Cancer is a "multifactorial" disease, meaning that there is not one single cause, according to the ASPCA. Diet and hereditary are two major causes of canine cancer, but some dogs develop cancer as their body weakens with age. Cancer symptoms include lumps, swelling, sores and decreased appetite. You can prevent some types of canine cancers by neutering males dogs and spaying females before her first heat cycle, according to the ASPCA.
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Age
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Age is a contributing factor with dogs who develop cancer, according to the ASPCA. As your dog grows old, he is more likely to develop cancer because his cells are aging. Cells are continually replacing themselves as your dog grows older, and each copy of a cell becomes more fragile than the one before. Some owners give their dogs vitamins C and E to reduce the likelihood of cancer, according to the ASPCA. Both vitamins help strengthen cells and overall health.
Diet
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A poor diet may be a contributing factor to canine cancer, according to the ASPCA. Avoid giving your dog food from your table or junk foods. Feed your dog a high-quality, nutrient-dense dog food. There are several high-quality dog foods at the pet store that do not contain animal by-products. Choose foods that have high levels of beneficial ingredients such as real chicken and beef along with other added nutrients. Give your dog pure, filtered water instead of tap water.
Genetics
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Genetics is another cause of canine cancer. If your dog develops the same type of cancer as his mother, it is likely due to a problem within the genes. Bad genes are passed down several generations, resulting in multiple health problems. This is more commonly seen in puppy mills where dogs with poor health and living conditions are breeding.
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