Feeding Your Dog During Cancer Treatment

Summary: A discussion of the special nutritional needs of dogs with cancer.

Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM. VCA

Advances in veterinary diagnostics not only means dogs are now living longer and with a better quality of life than ever before, but it also means the likelihood of diagnosing cancer during a dog's life has increased. As with people, known carcinogens can have a detrimental effect on dogs (e.g., second hand smoke, exposure to ultraviolet rays, and obesity) and are associated with an increased risk of developing cancer.

Two VCA veterinarians answer some common feeding questions owners of dogs with cancer may have.