Liver cancer in dogs is a disease similar to liver cancer in humans; however, the causes are relatively abstract. One of the main causes of liver cancer in dogs is improper diet. The liver is responsible for the expulsion of toxins, and the ingestion of the wrong foods, including plants and other toxic materials containing carcinogens, overload the liver and allow cancer cells to flourish in the body. While treatment for humans with liver cancer is medically based, canine liver cancer can be derailed and prevented with the proper diet.
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Home-Cooked Meals
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The ingestion of chemicals found in plants and processed dog food can lead to canine liver cancer. Most processed dog foods contain grains and chemicals to prolong shelf life. Since the liver is responsible for filtering out toxins, chemicals are the last thing a dog should be ingesting. Home-cooked meals will ensure your dog is receiving the proper balance of nutrients, without toxins from chemically enhanced dog food. A small helping of boiled whole-grain rice, steamed carrots and a large chicken breast is a good example of a well-balanced meal for a dog with liver cancer.
Low-Carbohydrate/High-Fat Foods
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Since cancer cells thrive on the energy that carbohydrates give the body, choose foods with fewer carbohydrates. Foods with higher fat content, like pork back fat, contain lipids. Cancer cannot thrive in the presence of lipids; this allows more amino acids to replicate and aid in the fight against cancer. White rice, wheat and breads have extremely high amounts of carbohydrates, and should not be fed to a dog with liver cancer. Use olive oil and fish oil to increase the healthy fat content of your dog's food. Large helpings of pork with pork fat and chicken breasts baked in olive oil are good examples of high-protein foods with high amounts of healthy fats. Although you should not overload your canine with carbohydrates, provide a handful-sized helping of steamed whole-grain rice or vegetables with the meal.
Protein
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Protein is the most essential part of a liver cancer diet, since protein is responsible for tissue repair. Foods high in protein, like fish, beef, chicken, pork and eggs, are ideal for liver cancer sufferers. Not only does protein promote tissue repair, but it also aids in the prevention of liver cancer in dogs, since cancer cannot thrive on protein.
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