Like humans, dogs often come down with cancer as they age, though most dogs do not die directly from cancer itself but rather from cancer side effects like kidney or liver failure. These problems can be avoided by adjusting your dog's diet so that its system is optimal for fighting cancer. This means avoiding foods that weaken the immune system, while at the same time adding nutrient rich foods and vitamins to the diet.
-
Avoiding Grains
-
According to Dog Cancer.net, the number one rule when designing your dog's cancer diet is to avoid grains. Many commercial dog foods these days are made up of large quantities of rice, corn and wheat, but the natural, meat-heavy canine diet developed over millions of years. Today's domestic dogs are no different, and your dog should be eating dog food with only small amounts of grains. Look at the food you're feeding your dog and make sure that meat is the first ingredient with grains far down on the list. Sorghum is preferable over corn, which really should not be in your dog's diet, especially if he's suffering from cancer. Opt for foods with high fat and protein content instead of those heavy in carbohydrates.
Fish Oil
-
Fish oil is a popular vitamin supplement for humans, but it is also very beneficial for dogs suffering from cancer. Fish oil contains important omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids essential in fighting cancer. Most dogs will happily consume fish oil with their regular diet because the stinky, fishy smell is particularly appetizing for them. One 1,000 mg capsule per 20 pounds of body weight is the recommended dosage. Some dog owners prefer flax seed oil, but many dogs are reluctant to eat it and it must be disguised in a carrier.
Raw Foods
-
Many dog owners dealing with cancer opt for a raw foods or partially cooked foods diet. Raw meat may be tough on a dog's stomach if it's not used to it, so cooked meat is preferred at least in the beginning. Dogs have more acid in their stomach than humans and can more easily digest raw meat and bones. A typical Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods (BARF) diet is 75 percent meat and 25 percent fruits and vegetables, though you may need to adjust this ratio for your dog. A typical diet would include, but is not limited to, raw bones, different kinds of high protein lean meats, offal, vegetables, fruits, yogurt and eggs. You can find a list of typical BARF diet foods at Dog Cancer.net (see "References" below).
-