Dog Food for Cancer

Cancer causes metabolic changes that affect use and digestion of foods. Choosing the right foods depends on several factors, including desired effect, type of cancer, other diseases the dog also has and location of the cancer.

  1. Food and Cancer

    • Many veterinarians agree that carbohydrates feed cancer growth. Fats supply calories but are not used by cancer cells. Protein is critical for healing and to provide amino acids that are used up by the cancer.

    Food Objective

    • If your dog is terminal, food should be chosen that has basic nutrition but something the dog will eat to maintain weight. Warming the food might help. If the dog is fighting the cancer, the food needs to help the fight.

    Cancer Type and Disease

    • Type of cancer and other diseases play a role in food selection. Dogs with kidney disease cannot handle high protein. Increased fat is not recommended with liver or pancreatic disease, or cancer. Intestinal, oral and stomach cancers affect what can be eaten and how it is absorbed.

    The Essentials

    • The Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Clinical Oncology Service states "The specific nutritional requirements of the pet with cancer are unknown," but they need water, calories, protein, minerals and vitamins.

    What to Feed

    • Food is generally lower with simple carbohydrates, and increased protein and fat. Discuss the type of cancer and food with your veterinarian. Many commercial foods are available that are designed for dogs with cancer. There are also recipes and guidelines for preparing homemade dog food depending on the type of cancer.