What is beta glucan?
Ok pup parents! Before we start yapping about the benefits of beta glucan for dogs, we should explain what it is. After all, it’s important to know what we’re feeding to our beloved pets.
Beta glucan is a type of soluble fibre that experts believe offers a wealth of health benefits. That’s to both us and our canine companions! You’ll find it in a range of foods, including oats, mushrooms, yeast, and seaweed. Being soluble, beta glucan dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance inside the body. This is different to insoluble fibre, which our pets (and we) cannot digest.
Each variety of fibre has benefits for wellness, and you should try to include both in your pooch’s diet. For example, insoluble fibre helps to support your dog’s digestive health and keep their bowels moving smoothly. Soluble fibre, on the other hand, acts as a prebiotic and nourishes the good bacteria in your pup’s gut. It can also improve blood glucose control, which may lower the risk of your furry friend developing diabetes.(1)
Fibre additionally keeps pets feeling full for longer, which could discourage them from overeating. That’s useful for healthy weight management, which – of course – is important for many reasons. This is an especially relevant benefit of beta glucan for dogs who ask for extra treats!
So far, so good. It gets better though! Research suggests the benefits of beta glucan for dogs are even more impressive than those of other forms of fibre. Let’s dig into the details.
Beta glucan benefits for dogs: gut health
We mentioned that one benefit of soluble fibre like beta glucan for dogs is that it functions as a prebiotic. That means it promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut, while simultaneously inhibiting the spread of bad bacteria.
Your pet being full of bacteria might sound like a negative thing at first! However, there are many advantages to your pup having a diverse and flourishing gut microbiome. Most obviously, it keeps their digestive system healthy, reducing the likelihood of conditions like diarrhoea, IBS, and constipation. But it’s also important for the immune system, because about 70% of your pooch’s immune cells are located in their gut. We’ll talk more about how beta glucan for dogs can support immunity below.
Another digestion-related benefit of beta glucan for dogs is that it helps them absorb nutrients from their food more effectively. This is advantageous in all sorts of ways, because vitamins and minerals influence almost every aspect of our pet’s health.
What’s more, a healthy gut microbiome improves metabolism, prevents excess inflammation, and even enhances the health of the brain.(2) The latter is due to something called the gut-brain axis. Studies show that the bacteria in your pup’s gut affect their behaviour, as well as emotions like anxiety.(3) One reason for this is that many of the neurotransmitters which influence mood, such as serotonin, are produced in the gut as well as the brain. That means another benefit of beta glucan for dogs is that it could support their mental health. Interestingly, the same is true for us!
Beta glucan benefits for dogs: immunity support
Improving gut health isn’t the only way in which beta glucan for dogs can support immunity. Studies show this potent fibre also has more direct immunomodulatory effects. For example, it can stimulate certain types of immune cells, like macrophages and natural killer cells.(4) This could then enable your pet to fight off pathogens more effectively, protecting them against infections.
Another immunity-related benefit of beta glucan for dogs is that it can help to lower inflammation. As with humans, inflammation is a normal part of your pup’s immune response to irritation, injury, and infection. However, if it becomes chronic, it may damage healthy tissue and result in medical problems. Conditions such as arthritis, allergies, and IBD are all worsened by inflammation. Studies show that beta glucan can reduce markers of inflammation and inhibit the action of inflammatory cytokines, further supporting wellbeing.(5)
What’s more, beta glucan acts as an antioxidant, protecting your pup’s cells from free radical damage.(6) Known as oxidative stress, research links this damage to an impaired immune system and a wide range of harmful conditions. The antioxidant benefits of beta glucan for dogs could therefore include reducing their risk of developing such diseases. Decreasing oxidative stress could even help to stave off cognitive decline in older pups.
In addition to feeding your pet beta glucan for dogs, there are other ways to support their immune system. These include ensuring they get plenty of exercise, helping them to avoid stressful situations, and keeping their environment clean.
Beta glucan benefits for dogs: heart health
The final benefit of beta glucan for dogs that we’re going to focus on is cardiovascular health. Beta glucan can support your pup’s heart in several ways. First, as mentioned above, this powerful fibre has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Experts have linked chronic inflammation and oxidative stress to an increased risk of heart disease. As such, lowering them could help to keep your pet’s ticker in tip-top shape.
There’s more to the story though! Another cardiovascular benefit of beta glucan for dogs is that the fibre can reduce cholesterol levels in their blood.(7) One way in which it does so is by binding with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the gut. That prevents your pup’s body from absorbing them. In addition, beta glucan nourishes gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from fibre. SCFAs may help to reduce cholesterol production, further lessening the amount in your pet’s blood.
Why does lower cholesterol translate to a benefit of beta glucan for dogs? Well, if your pet’s cholesterol levels are too high, it can sometimes cause health problems. These include atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries), abdominal pain, seizures, and eye disorders. Although rare in pups, atherosclerosis could have serious consequences, including blood clots and heart attacks. So, if beta glucan can help to keep our pets’ cholesterol under control, it’s definitely worth considering.
Supporting cardiovascular health is a key benefit of beta glucan for dogs. However, there are other steps you should consider taking in order to keep your pooch’s heart in good shape. These include making sure they get plenty of exercise every day and ensuring they maintain a healthy weight.
How to add beta glucan to your dog’s diet
Now that we’ve been through the key benefits of beta glucan for dogs, let’s move on to more practical points. What’s the best way to give this potent fibre to your pup? The good news is that you don’t have to try and get your pet to take it in tablet form! Beta glucan is naturally present in lots of plant-based ingredients, which makes it easy to add to your pooch’s diet.
For example, you could try feeding your pup plain, cooked oats, as these are a fantastic source of beta glucan. Just remember to use water, not milk, when cooking them – and let them cool down before your pet tucks in. A small amount mixed into their normal food is preferable, as too much fibre can cause digestive upset. Another option is to add a little bit of cooked rice to your pooch’s meals. Again, it should be unseasoned, with no extra ingredients. We recommend giving your dog rice once or twice a week.
A third source of beta glucan for dogs is medicinal mushrooms. These are specific species of fungi that offer especially impressive health benefits – many of which are thanks to their high beta glucan content. The most convenient method is to mix a little dried mushroom powder into your pet’s wet food. We suggest feeding your pup 50-100mg of powder per 10kg of their body weight for optimal results. However, if your pooch is a fussy eater, you can start them off with less!
Which medicinal mushroom offers the most beta glucan benefits for dogs?
If you’re thinking of using medicinal mushrooms as a source of beta glucan for dogs, you have several choices. That’s because the fibre is present in all of them! However, you will find that some species contain a higher percentage than others. As an example, our cordyceps mushroom powder contains 48% beta glucan, while in our turkey tail it’s 22%. Bear in mind that these figures will vary depending on the specific functional fungi product too – not just the species.
So, all you have to do is pick the highest percentage, right? Not necessarily! Each variety of mushroom contains a unique blend of secondary metabolites and other key compounds. As such, they offer different health benefits in addition to those advantages of beta glucan for dogs discussed above. For instance, lion’s mane mushroom powder supports cognitive health, while cordyceps boosts your pet’s energy. Because of this, we recommend choosing the species that best suits your doggy’s overall health and wellness needs. They’ll enjoy the benefits of beta glucan for dogs whichever you go for!
How to feed your pup medicinal mushrooms safely
So, you’ve picked the mushroom you want to use to get the benefits of beta glucan for dogs. How do you ensure you give it to your pup safely? Here are a few pointers.
Before doing anything, speak to a vet. Every pet is different, and it’s important to confirm that mushrooms are a suitable option for yours. This is particularly relevant if your pup has an existing health condition or takes regular medication. The vet can make sure there won’t be any unwanted side effects or interactions from giving your dog functional fungi. On a similar note, you shouldn’t give mushrooms to puppies, or dogs who are pregnant or nursing. This is simply because there hasn’t yet been enough research to confirm that it’s safe to do so.
To ensure you give your pup the correct beta glucan dosage for dogs, check the product instructions carefully. Don’t feed them more than is advised – you can have too much of a good thing!
Another factor to bear in mind is that it’s best to give your pet medicinal mushrooms in cycles. So, for example, you could feed your pooch mushroom powder every day for eight weeks, then pause for a fortnight. This serves two main purposes. First, it helps prevent your pup from building up a tolerance to the ingredient. Second, it avoids overstimulating their immune system. All of which means they have the best chance of getting the maximum benefits of beta glucan for dogs.
How do I find good quality medicinal mushrooms for my dog?
It goes without saying that we want the best for our fluffy friends. And quality is especially relevant when it comes to functional foods like medicinal mushrooms. If you want your pup to enjoy the benefits of beta glucan for dogs, picking a high-end product is vital.
Now, you might be tempted to feed your pet a mushroom powder designed for human consumption. After all, those should have higher standards to conform to, right? Well, it’s not that simple. In fact, for safety reasons, you should only give your pup functional foods specifically made for animals.
So, how do you find top quality functional fungi for pets? First, look for products which are organic. Second, choose ones that don’t have any filler ingredients like artificial colourings, flavourings, or preservatives. They should be 100% pure mushroom. Third, go for companies which have their mushrooms independently tested for beta glucan and other key nutrients. If they don’t disclose these figures, you can’t be sure your pet will get the maximum benefits of beta glucan for dogs. And isn’t that what your cherished canine companion deserves?
