Can Dogs Get Cancer? Exploring Canine Cancer Facts
It's even more heartbreaking to learn that cancer in dogs is often almost entirely genetic. This means that if a dog has a history of cancer in its lineage, whether the dog itself or its future offspring, they are likely to be caught in the clutches of cancer's relentless grasp.
Despite all that has been discussed, it's important to note that facing cancer is not a matter of resignation. Today's article aims to educate us on how to keep our dogs safe from the shadow of cancer?
Selection:
The article initially touched on the genetic aspect of cancer. Indeed, besides inbreeding, certain dog breeds are more prone to cancer. Golden Retrievers and Boxers, for instance, have a significantly higher risk of cancer compared to other breeds. To avoid the genetic predisposition to cancer, a breed requires the tireless efforts of professional breeders, which can take an incredibly long time to achieve.
This is why we always recommend purchasing puppies from reputable kennels and breeders. Each breed has its own common genetic diseases, and within each bloodline, there are specific genetic predispositions. These may seem like simple facts, but they require a wealth of knowledge and experience to understand. Professional breeders can inform you about the genetic diseases in a dog's parents and what genetic diseases the dog might be prone to.
Some may argue that professional kennels are too expensive and that buying a seemingly healthy dog from a pet store is sufficient. While it's true that pet stores can be a walletfriendly option, the reality is different. Many genetic diseases, including cancer, can be mitigated through early prevention. The costs before symptoms worsen are relatively low, but they can skyrocket once the condition progresses.
Dogs from kennels can be diseasepreventive because any potential diseases are anticipated by professional breeders. Conversely, when purchasing from pet stores, it's often unclear whether the dog's parents are even of the same breed, let alone whether they carry genetic diseases.
Systematic and scientific breeding is not just a buzzword.
Eating is a concern that many dog owners share.
As previously mentioned, obesity is a major killer in dogs. In fact, obesity can trigger various forms of cancer, such as lipomas, which are often found in overweight dogs, or breast tumors in overweight female dogs, among others.
Let's put it simply: control your hand and control its mouth.
The mechanism of cancer is essentially the uncontrolled replication of damaged cells. Foods rich in antioxidants can help dogs recover these damaged cells, thereby reducing the likelihood of cancer. However, don't rush out to buy blueberries! The AKC Canine Health Foundation has found that antioxidants are more effective for adult dogs than for puppies.
This means that if your dog is older, it's indeed beneficial to introduce antioxidantrich foods like blueberries into its diet. But if your dog is still young, there's no need to spend money on this.
Smoking:
A study by the University of Colorado found that dogs in homes where smoking is present are at a high risk of developing nasal cancer if they have long noses and lung cancer if they have short noses. If you smoke and your dog hasn't developed either of these cancers yet, you might be feeling rather relieved.
But don't get too complacent. The study also found that, after accounting for the risk of these two cancers, any dog living in a secondhand smoke environment is at a higher risk of respiratory diseases.
Quit smoking for the sake of your dog and your wallet.
Other Factors:
Besides smoking, various chemical products can also increase a dog's risk of cancer. These include pesticides, paints, agricultural chemicals, and herbicides. Keep these chemicals away from your dog.
