it is one of the most polluted countries in the world.
Mushrooms growing in their natural environment in the United States’ Pacific Northwest region* are not exposed to these pollutants and toxins, which is an important factor to consider when choosing mushrooms for dogs.
MycoDog tinctures are thoughtfully formulated, from mushrooms that are grown outside, naturally, with no grains or fillers. Mushrooms are bio-accumulators (absorb toxins from polluted air and environment), so we searched for mushrooms grown in their natural habitat, in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. It is important to source mushrooms from an area that is least likely to be impacted by environmental toxins which might be absorbed by the mushrooms.
How mushrooms are grown significantly influences the benefits mushroom supplements can offer your cat. Were you aware that mushrooms can be cultivated on substrates like grain and rice and sawdust? It’s a cost-effective and expedient method for large-scale production.
However, the issue lies in the nutritional content. Essentially, you are what you eat. Mushrooms cultivated on grains absorb the nutrients from these substrates, which often lack the essential health benefits your cat requires. Conversely, when mushrooms grow naturally on trees in the wild, they absorb vital vitamins and nutrients crucial for your cat’s well-being.
Interestingly, many people overlook the fact that mushrooms are grown, harvested, extracted, and packaged right here in the United States! With a bit of exploration, you’ll discover that the Pacific Northwest serves as a haven for mushrooms, supplying us with naturally cultivated varieties for over 2,400 years. It’s a hidden gem of America, yet imperative to recognize to ensure we access the finest mushroom sources for ourselves and our pets, while also supporting our local farmers.
MycoCat tinctures are meticulously crafted from mushrooms cultivated outdoors, free from grains or fillers. Given mushrooms’ ability to absorb environmental toxins, we prioritized sourcing from the pristine woodlands of the Pacific Northwest. This ensures minimal exposure to pollutants that could otherwise affect the mushrooms’ purity and efficacy.
