Cancer Prevention for Pets Bear DE

Practitioner's Corner—About Pets: Diet for Cancer Prevention

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By Donna Kelleher, D.V.M.

Q: I know of so many dogs that have died of cancer. What can I do to give mine a good chance of avoiding it?

A: Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, but in my experience, those who are fed homemade, whole-foods diets tend not to get it as often as dogs that eat commercial kibble. We know vegetables are packed with cancer-fighting nutrients that help prevent cancer in people, so it makes sense that they would help animals, too. It will take some extra effort on your part to feed them to your dog, but it’s worth it if you’re really concerned.

Try grinding up cooked beets, carrots, squash, or broccoli in the food processor, and mixing this with hard-boiled eggs, a small amount of meat, a gluten-free grain like quinoa, and some tofu. Introduce the new foods gradually, substituting a quarter-cup of the homemade for commercial food each day until you’ve completely replaced it. Ease off if diarrhea develops.

An important supplement for preventing cancer in dogs is vitamin A. Some vets have worried that A might cause liver disease, but from what I’ve seen, medium-size dogs can safely take up to 5,000 IU per day. Your best bet is to mix liquid cod liver oil directly into the dog’s food. Be sure to check with your regular veterinarian first, though, if your dog already has liver problems or is taking medications known to affect the liver.

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