When your fur companion is diagnosed with cancer, a modified diet is one of the best steps you can take to support their health, relieve uncomfortable symptoms, and ultimately fight the progression of the disease.
When Sasha had four small tumors removed from her body, the shaved hair grew back very slowly. The holistic vet explained that her immune system was so compromised, her body didn’t have the resources to fight cancer and support hair growth at the same time. He suggested boosting her immunity with natural ingredients containing powerful cancer-fighting properties. This meant adjusting her diet and learning about the important role of nutrition.
Why is Diet Important When Your Dog Has Cancer?
Think about your dog’s diet as their first line of defense against cancer. It provides the body with what it needs to improve energy, alleviate nausea, and hopefully slow the progression of cancer. It is not a cure, but it can provide pets with much-needed relief or a few more happy weeks or months.
Start By Eliminating Carbohydrates
Because cancer thrives on sugars and carbohydrates, the dog cancer diet is high in protein, healthy fats, and amino acids. The purpose is to strengthen their immune systems by moving away from a predominantly kibble-based diet.
The good news is that the ingredients to fight cancer in pets are irresistible to most dogs and encourage an appetite when they’re feeling ill. It is also freely available, so all you need to do is pop down to the local store to stock up!
What You Need to Know Before Starting the Dog Cancer Diet
The cancer diet is intended for all pets who have fought or are living with cancer. It is also beneficial for pets receiving chemotherapy and even those recovering from illnesses. If your furbaby is undergoing chemotherapy, consult with your veterinarian before changing their diet. This way, you can avoid any interference with treatment.
The transition to a raw diet should also be gradual to prevent digestive upset and a very flatulent pooch!
The Importance of a Specialized Cancer Diet for Pets
Powerful nutrition can provide remarkable results for both people and pets when they’re ill. Superfoods for dogs as well as cats will boost their immunity while slowing the progression of the disease. It can also go a long way to improving the symptoms associated with cancer. Benefits include brighter eyes, softer skin, and a shinier coat.
Reducing a kibble diet and incorporating raw foods is an important part of the cancer diet for pets. Because kibble is high in carbs and low in protein, it feeds the cancer and doesn’t strengthen the immune system.
I understand that moving to a raw or kibble-free diet is a bit overwhelming, but I found the Epi4Dogs Raw Diet quite helpful. It breaks down crucial food groups, ensuring that your pet’s basic nutritional needs are met. The Epi Raw Diet is not a cancer diet; however, it offers nutritional balance that pets of any age need when going raw!
To help you and your pet transition, let’s explore the best cancer-fighting foods for dogs, cats, and even people.
The Best Foods for Pets with Cancer
Protein
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Oily Fish (Sardines and salmon are great choices)
- Ostrich
- Beef
- Venison
- Offal (organ meat, such as liver and kidneys, is a real treat)
- Eggs
How to Prepare Proteins
Uncooked meats are scrumptious for your fur companions, but if you aren’t comfortable with a raw diet, you can introduce semi-cooked meat. I kept certain cuts of meat, such as lean beef and ostrich, rare. Chicken gizzards, hearts, and breasts were cooked by boiling, frying, or steaming them.
For dogs with skin allergies or digestive sensitivities to poultry, consider fish as an alternative protein.
Whether served raw or cooked, always base portions on your pet’s weight.
Vegetables
- Steamed broccoli (only in small portions – see below)
- Steamed spinach
- Sweet potato
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Carrots (don’t feed too often)
- Peas
- Kale
- Green beans
How to Prepare Vegetables
Broccoli
Broccoli is an excellent superfood for cancer. A broccoli and cancer study by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State revealed that the phytochemicals in broccoli target and destroy cancer cells.
While broccoli should be part of the dog cancer diet, it must be fed in small portions. The broccoli florets contain isothiocyanates, which have cancer-fighting properties but are also toxic. Feeding too many florets will cause gastrointestinal upset and make your dog or cat very ill, so prepare less when in doubt. It should never be more than 10% of your pet’s total meal.
Spinach
Spinach is a powerful source of vitamins and iron. If you have a fussy pet that won’t eat greens, finely chop the spinach leaves and blend them into the meat.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in vitamins A, K1, C, and B6, but they are also high in sugar, so they are best fed in moderation. If your pet is experiencing constipation, carrots and pumpkin are excellent sources of fiber. Carrots can be served raw or boiled and should be finely chopped or sliced to make them easier to consume.
Squash, Pumpkin & Sweet Potato
Squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are suitable for dogs and cats affected by constipation. Boil, steam, or bake these vegetables until they are soft, and serve without the skin.
The Best Foods for Administering Medicine and Supplements
While some dogs and cats will easily accept a pill, others are very fussy and masters at sniffing out a capsule hidden in their food! Sasha and Ice were fairly good at taking medication, but Blueberry would use her teeth to “comb” through a slice of meat or cheese to find the pill! I had to get creative and hide her capsules in cooked liver, a meat piece, or a sausage roll. If she still spat the pill out, I would cover it in peanut butter, push it as far back into her mouth as I could, and keep her mouth closed until she swallowed.
Internal organs are soft meats that make it easier to disguise a pill, and the smell alone will grab their attention!
Treating Dogs with Allergies
Sasha was sensitive to poultry, herbs, and spices, which often led to allergic rashes and digestive upset. She frequently suffered from loose stools, so I fed her a fish and potato kibble three times per week, and every other day, she received a meat and vegetable dish. Her meals also contained natural supplements to boost the immune system.
As every allergy is unique, research into what works for your allergy-prone pet and slow introductions to new foods can help you monitor and manage uncomfortable symptoms.
Supplements
Salmon Oil
Salmon oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats are known to reduce inflammation and support tumor shrinkage. For senior dogs, it offers the benefits of joint support and a beautiful coat. Salmon oil is also easier for dogs to digest compared to flaxseed oil.
Dosage
The recommended dose is 1000 mg per 20 lbs of your pet’s weight. It is simpler to use a gel capsule so you can monitor the dose, and you can snip the end of the capsule while emptying the contents onto the food. It has a strong fishy smell, so try to avoid contact with your hands and clothes!
Antioxidants
For dogs living with cancer, a high-quality antioxidant will boost the immune system and support cell repair. I used an alpha-lipoic antioxidant as recommended by a holistic vet. You can read more about lipoic acid here.
Dosage
One capsule served twice a day, emptied onto food, is ideal for large to giant breed dogs. Small dogs of below 30 lbs or 15 kg can start with a quarter capsule, increased to half a capsule.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition because of its immune-boosting properties. But don’t add citrus fruits to your dog’s diet! Dogs and cats cannot digest regular forms of vitamin C. They can only digest buffered or water-soluble ascorbic acid in capsule or powder form, which you can easily add to their food.
Dosage
Ascorbic acid must be introduced gradually to avoid causing gastrointestinal upset. Start with half the dose based on their weight and increase only once you find that your pet can tolerate the product. For a weight of 100-110 lbs, you can introduce 1-2 capsules daily with food. Smaller dogs can benefit from a pinch of ascorbic acid.
Always look for signs of gastrointestinal upset when you add supplements. Reduce or quit the product if symptoms such as nausea or mild diarrhea develop.
Antacids for Mast Cell Cancer
Mast cell cancer releases histamines in the body that lead to high levels of acidity and the formation of stomach ulcers and digestive problems over time. The acidity is best controlled with the neutralizing properties of antacids, which go a long way to preventing painful stomach ulcers.
If your dog is diagnosed with mast cell cancer, ask your vet for an antacid, or you can use an alkaline powder by adding it to their drinking water. For dogs that don’t want to drink water with the powder added to it, an antacid capsule from the vet is best.
The Best Foods for the Cancer Diet
Cartilage, raw bones (avoid smoked or cooked bones that can splinter), healthy fats such as oily fish, and internal organs are great additions to the cancer diet for dogs and cats. Many pet owners also add fruits such as apple and pear slices to daily meals, which are great sources of fiber but high in sugar. Try feeding fruits as treats and always in moderation.
Ask your vet to prepare a vitamin tincture for your pet, which is not only beneficial for cancer but also for those recovering from illnesses.
The dog cancer diet is an affordable way to support the body and boost the immune system of pets living with cancer. It is also a delicious alternative to kibble! If your pet has an off day, the aroma of chicken livers or a hearty broth will instantly perk them up. Be sure to add supplements, such as full-spectrum CBD for pets, to maximize the nutritional benefits.
You can also discuss dietary options with a holistic vet. They can advise on nutrition specific to your pet’s needs.