While there is no cure for cancer or guarantee that you can save your pet from this disease, there are steps you can take to reduce your pet’s risk of developing cancer. Risk reduction, or prevention, is the only way you can ensure that you’re doing your best to defend your dog’s health.
The key step in reducing your pet’s risk of cancer is to support a healthy immune system. Experts believe that a healthy immune system is essential to holistic risk reduction. Diet is an important factor in helping your dog maintain a healthy immune system. By providing your pet a diet that is full of healthy real food fats and proteins instead of substitutes like chicken meal or fillers like wheat and corn, you will provide your dog with the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy growth. Antioxidants and vitamins that are designed just for dogs can also help boost immune systems and reduce risk of cancer. Proper exercise and a happy home life can also help reduce your dog’s risk.
Environment can also take a toll on your dog. If your dog is exposed to toxic chemicals like pesticides, fluorinated water, exhaust fumes, or second hand smoke he or she is more likely to develop canine cancer. As recent studies have shown that over vaccination can increase cancer risk, getting your pet Titers instead of vaccination boosters, or limiting the amount of vaccinations your pet has, can also help decrease risk of cancer.
While there is still no one proven prevention method or cure for cancer you can guard your dog’s health, and ensure that he or she lives a long and happy life.
