Over the last few years, medicinal mushrooms have become incredibly popular for their vast array of health benefits. Valued for centuries for their therapeutic properties, you can now find many mushroom supplements for people and pets.
One such favoured mushroom is chaga. Chaga mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) are known for their potential health benefits, particularly their super-high antioxidant levels. But, they also contain high levels of oxalates, which can pose risks for animals prone to kidney or bladder issues.
We often get questions about chaga and oxalates, and if it’s the right mushroom for animals with these types of issues. It’s an important question, so we thought it was time to write about it!
What are Oxalates?
Oxalates (or oxalic acid) are naturally occurring compounds found in many plant-based foods, including chaga mushrooms. They’re considered anti-nutrients because they can bind to minerals like calcium and magnesium in the digestive tract, forming insoluble crystals that the body cannot absorb. This can reduce the availability of these essential minerals and, in some cases, contribute to kidney stones, particularly in animals prone to calcium oxalate stones.
Oxalates are present in a variety of foods, including spinach, beet greens, rhubarb, almonds, and sweet potatoes.
Oxalates are mainly a concern for dogs and cats because they can contribute to calcium oxalate stones in the kidneys or bladder, particularly in those who are prone to these issues or currently deal with them.
These stones are more common in dogs than cats, especially in certain breeds prone to stone formation, such as:
- Dogs: Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, Bichon Frises, and Shih Tzus.
- Cats: Breeds like Burmese, Persian, and Himalayan cats may be at higher risk.
Symptoms of oxalate stones in pets include:
- Frequent urination
- Blood in urine
- Straining to urinate
- Discomfort or pain
- Licking the urinary area excessively
If left untreated, oxalate stones can lead to urinary blockages, which are a medical emergency.
Should You Give Your Pet Chaga?
Chaga is valued in holistic pet health for its antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. In fact, it has the second-highest antioxidant levels on the planet. That’s why we love it for fighting harmful free radicals and oxidative stress.
However, as mentioned, its high oxalate content makes it risky for certain pets, especially those with:
- A history of kidney or bladder stones
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Urinary tract issues
If your pet currently deals with or has a history of these issues, we wouldn’t recommend chaga mushrooms as part of the rotation.
Our chaga products have all been tested for their oxalate content because we know this is a concern. While some chaga supplements on the market measure as high as 100mg/g, our powders have been tested and ranked very low overall for their oxalate content (between 6-12mg/g in Vital Defense and 1.39mg per ml for our regular chaga tincture).
Still, even at these low levels, we don’t recommend it for animals with a history of kidney issues, just in case.
Instead, if you’re looking for immune-boosting or anti-inflammatory alternatives, consider:
- Turkey Tail Mushrooms – Great for immune support, with lower oxalates.
- Reishi Mushrooms – Anti-inflammatory, supports kidney health.
- Cordyceps Mushrooms – Beneficial for respiratory and kidney function.
For healthy pets, the use of properly prepared chaga supplements (like liquid extracts, which may have lower oxalate levels) can be very valuable. As we said, it’s a really powerful antioxidant. And if you’re worried, there are ways to reduce oxalate absorption, including:
- Pair with Calcium: Feeding calcium-rich foods with high-oxalate foods can help prevent oxalates from binding in the kidneys.
- Cook Certain Vegetables: Boiling reduces oxalate levels in foods like spinach and sweet potatoes.
- Stay Hydrated: Water helps flush out excess oxalates. Always ensure the bowl is filled (you can even add water to food if it’s on the drier side).
Should you be worried about the oxalate levels in chaga? If your pet has kidney issues, yes, you should stay away from it. Instead, choose another medicinal mushroom or an antioxidant like phytoplankton. It’s just not worth contributing to the risk, even at low levels. Safety first!
