November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, making this a very timely read!

Cancer is scary and prevalent, not only in humans but in pets too. Thinking that cancer isn’t preventable or curable is a pretty nihilistic and cynical approach. So, for Pet Cancer Awareness Month, we decided to look into how we can try to prevent cancer in our pets through a proper diet.

There is a ton of information about this available out there. Some credible, some not so much.

There is, however, some consensus on what a cancer prevention diet looks like for a pet. 

So what are the most commonly agreed-upon concepts on this type of preventative diet?

Low Carbs, High Protein, and Good Fats

Research on every kind of cancer is still ongoing, but it’s well known that many types of cancer cells thrive on high fructose fruits, the sugars in carbohydrates, and starchy veggies. 

Most cancer cells cannot feed on good fats, thus a preventative diet involves keeping a pet’s good fats and protein high while maintaining low carbohydrate content. This ideally means keeping off traditional carb-based grain kibbles and switching to more whole-foods based foods such as the Pure range of cat and dog food by Avantis.

One in five cats will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. Just like with people, some cancers are more common than others. Fortunately, with treatment, many cats can continue to live quality lives after a cancer diagnosis. Regardless of the cancer type, palliative treatments and pain management are always options to help prolong the quality of life for as long as possible-Flint Animal Cancer Center

Here’s a general suggested breakdown:

• Dogs: 50% protein , 50% veggies (dark leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and green beans are good choices)

• Cats: 80% protein, 20% veggies

• Sources of Omega-3, 6, and 9

So, How Can One Achieve These Diet Goals?

Ideally, the most cancer-preventative and healthy way is feeding pets home-prepared meals using whole, raw, organic foods. However, this isn’t feasible for many people. Frozen raw, freeze dried, dehydrated pet food is another viable option. 

There are also some high-quality wet canned pet foods, like the Petcool brand of wet pet food for cats and dogs by Avantis, that will do the trick. 

Warning: If a pet is undergoing chemotherapy treatment or is immunosuppressed for any other reason, they should not be fed a raw diet.

Sources Of Good Fats And Other Add-Ins

• Milk Thistle (200 mg per 10 pounds, daily)

• Flax oil (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds daily)

• Coconut oil (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds daily--might have to start with smaller dose and work up)

• Olive oil (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds daily)

• Turmeric (less than 1 tablespoon daily)

• Fish oil (1000 mg per 10-20 pounds daily)

• Chlorella

• Garlic (1/2 clove for dogs under 40 pounds and 1 clove for dogs over 40 pounds. Cats should not consume garlic.)

• Spirulina

A Note About Water

The water in certain areas may contain more toxins than you realize, posing a great risk to both humans and pets alike. Over time, a buildup of chemicals can cause serious health problems, including cancer.

To combat this, filtered water that is changed frequently can be a great solution. Also, be sure to use ceramic or glass bowls to avoid leaching of toxins from plastic into drinking water. That means store-bought water in plastic bottles is also no-no.

Approximately 1 in 4 dogs will, at some stage in their life, develop neoplasia. Almost half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer - American Veterinary Medical Association

More Advice;

• Avoid harmful preservatives

• Avoid obesity because it creates inflammation, which could lead to the formation of tumours. Keeping pets’ weight in check is vital in keeping cancer at bay

• There are many different supplements available in the market which offer great sources of general health support. 

They say prevention is better than cure. And, as much as one cannot be prepared for every eventuality, prevention is much easier than treatment. 

Surgery can be curative for most tumours. In about 10 to 20% of the cases, the tumour will most likely than not have spread at the time of diagnosis. However, tumours that have not yet spread or damage the cells of the bone marrow make for an excellent prognosis. 

In case of damage to the cells of the bone marrow the cancer can be fatal despite therapy. In most cases though, tumour removal usually improves the condition in two to three weeks. 

The prognosis for tumours that have spread varies. It depends on;

1. The location

2. The type of tumour 

3. The treatment options

Disclaimer: Always consult a vet before changing your pet’s diet. If you suspect that your pet has cancer, talk to a pet health expert .

To stock up on pet food that provides good fats and high protein while maintaining low carb content like our Pure range of cat and dog food by Avantis, visit our website or click here and give us some information about your business and we will get back to you.