Pet Cancer Prevention Tips

Dos and don’ts

November is national Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Many people don’t realize that their beloved pets are just as likely to get cancer as humans are. Unhealthy processed foods and environmental factors are most often the cause of tumours developing in our pets’ body. While it’s more common for dogs to get cancer, but that also means, that cats can, too, and because cats tend to mask illnesses, it’s harder for us to see if our cat is sick. But the signs are the same in both species: tiredness, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, coughing or evidence of pain. 

What is more important, however, is trying to prevent this terrible disease from taking hold in your pet. Here are some dos and don’ts for keeping our dogs in good health.

Food

Dos

CC image courtesy of photofarmer on Flickr

• Give your dog dark green vegetables (e.g., broccoli, asparagus, lettuce) a few times a week.
• TAGS recommends natural dry foods that have the AAFCO guarantee along with vitamins E and C.
• Add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil to your dog’s food (it’s high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which help maintain a healthy immune system).

• Enrich your dog’s diet with antioxidants such as a tablespoon of ground flax seed.
•  Add coconut oil to your dog’s food (it contains fatty acids).

• Add a small amount of minced garlic to your dog’s dinner (great cancer-inhibiting element).

• If you prefer to make your dog’s food yourself, then be sure to use organic ingredients that are free from pesticides and drug residues.

Don’ts

• Don’t give your dog dry foods that contain artificial flavours or artificial colours.

• Don’t feed your dog grain-based food, because dogs have a hard time digesting grains, especially uncooked ones, and a regular diet  of them can lead to serious problems like organ failure or cancer.

Environment and Habits 

Dos

• Consider making your lawn and garden organic.

• Keep your dog in good condition by engaging him or her in sports or other activities.

• Vaccinate your dog with only the necessary vaccines (vaccines stimulate the dog’s immune system in a way that can cause fibrosarcoma).

• Install a water filter to avoid pets’ consuming fluorides.

• Massage your dog from the feet toward the heart to stimulate circulation.

Don’ts

• Don’t smoke in the house or around your dog – second-hand smoke is as dangerous for animals as it is for humans.

• Don’t walk your dog behind idling cars or trucks. Gas and diesel emissions will be picked up by your dog’s nose a lot faster than they are picked up by ours.

• Don’t let your dog sniff chemically treated grass.

• Don’t use household chemicals, especially if the label states “Keep away from children and pets.”