Mushrooms are not all created equal

[Diggie's Friend]

Beyond the issue of many mushrooms being toxic (inedible), a compound in Oyster mushrooms has been found to raise potassium too high; and another compound is also suspect of causing toxicity. Given this was by way of a concentrate IV, it is still a concern given other sources included in the diet are higher in potassium, as this one could cause the level of potassium in the blood to be overtopped into toxicity. This is especially a concern in older rodents, for older kidneys do not do well to handle potassium as they when young.

Phosphorus levels in mushrooms are also a concern on this same account; for since many are highly inverted in Ca:P ratio, though not all edible sources are. This supported by research in female rats that found a somewhat higher ratio of Ca:P to be needful to support optimum bone density and health, than the ratio known to best support bone health ih juvenile rats.

[Diggie's Friend]

More studies on Mushrooms/Fungi

Mushrooms vary in pH from highly acidic to highly alkaline. Choosing those of mid value should be the aim.

Oregon Mushroom carries a variety of dried edible mushrooms; the Chanterelles and Morels are perhaps the best species.

I like the ground mushroom powder as you can measure it easily.

https://www.oregonmushrooms.com/c-1-dried-mushrooms.aspx

[Diggie's Friend]

https://www.oregonmushrooms.com/c-31-chanterelle-mushrooms.aspx

https://www.oregonmushrooms.com/c-41-dried-morel-mushrooms-wild-usa.aspx

https://www.oregonmushrooms.com/c-105-yellowfeet-mushrooms.aspx

[Buddy]

Hi, does anyone know which mushrooms are good for squirrels? We found some morels and was wondering if I should give some to Buddy?

[Diggie's Friend]

Some mushrooms have toxic look alikes which mimic the appearance of non toxic mushrooms. Just knowing the name and general appearance isn't going to help as far as what is safe to feed for this reason. This is why I recommend, "Oregon Mushroom" as the go to source for wild harvested mushrooms, as they are long time experts that know the good ones from the bad ones.

[DanniCristina]

Some mushrooms have toxic look alikes which mimic the appearance of non toxic mushrooms. Just knowing the name and general appearance isn't going to help as far as what is safe to feed for this reason. This is why I recommend, "Oregon Mushroom" as the go to source for wild harvested mushrooms, as they are long time experts that know the good ones from the bad ones.

Can we give a dried shiitake mushroom slice? I have been giving her fresh baby Bella mushrooms one per day and I’m not even sure now if I should be?

[Diggie's Friend]

Can we give a dried shiitake mushroom slice?

This is a side by side comparison table of the nutrients found in various edible mushrooms

http://www.veganpeace.com/nutrient_information/nutrient_content_tables/display_tables/mushrooms/mushrooms.htm

This link provides more limited data on the
Shiitake mushroom.
http://www.nutritionvalue.org/Mushrooms%2C_raw%2C_shiitake_nutritional_value.htm l

It looks like the Chanterelle mushoom is higher in calcium and lower in Phosphorus than the
Shiitake mushrooms . Perhaps this is because it is the data of them cooked. This mushroom is very alkaline, which gives it a bitter taste.
Chanterelle mushrooms are acidic.

There is a reason apparently that
shiitake mushroom should be cooked prior to eating them.

[B]Agaratine, a natural toxin found in mushrooms that is lowered by cooking.

This short Abstract has some interesting information as to the toxicity of concentrated Agaratine found in mice. (poor mice!) For this reason this mushroom is considered potentially toxic when consumed raw likely at a higher level of consumption.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2132000/

Read about Chanterelle mushooms; they are noted to have anti cancer properties.

https://ayushology.com/health-benefits-of-vegetables/health-benefits-of-chanterelle-mushroom/

In my research based diet I went with the Chanterelle Mushoom for its aroma, taste and acidity, and no gills that trap worms and their eggs.

This mushroom can be added to moist foods in support of filling out the nutrient complement of the diet.

In powder form, a little of the dried powder, (1/8 Tsp.) added to the diet daily, goes a long ways.

The small (4 oz.) packet of dried Chanterelle powder ($20.oo) is available at, "Oregon Mushoom".

https://www.oregonmushrooms.com/p-118-dried-usa-wild-chanterelle-powder.aspx

HAVE FUN LEARNING; I ALWAYS DO! Diggie's Friend

[DanniCristina]

This is a side by side comparison table of the nutrients found in various edible mushrooms

http://www.veganpeace.com/nutrient_information/nutrient_content_tables/display_tables/mushrooms/mushrooms.htm

This link provides more limited data on the .
http://www.nutritionvalue.org/Mushrooms%2C_raw%2C_shiitake_nutritional_value.htm l

It looks like the Chanterelle mushoom is higher in calcium and lower in Phosphorus than the . Perhaps this is because it is the data of them cooked. This mushroom is very alkaline, which gives it a bitter taste.
Chanterelle mushrooms are acidic.

There is a reason apparently that should be cooked prior to eating them.

[B]Agaratine, a natural toxin found in mushrooms that is lowered by cooking.

This short Abstract has some interesting information as to the toxicity of concentrated Agaratine found in mice. (poor mice!) For this reason this mushroom is considered potentially toxic when consumed raw likely at a higher level of consumption.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2132000/

Read about Chanterelle mushooms; they are noted to have anti cancer properties.

https://ayushology.com/health-benefits-of-vegetables/health-benefits-of-chanterelle-mushroom/

In my research based diet I went with the Chanterelle Mushoom for its aroma, taste and acidity, and no gills that trap worms and their eggs.

This mushroom can be added to moist foods in support of filling out the nutrient complement of the diet.

In powder form, a little of the dried powder, (1/8 Tsp.) added to the diet daily, goes a long ways.

The small (4 oz.) packet of dried Chanterelle powder ($20.oo) is available at, "Oregon Mushoom".

https://www.oregonmushrooms.com/p-118-dried-usa-wild-chanterelle-powder.aspx

HAVE FUN LEARNING; I ALWAYS DO! Diggie's Friend

Thank you for all this amazing information!! I honestly feel horrified now- she gets one raw baby Bella mushroom a day… and the phosphorus is SO high! I am going to stop these immediately. I will go to the website you put on here to look at their items.
I feel really bad now. Murphy enjoys sweet potatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, mini grape tomatoes, raw spinach leaves at times, romaine lettuce, butternut squash, kale, and most fruits- but she only gets two tiny pieces a day of some of them such a a grape, strawberry, tiny piece of apple, blueberry. Should any of these not be fed to her? I did see the food chart on the Henry’s sight, but is there a good daily diet that would be more specific to what people feed their squirrels every day? Just such as a guideline or an example of what their squirrels eat? She also gets 3 Henrys blocks per day.

[Diggie's Friend]

Yes they are; yet the Chanterelle mushroom has the closest ratio of all the kinds of mushrooms noted in the mushroom data chart. So don't be too upset; you’ve learned which is the best mushroom to support healthy nutrition in the diet. I recommend the dried mushroom powder because of its long shelf life, and that it is easy to measure that keeps the level of phosphorus this mushroom provides to a minimum.

This product of miniature measuring Teaspoons supports these tiny measures including the actual measure noted on the handles.

https://www.amazon.com/Morgenhaan-Stainless-Mini-Measuring-Spoons/dp/B085LHRX4D/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=miniature+teaspoons+measuring+spoons&qid=1629133828&sr=8-16