There’s no doubt about it, canine cancer is on the rise and, chances are, at some point you will watch a loved one go through this awful disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 6 MILLION new cancer diagnoses are made in dogs each year. If you’ve been following along, you know that Fur The Brand is dedicated to changing this narrative on the canine cancer crisis and helping equip owners with information that aids in prevention and care.
In recent years, canine cancer has become the leading cause of death in 47% of dogs (National Cancer Institute). The Veterinary Cancer Society estimates 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer at some point, and almost 50% of dogs over age 10 will develop cancer.
So WHY is canine cancer on the rise? It's important to note that cancer is a really, complex disease and it’s impossible to pinpoint a definitive, single factor. Extensive research in humans shows that a large majority of human cancers are related to risk factors present in the diet or environment, over an extended period of time. It is likely that these same risk factors play a major role in the development of cancers in pets. (Merck Veterinary Manual) As dog owners, it's SO important to keep their immune system's top of mind so that your dog is able to live a healthy life and fight off potential diseases.
There has been a significant amount of research citing poor nutrition and the consumption of poor quality, commercial dog foods, or kibble, as a key factor in the canine cancer crisis. Check out this article, ‘One Unexpected Cause of Cancer in Dogs’ written by Julia Henriques for a deeper look into the link between a dog’s diet and the risk of canine cancer.
As the article notes, Holistic veterinarian Jodie Gruenstein, DVM tells us that “It has become common knowledge that cancer feeds on carbs. Humans and pets do best on high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets.” In addition, keeping your dog's diet as natural as possible by switching from generic kibble to brands with minimally processed ingredients can help to ensure your dog is getting a nutrient-dense diet.
And while some breeds have a higher incidence for developing cancer at an earlier age, in most cases it’s a disease found in aging animals as their immune system weakens.
Fortunately, if detected early enough, most canine cancers are treatable. Fur The Brand cannot stress enough the importance of PREVENTION and EARLY DETECTION to help your dog live longer. We remain dedicated to saving lives through awareness, prevention, and our financial assistance program for those unable to afford the cost of treatment.
Thanks so much for starting a program that really helps mans best friend. I love dogs , honestly mote than people and it is really hard to watch as uninformed people feed there pets the garbage they call pet food that found in every store. After years of watching my labs die
4 awesome dogs in 5 years due of cancer related problems
I found that fresh food diets have been great for my 2 mastiff
So far no signs of disease at agev7 and they still look and act like they are 2
.currently we feed them farmers dog or make our own fresh food . It can be more expensive but well worth it. I cannot go through…
Agree with Charita. My Jack Russell was deemed tip top shape after a thorough exam with xrays in 2021. It was a detailed senior dog check up. He was 10 at the time and deemed in excellent health and superior condition for his age. Vet said he was better than a dog half his age. He got a rabies vaccine at the end of the year and in the spring of 2022, he showed lethargy and exercise intolerance. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in August '22. He had surgery to remove the tumor and fought it hard for 7 months with chemo. In the end, he had to be put down as it came back. I really question the…
There needs to be more research. it’s not just the food. Vaccines contribute as well in my opinion. We are about to put down our 2nd dog 2 different breeds both with exact same type of cancer. Our animals have always gone to the vet like they are supposed to, yet I have family members that never bring their dogs to the vet for vaccines and they live for 15+ years something is definitely not right with that picture.