How can I help prevent my dog's cancer and keep him healthy?

Hello. This is a very difficult question because, in overage amounts, anything can potentially cause cancer. Think coffee, wine & even too much charcoal grilled meats. If there was something overtly dangerous in pet food, owners, veterinarians & the food manufacturers would be screaming to have it removed. There was some talk awhile back about the tin being used in canned foods causing a problem, especially the ones with a pop top, but that has been addressed by applying some coating to the can's interiors. Could something be discovered in the future? Probably. In the meantime, you could supplement your pet's diet with fresh meats & vegetables, but it is very difficult to provide complete nutrition this way. The way I look at it, our pets are living longer & healthier lives & we have a fantastic selection of foods to feed them. I would not worry about cancer causing ingredients in the food when we all eat way too much processed food. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! As a veterinary oncology veterinarian I can tell you that there is no proven diet for cancer patients. The only supplement that you could potentially add that could have anti-cancer activity but most importantly helps with the skin and joints is fish oil. I would recommend you get the commercial kind online or at your local pet store. Other than that, the best cancer diet is the diet that Jake loves as again there is no diet that has been proven to help with cancer. This is the time to make him happy so I would focus on a diet that he likes regardless of protein, fat or carbohydrate contents. Just make sure it is not too rich as it can upset his belly. Good luck and have a great day!

A good, balanced diet, keeping Oscar at a healthy weight, and routine checkups with your vet (every 6-12 months for a senior pet) are a great way to keep him healthy. Your vet may also recommend a baseline of tests such as bloodwork so that you know what "normal" is in case he gets ill and his values change. Your vet can also recommend any supplements or medications as needed to help treat any underlying conditions.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I am sorry to hear that Petitte has cancer and that it has spread. I typically recommend using the prescription diet Hills and feeding N/D (neoplasia diet) with any diagnosed cancers. This diet is a proprietary blend of antioxidants and nutritional ingredients to help dogs with cancer especially going through chemotherapy. Your vet will need to prescribe this food as it is a prescription diet. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Any dogs can get any type of cancer. Boxers are prone to Mast Cell Tumors, Lumphoma, Hemangiosarcoma and Osteosarcoma. Cancer can affect the dog at any age however it typically affects middle age and senior dogs. Lastly, cancer is a genetic disease and there is not a great way to prevent it. It is important to make sure to feed a high-quality dog food that is packed full of antioxidants. I recommend Royal Canin. They even make a diet for boxers! Also make sure to get your pup checked out anytime something seems abnormal. Also get any skin masses or tumors examined by the veterinarian. Early detection is key. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I'm sorry to hear you pet has cancer. Making pet food is complicated and your best option is to work with a veterinary nutritionist. Many nutritionist offer online or phone consultations. Especially with the diagnosis of cancer, there are certain nutritional considerations now that are different from a dog without cancer. The nutritionist will formulate a diet to fit the exact needs of your pup. I hope this helps to point you in the right direction and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello. As long as you feed Hadli the best quality food you can, keep her up to date on her vaccinations, keep her on heartworm preventative there is not much else for you to do but supply plenty of love. Where people get into trouble is when they try to over-supplement a pet & thus introduce imbalances. Do not let your pet become obese, give her plenty of exercise, & follow your veterinarians recommendations for any testing that might be appropriate as she ages. Just like they recommend for you & me, eating a healthy balanced diet is far more important than any supplements you can buy. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.