Frequently Asked Questions

The food provided as part of your dog's Nutrition Plan contains just six all-natural (no preservatives, no additives) ingredients:

1. Chicken - light
2. Chicken - mixed
3. Brown rice
4. Green beans
5. Sweet potatoes
6. Flax seed meal

Our ingredients are high-protein, low-carbohydrate and are intended to meet 100% of any adult dog's daily nutritional needs. Our food is manufactured to human grade standards. 

The Canine Biologics Nutrition System is composed of 3 parts:

1. All natural, high-protein, low-carbohydrate food manufactured to human grade standards
2. Wild caught Alaskan salmon oil
3. Supplements containing 25 vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids and plant extracts

Canine Biologics Supplements include 25 vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids and plant extracts. For a complete list, use the link provided here: Supplements 

The Canine Biologics Integrated Nutrition System is relatively new to the market and your veterinarian may not be familiar with our product or we may not have begun distributing to veterinarians in your area yet. Canine Biologics is the only company completely dedicated to supporting dogs fighting cancer. While our integrated nutrition system does not diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease, this dog cancer diet was developed by an oncologist with a PhD in tumor immunology and a canine nutritionist to provide optimal high-fat, higher-than-usual protein and low-carb nutrition to help dogs feel their best while fighting or recovering from cancer.

Dogs with cancer, as well as those undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or those who have had cancer surgeries, may experience significant inflammation with or without pain or other discomfort. The salmon oil in the Canine Biologics integrated nutrition system contains EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids and is dosed at therapeutic levels to reduce inflammation. While our nutrition system does not diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease, it is designed to provide optimal high-fat, higher-than-usual protein, low-carbohydrate nutritional support for critically ill dogs, like those with cancer.

Additionally, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in salmon oil, have been linked in studies to enhancement of the immune system. Our nutrition system includes a high dose of salmon oil with EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids like those used in the studies.

Brown rice and sweet potatoes are both sources of complex carbohydrates providing a good source of energy for dogs fighting cancer. Unlike white rice and many other grains that can increase blood sugar, brown rice helps minimize blood sugar spikes and has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties among other health benefits. Digestible complex carbohydrates make up only 10% of the total calories of the Canine Biologics Integrated Nutrition System.

Some nutrients, such a vitamin C and many B vitamins, degrade quickly when exposed to air, light or heat. Also, the lipids (fats) in salmon oil are altered by heat, light and air causing them to oxidize. Salmon oil should be protected from air, light and heat and preferably stored in a refrigerator to prolong the life of the beneficial EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. By mixing the food, fish oil and supplements at the time of feeding, you ensure optimum nutrition for your dog. This added step can make a big difference in your dog’s health.

While the Canine Biologics integrated nutrition system contains ingredients and supplements to help support dogs who are critically ill, it is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. Some of the ingredients in our formula were chosen for their ability to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and provide other specific benefits.

While antioxidants from natural whole foods are beneficial for cancer patients, additional antioxidant supplements are not necessarily recommended for dogs undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Antioxidant supplements may interfere with the cancer-killing effects of chemotherapy, which works by inducing oxidative stress in cancer patients.

To understand this, we must first consider that dogs with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment are undergoing an oxidative therapy. While there is no evidence to suggest that antioxidants from whole foods should be avoided, the website oncologynutrition.org states that some studies indicate that “antioxidant supplements may interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, by reducing their effectiveness. It is possible that antioxidants may protect tumor and cancer cells, in addition to healthy cells, from the oxidative damage intentionally caused by conventional cancer treatments. This, in turn, may reduce the effectiveness of the treatments.”

Although sweet potato contains some natural sugar, it is a complex carbohydrate that does not cause a spike in blood sugar. Sweet potatoes are a part of the Canine Biologics integrated nutrition system due to their high vitamin A content that ensures our food meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements for a “complete and balanced diet.” Additionally, beta carotene, the substance providing the orange color to sweet potatoes, converts to vitamin A in the body. These nutrients help protect the body’s cells from damage.

No, the food, supplements and salmon oil are cross-engineered to work together to provide optimal nutrition. For example, in the case of arginine, part of the total dose in our nutrition system comes from natural foods in the food component, while additional arginine was added to the supplement mix to reach the therapeutic dose most successful in research studies with lymphoma patients. The three components must be used together as a system in the quantities recommended for your dog’s weight and activity level.

You can see the proposed Nutrition Plan for your dog on our website by answering just a few questions about your dog. It should take less than 5 minutes to tell us a bit about your dog. Use the link provided here: See My Dog's Nutrition Plan

Yes! Our Integrated Nutrition System meets and exceeds the AAFCO standards.

The only preservative we use is a very small amount (less than 1%) of rosemary oil in our Wild Salmon Oil.

All our products are sourced and manufactured in the United States.

Our website will walk you through some questions we use to determine your dog's nutrition plan, including the quantity of food for each order. There is a detailed feeding guide on the back of the package. Our customer care team can also answer any questions you have.

We recommend feeding the same number of meals you currently feed. Divide the total daily recommended amount by the number of meals you feed to determine the quantities to mix for each meal. You can adjust the meal size up or down or increase or decrease the frequency as needed or as recommended by your veterinarian.

We recommend discussing feeding your dog with your veterinarian. However, PetMD’s veterinarian, Jennifer Coates, recommends gradually transitioning your dog to a new dog cancer diet as follows:

Day 1 – Mix 20% of the new food with 80% of the old.

Day 2 – Mix 40% of the new food with 60% of the old.

Day 3 – Mix 60% of the new food with 40% of the old.

Day 4 – Mix 80% of the new food with 20% of the old.

Day 5 – Feed 100% of the new food.

It is fine to increase your dog’s food intake slowly and/or feed more smaller meals. It is more likely for dogs with cancer to lose weight than to gain weight. If your dog does gain or lose a noticeable amount of weight or has behavioral changes once eating larger meals, we recommend you consult your veterinarian.

It is normal for dogs with cancer to lose weight and/or body mass. You can increase your dog’s food slowly if he/she will eat more, or you can try feeding more smaller meals throughout the day if your schedule permits. If your dog has lost a noticeable amount of weight or is not eating, please contact your veterinarian for guidance.

That depends on many factors. If your dog was underweight prior to starting on our food and gains some weight, that is good. If he was average weight and now seems to be packing on pounds when he/she does not need to, you should consult your veterinarian. You can try slowly tapering back his/her meal size to see if this helps stop the weight gain. If you dog experiences any other health concerns, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

If your dog has already transitioned to the Canine Biologics Integrated Nutrition System and seems to be tolerating it well, treats in moderation should be fine, unless your veterinarian has directed you otherwise. We do, however, recommend sticking to healthy, low-carbohydrate treats. If you have questions about suitable treats, contact your veterinarian for suggestions. Canine Biologics plans to offer a high fat, low carb line of treats in the near future, so please check back with us.

We recommend you discard any food remaining in your dog's bowl after a maximum of four hours.

Keep all the components, food, supplements and oil in a cool, dry place. 

Every dog’s cancer experience is unique depending on their age, the dog’s health and what type of treatment they may be receiving.

Canine Biologics food does not cure, mitigate or treat canine cancer, so there is no guarantee your dog will feel or behave differently on our integrated nutrition system. You can, however, rest assured that your dog is receiving optimal nutrition developed specifically to support dogs like yours.

Dogs with cancer, those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, or those who are recovering from cancer surgery often experience inflammation leading to pain or other discomfort.

Research has shown the omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil reduces inflammation and the Canine Biologics nutrition system includes a therapeutic dose of wild-caught salmon oil.

Studies have also shown that arginine is helpful for wound healing and boosting immune health. A study at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital examined the combination of omega-3 fatty acids and arginine in specific quantities and proportions in combination with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. The Canine Biologics nutrition system has both of these components in the quantities used in this study.

Vomiting in dogs with cancer is not uncommon and there are many reasons a dog might throw up after a meal. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian and consult him or her with any concerns.

If you are transitioning your dog to Canine Biologics Nutrition System, we recommend transitioning your dog to the new food over a period of five days. If at any time you notice blood in your dog’s vomit or stool, or if vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, please contact your veterinarian for guidance.

The Animal Cancer Foundation website notes “nausea may be associated with some types of cancer… Some tumors in the mouth, throat or intestinal tract may make eating, swallowing or the digestion of food difficult.” Additionally, “tumors of the digestive tract may cause vomiting…”

If your dog is receiving chemotherapy, according to the Animal Cancer Foundation website, chemotherapy drugs can cause inflammation of the mouth, tongue and esophagus. Drugs used in chemotherapy can also alter the sense of smell or taste” and can “cause nausea and/or vomiting with or without diarrhea…”

If your dog is receiving radiation therapy radiation of the chest or abdomen can affect the esophagus, stomach and intestines which may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

If your dog is not receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy PetMD says many gastrointestinal upset conditions are alleviated by feeding a bland diet. You should discuss this with your veterinarian who may prescribe something for nausea or who may have additional advice. If you wish to try the bland diet, follow these veterinarian-recommended steps:

Bland Diet

1. Withhold water and food for 3–6 hours. If additional vomiting occurs, contact your veterinarian.
2. If no additional vomiting has occurred, offer a few tablespoons or water or an ice cube. If no vomiting occurs, wait 30 minutes then offer a small amount of water again. This can be repeated for 2–3 hours. If there is still no vomiting after this time, you can slowly introduce a bland diet.
3. To make a bland diet, boil lean chicken or hamburger. Mix it 50/50 with boiled white rice. Do not add anything else. Offer a tablespoon of the mixture. If there is no vomiting after 2 hours, offer a bit more. Gradually increase the amount and frequency. For example, instead of 2 Tbsp. every 2 hours, you can gradually increase the amount to maybe a ½ cup every 3 or 4 hours. This will differ based on the size of your pet.

If your dog is tolerating the bland diet without vomiting, you can slowly re-introduce the Canine Biologics food again over 5 days transitioning by adding approximately a fifth of the Canine Biologics Nutrition System the first day, while decreasing the bland diet by the same amount. The second day increase the Canine Biologics Nutirition System to two fifths of the meal and decrease the bland diet by the same amount and so on until your dog is completely on the Canine Biologics Nutrition System on day five. If the vomiting and/or diarrhea returns, please consult your veterinarian.

Some treatments can affect your dog’s sense of smell and taste. These treatments may also cause nausea making them less inclined to eat.

You could try hand feeding your dog. Some dogs who are not feeling well respond to this. If that works, more smaller meals may be preferred by your dog. Your veterinarian can also prescribe an appetite stimulant or nausea medication which are helpful for some dogs. Canine Biologics also sells ultra-high-quality CBD oil which may help. The WebMD website says, “the benefits (of CBD) include reduction of pain and increase in appetite.” Many dog parents report success using CBD oil for dogs with cancer.

It is difficult to determine how much salmon oil and supplement mix came up with the food. For this reason, you should prepare a full or partial replacement meal of the food mixed with warm water, but do not add supplement mix or salmon oil for the replacement meal. After this meal, you can return to your normal feeding using all three ingredients.

There are a variety of issue that can cause dogs to have difficulty keeping food down. This could be related to the treatment, medication or a sensitivity to the Canine Biologics food. We recommend you temporarily stop feeding our food and switch to a bland diet to help calm you dog’s digestive system. After a few days on the bland diet, try slowly transitioning your dog back to the Canine Biologics food over five days. If at any time, your dog begins vomiting again, please call your veterinarian to discuss the best strategy moving forward. Your veterinarian may prescribe medication to manage nausea or you may wish to try CBD oil for this. Canine Biologics sells an ultra-high-quality organic, full-spectrum CBD oil on our website if you would like to try this all-natural approach.

The changes you see could be caused by numerous things. It is quite likely your dog will experience both good and less-good days as his or her disease progresses. Dogs undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy commonly experience some days when they do not fell as well as usual. Please consult with your veterinarian to determine if a follow-up visit is needed.

Absolutely! Contact our customer care team at (888)708-3821 or (720)463-3206 for help calculating how much food you need to order to arrange shipment.

Certainly. While we advise clients consult their veterinarian regarding their dog’s cancer diet, it is not a prescription food, so you can order it yourself. However, your veterinarian may have specific reasons for this advice based on your dog's health profile. We would be happy to reach out to your veterinarian to discuss your dog's specific nutritional requirements if you provide your veterinarian's contact information via our Contact form.

We are so sorry for your loss and understand what a difficult time this is for you and your family. Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns of opened food, salmon oil or supplements. We would, however, like to send a donation to Freedom Service Dogs in honor of your dog. What was your dog’s name?

While there are some non-profit organizations that provide financial assistance to families of dogs with cancer, there is not currently assistance available to help pay for Canine Biologics food. You may wish to search online for recipes for dog cancer diets you can make at home. Dogs with cancer do best on high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets. We also highly recommend the use of salmon oil in therapeutic doses.