Mushroom Cats
Mushroom Cats! is an adorable card game about a mushroom hunt gone awry. Players compete to gather, steal, and magically transmute the most valuable collection of mushrooms they can before the picking is done and a winner is declared.
Mushroom Cats
This tale starts with Ellen Jacobson, an amateur mushroom hunter in Colorado. As she was cooking up a bolete mushroom, her cat Cashew started brushing against her legs. She put some of the mushrooms in a bowl, and Cashew gobbled them up. "He didn't like them raw," she told The Salt. "He only liked them cooked."
The notion that a cat might crave mushrooms isn't a big surprise to Gary Beauchamp, director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. For decades, he has been studying how different species sense flavor. Cats have been a big focus of his research.
In 2005, Beauchamp and his colleagues proved that cats, tigers and other felines can't taste sweetness because they lack a functional gene for sweetness taste receptors. But they do have genes for the receptors that detect the umami flavor of a wide array of amino acids in protein. So Cashew and any other mushroom-craving cats are really on a hunt for protein, not for fungi, he says.
When Beauchamp's paper was published in 2005, he says, "We got a ton of mail saying, 'Yes, but my cat likes sweets.' " He thinks that those cats are responding to the fat or protein in cake and ice cream, not the sugar. And he thinks humans are probably deluding themselves if they think they can taste more flavors than animals.
But veterinarians say that neither dogs nor cats should eat mushrooms, and the North American Mycological Association warns that both dogs and cats are attracted by the odor of wild mushrooms and can be poisoned as a result.
The Salt cottoned onto this story thanks to Jef Akst, who wrote about Ellen Jacobson and her mushroom-craving cats in the current edition of The Scientist. She had found the story thanks to two researchers who had seen Jacobson's article in a mycological newsletter out in Colorado and written about it in a scientific journal.
Introduce a bit of whimsy to your lapel with this playful Mushroom Cat! A cute white kitty crossed with a mushroom for a unique, happy look, this enamel pin will bring bright vibes to any outfit. Everyone will be feline the love!by London, UK artist: Sarah Glitter- Hard enamel pin on gold metal- Double posts with pink rubber clutches- Made in United Kingdom- 1.8"
These plant compounds can cross the protective blood-brain barrier to provide lion's mane mushroom the ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production. NGF is a neuropeptide that helps maintain neurons, which are the cells responsible for helping your brain process and transmit information.
Due to the neurotrophic factors found in lion's mane, this mushroom can offer support to dogs and cats with dementia or cognitive decline as they age.(3), (4), (5), (6).
In addition, aromatic compounds found in lion's mane, called Hericerin A and hericerin, have shown anticancer activity(9),(10) that may offer benefits to dogs and cats.
It seems nervous system disorders are becoming more common in our dogs and cats. While there are many potential causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation could be a major contributing factor.
Amycenone is a nootropic (boost brain performance) compound found in lion's mane mushroom that has been shown in studies to have antidepressant effects(11). This compound has the potential to benefit those dogs and cats with depression or anxiety related to inflammation in their bodies.
Ulcerations are fairly common in our dogs and cats and are often caused by two major factors: overgrowth of a bacteria called H. pylori (often related to imbalances caused by poor diet) and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach caused by medications, most commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The results of studies suggest that polysaccharide compounds in lion's mane mushroom can protect against gastric ulcers and even reduce the size of ulcerated areas(12) potentially benefiting dogs and cats with this condition.
Risk factors for heart disease include obesity and excess levels of triglycerides and cholesterol circulating in the blood. Research is showing that lion's mane mushroom has the potential to mitigate some of these risk factors to benefit our dogs and cats
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body loses the ability to control blood sugar levels. In dogs and cats this condition is often related to a high-carbohydrate, processed pet food diet. This type of diet is not healthy for a canine or feline and can lead to insulin resistance that results in blood sugar levels being consistently elevated.
Due to lion's mane mushroom's antioxidant and neuroprotective attributes, this mushroom can also benefit those animals with diabetes by helping to alleviate diabetic neuropathy(16).
Lion's mane mushroom contains significant levels of antioxidants. One study supports this by showing lion's mane had the third highest antioxidant activity when compared with 14 different mushroom species(17).
Research has found that lion's mane can offer our dogs and cats neuroprotective factors that may help with cognitive decline and help repair damaged neurons more quickly to benefit those with neurodegenerative conditions.
This adaptogenic mushroom has also shown benefits to support a healthy immune response, to help those animals with anxiety or depression, to repair gastric ulcerations and even help those dogs and cats with heart disease and diabetes.
*These lion's mane mushrooms are grown on organic, gluten-free oats. Because many of these mushrooms grow on wood in the wild, the oats are kept intact with the hull, so the mushrooms have something challenging to break down.
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi. There are currently over 10,000 known species of mushrooms, and many are likely yet to be discovered. Edible mushrooms are widely eaten and enjoyed around the world. Some species are also prized for their powerful medicinal properties.
Edible mushrooms are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, including antioxidants and digestive enzymes. Some species of mushrooms also assist the immune system and support healthy cellular activity.
It's important to note that only certain types of mushrooms support the physical and mental wellbeing of an animal. In fact, some mushrooms are highly toxic and can cause poisoning in pets. Wondering which types of mushrooms are safe and healthy for pets? In the next section of this article we'll highlight a few of our favorites.
Shiitake, Reishi, Cordyceps, Maitake, Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, and Chaga mushrooms are seven of the most beneficial mushrooms for pets. Let's take a look at a few of the key benefits of each of these safe and healthy mushrooms.
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are the best-studied of the mushroom supplements. They are native to East Asia and are known as the "Elixir of Life" in Japan. Shiitake mushrooms are rich in protein. They also provide a spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, which complements your pet's normal diet.
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) are known as the "Mushroom of Immortality". They are a mainstay of traditional Chinese medicine for pets and have been used for millennia by shamans and healers around the world.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa) means "Dancing Mushroom" in Japanese. These potent mushrooms support healthy cellular activity. They also support the immune system, maintain healthy liver function, and help support blood sugar levels within normal ranges.
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushrooms are named after their unique appearance. Other common names include sheep's head mushroom, monkey head mushroom, bearded tooth mushroom, and pom pom mushroom.
The Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) mushroom is named after its multicolored patterns which resemble the rings on a wild turkey's tail. The mushroom can support the immune system and healthy cellular activity.
A recent study by the Veterinary School at the University of Penn State demonstrated that Turkey Tail mushrooms can support pets with hemangiosarcoma (a common form of cancer in dogs). Turkey Tail mushrooms also contain ingredients to support a health urinary tract and support healthy digestion.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) mushrooms are known as the "Gift from God". These beneficial mushrooms are high in antioxidants, B vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. They also support healthy cellular activity and immune system function. Chaga mushrooms may be especially beneficial for pets with allergies and autoimmune diseases. They can also be used to support the normal healthy function of pets with diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
Feeding your pet mushroom supplements can be a great way to help maintain the general health of all ages and breeds. Please take care to feed safe and healthy mushrooms for dogs and cats. It's important never to feed raw mushrooms as they are difficult to digest and may be toxic to pets.
When you think of mushrooms, you may first consider their culinary use. And your dog has probably already eaten them off the kitchen floor. But this thought may leave you questioning: What mushroom species are okay to give to my pet? Are they safe? While not every species is meant to be consumed, there are many species that are edible and can provide tremendous benefits for your pet.
Om Mushroom offers supplements created from functional, whole food, organic mushrooms that have life-changing health benefits. Our sister company, Mushroom Matrix, offers organic mushroom powder supplements designed with your pet's health in mind. If you're looking to take advantage of the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, visit Mushroom Matrix. 041b061a72