Functional Fungi in Animal Feed & Pet Products
Explore mushroom and fungal ingredients in pet supplements and livestock feed, including research status, formulation and feed regulation.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Functional Fungi in Animal Feed & Pet Products
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medicinal & Functional Fungi. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course explores how fungal ingredients are used in animal nutrition, from yeast and mushroom beta-glucans in livestock feed to supplements and treats for dogs, cats and horses. You will learn about the types of fungal ingredients available, pet supplement formats and palatability, the current research in companion animals and livestock, and the regulations governing feed additives and pet food in Europe and beyond.
Pet owners increasingly look for products similar to those they use themselves, and livestock producers seek feed ingredients that support animal performance and welfare. Feed formulators, pet brands and veterinary professionals need to understand what fungal ingredients can realistically offer, how to formulate with them and how to stay within the strict rules on feed claims. The course draws on case studies of real product development. In your final project you will develop a product concept for a pet or livestock product containing a fungal ingredient, including formulation, palatability strategy, evidence review and regulatory pathway.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in medicinal fungi, useful in areas such as pet food and supplements, animal feed, veterinary services, aquaculture.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Explore mushroom and fungal ingredients in pet supplements and livestock feed, including research status, formulation and feed regulation.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungal Ingredients in Animal Nutrition; Yeast and Mushroom Beta-Glucans in Feed.
- Put them into practice: Pet Supplement Formats and Palatability; Research in Companion Animals and Livestock.
- Apply everything to a real case: Feed Additive and Pet Food Regulation; Product Development Case Studies.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Select fungal ingredients suited to pet or livestock applications.
- Formulate palatable pet supplements with mushroom ingredients.
- Summarise animal research on fungal ingredients accurately.
- Identify the regulatory category and pathway for animal products.
- Write compliant claims for pet and feed products.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Feed formulators, pet brands and veterinary professionals.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of animal nutrition or product development is helpful. No equipment beyond a computer is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Feed formulator working with functional ingredients
- Product developer at a pet supplement brand
- Technical sales specialist for fungal feed ingredients
- Veterinary professional advising on supplement choices
- Regulatory assistant for pet food and feed
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungal Ingredients in Animal Nutrition | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Yeast and Mushroom Beta-Glucans in Feed | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Pet Supplement Formats and Palatability | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Research in Companion Animals and Livestock | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Feed Additive and Pet Food Regulation | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Product Development Case Studies | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Yeast, mushroom and mycelium ingredients
- Fungal protein and fermentation products
- Species suitability for animals
- Glucan sources for feed
- Inclusion levels and processing
- Research in poultry, pigs and aquaculture
- Chews, powders and liquids
- Taste acceptance in dogs and cats
- Equine supplement formats
- Study designs in veterinary research
- Evidence in companion animals
- Evidence in livestock
- EU feed additive authorisation
- Complementary feed and pet food rules
- Claims for animal products
- Pet supplement case study
- Livestock feed case study
- Lessons for product launches
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A pet or livestock product concept containing a fungal ingredient, with formulation, evidence review and regulatory pathway.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as evidence reviews and regulatory classification tasks. The final product concept is reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Medicinal Fungi school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Functional Fungi in Animal Feed & Pet Products?
Basic knowledge of animal nutrition or product development is helpful. No equipment beyond a computer is required.
How is Functional Fungi in Animal Feed & Pet Products taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as evidence reviews and regulatory classification tasks. The final product concept is reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A pet or livestock product concept containing a fungal ingredient, with formulation, evidence review and regulatory pathway.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Functional Fungi in Animal Feed & Pet Products?
The natural next step is Diploma in Functional & Medicinal Mushrooms.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).