50% of dogs over the age of 10 are diagnosed with cancer.
But as scary as it is, a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end of the story. With proper support, dogs living with cancer can still enjoy a high quality, meaningful life.
To better understand how to deliver that support, it’s helpful to understand how cancer operates and how it affects your dog. While all dogs can benefit from better nutritional quality, dogs living with cancer undergo metabolic changes that make proper nutrition even more important.
Healthy cells grow and multiply as the body needs them.
But occasionally this process breaks down, and cells develop mutations that cause them to grow and multiply when they shouldn't. These mutations may be inherited, or they may develop over time as genes suffer damage or wear out.
Cancer occurs when these abnormal cells multiply and reproduce uncontrollably and exponentially. As they spread and crowd out normal cells, it becomes harder for the body to function properly.
Diet is a key environmental factor that impacts cancer risk and cancer outcomes.
While genetics play a role in a dog's risk of developing cancer, environmental factors like prolonged stress, exposure to carcinogens, and diet play an even bigger one. The food your dog eats – and how it’s cooked – can profoundly impact cancer risk and cancer outcomes, in addition to overall health.
Excess carbohydrates are particularly problematic for dogs with cancer.
Carbs break down into glucose, the easiest energy source for cancer cells to use. In addition, excess carbohydrates in your dog’s diet promote inflammation and can cause other health problems that weaken your dog’s immune system and ability to fight back.
The fight starts in the bowl.
Metabolic changes caused by cancer
Cancer causes dramatic, permanent metabolic changes in dogs. The nutrients they do (or don’t) receive profoundly impact their health—affecting their weight, appetite, digestion, energy and immune system.
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Phase one: Pre-Clinical
Phase 1 is pre-clinical, meaning dogs show no outward signs of illness, although some blood test parameters may change. No blood test can screen and diagnose cancer in this early stage.
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Phase Two: Clinical
In Phase 2, dogs begin showing clinical signs of cancer, including decreased activity levels, a reduced or poor appetite, and possibly weight loss. Some signs are secondary effects of radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery.
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Phase Three: Metabolic
In Phase 3, cancer-related metabolic changes cause a significant loss of muscle and fat stores. This profound loss of body condition is called cancer cachexia and may be reversible if remission is achieved.
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Phase Four: Remission
Phase 4 occurs in remission. Even though the cancer is eliminated, metabolic changes may persist, making a full recovery challenging. Nutrition is important for managing these metabolic changes.
Resources
Here are a few studies and resources on canine oncology and nutrition you may find helpful.
