The specific nutritional requirements of dogs with cancer still are unknown. Caretakers of dogs with cancer should remember that there is no diet or remedy that will work for every dog. Because humans have to guess what a dog is experiencing when he refuses food, determining the best course of action is difficult.
Meeting Your Dog's Nutritional Needs
Veterinary oncologists at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting research about meeting nutritional needs of dogs with cancer. They offer these suggestions:
Try not to coax your dog to eat when she is showing signs of nausea or discomfort.
Pets that turn their heads away, spit out food or try to hide the food should be left alone.
If your dog seems nauseated or refuses to eat, talk to your vet about anti-nausea medication or even tube feeding.
Try to feed small meals throughout the day.
Beware of learned food aversions. A dog may associate foods with feelings of pain and discomfort. Try offering unfamiliar foods, feeding your dog in a different place or in a new bowl, or inviting your dog to eat during family mealtime. If possible, separate feeding time from medication time.
Finding Healthy Foods
Because malnutrition increases the risk of complications and decreases quality of life and survival rates, finding healthy foods your dog will eat is extremely important.
Dogs with kidney- or liver-related cancers cannot tolerate a high protein diet, whereas dogs with gastrointestinal cancers shouldn't eat high fat diets. Dogs with bone cancers need calcium-rich foods because the affected bone is demineralizing.
Natural supplements recommended by many holistic and allopathic veterinarians include: digestive enzymes, antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, green tea and coenzyme Q10. Certain herbs and spices (turmeric, garlic) may aid in slowing growth of cancerous tissues.
Diet Debates
What dogs eat plays a critical role in the development and progress of cancer. Many schools of thought exist about proper nutrition for dogs, especially those with special needs. Health practitioners at the holistic end of the spectrum say dogs should eat animal proteins and some vegetables, but no foods derived from grains. They believe plant-based grains or proteins promote, rather than restrict, the growth of cancer cells.
Cancer affects the way a body metabolizes food because the body uses nutrients to fight disease, thus focusing more on survival than growth. Over the years, holistic veterinarians have said that feeding raw meat (beef, chicken, fish) is the best option because uncooked meats have not lost natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins and fats that strengthen the immune system. Other veterinarians insist that "Raw meat is never recommended for animals undergoing chemotherapy or who are immune suppressed in any way."
In an article titled "Nutritional Approaches to Cancer Therapy", Dr. Ogilvie, DVM at Colorado State University, says "Some cancer cells thrive on carbohydrates (sugar) and, to some extent, proteins, but not on specific types of fats as a primary source of energy."
He believes a proper diet will aid cancer treatment, and suggests:
* Small amounts of complex carbohydrates
* Minimal quantities of rapidly absorbed simple sugars
* High quality but modest amounts of digestible proteins
* High amounts of unsaturated fats
* Omega-3 essential fatty acids, e.g., salmon oil and flaxseed oil (not recommended for dogs undergoing radiation therapy)
Consult Your Vet
Before you start your dog on any diet, you should consult with your veterinarian or a holistic vet to see if your dog will tolerate and benefit from a new food regimen. And remember, every dog is different and each dog requires individualized care.
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