Leena Watts
A dog's diet is extremely important when they have lymphoma, as it can play a significant role in their quality and length of life. Cancer disrupts a dog's digestive process and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. It is recommended that you consult a veterinarian, oncologist, or animal nutritionist to determine the best course of action for your dog's diet. Carbohydrates should be avoided as they can fuel cancer cells and make them stronger. Instead, a high-protein, low-carb diet is recommended. This can include meats such as chicken, turkey, beef, and fish, as well as vegetables and supplements. It is important to note that any changes to your dog's diet should be implemented gradually to avoid digestive issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Carbohydrates should be minimized as they can fuel cancer cells and make them stronger. |
| Proteins | A high-protein diet is recommended to slow cancer growth and boost strength and the immune system. |
| Raw vs. Cooked Meat | Raw meat may contain microbes that can negatively impact treatment. Cooking meat kills these microbes. However, cooking at high temperatures can create carcinogens. Boiling is recommended. |
| Calcium | Calcium is an essential mineral for dogs with lymphoma. It can be supplemented through cheese, chicken or turkey necks, or supplements. |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Found in cold-water fish or fish oil supplements, these are beneficial for dogs with lymphoma. |
| Gradual Diet Changes | Sudden changes in diet can cause digestive issues in dogs. Any changes should be implemented gradually over a period of time (2 weeks for healthy dogs, 3-5 days for dogs with lymphoma). |
| Sodium | High sodium intake may accelerate some cancers. |
| Commercial Diets | Commercial diets from reputable manufacturers are tested and meet nutritional requirements. However, they may contain potentially damaging by-products and excessive carbohydrates. |
| Homemade Diets | Homemade diets allow for control over ingredients and can provide benefits such as increased vigor, improved hair coat, and decreased allergies. |
| Weight Maintenance | Maintaining body weight is crucial for dogs with lymphoma. Weight loss is a common issue in cancer patients and can impact their quality of life and survival. |
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What You'll Learn
Raw vs. cooked meat
If your dog has lymphoma, it's important to consult a veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment and dietary changes. The veterinarian's advice will be tailored to your dog's specific needs and may include a combination of conventional and holistic approaches.
Regarding the raw vs. cooked meat debate for dogs with lymphoma, there are valid arguments on both sides. Proponents of a raw meat diet believe that it is the ancestral diet of dogs and that raw meat is more biochemically complex, containing beneficial bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and vitamins that may be destroyed by cooking. They also argue that dogs are physiologically adapted to eat raw meat and handle the bacteria present in it due to the consistent acidity of their stomach fluid.
However, opponents of raw meat diets, especially for dogs with cancer, worry about the potential for food poisoning or other diseases due to a weakened immune system. Cooking meat kills off microbes that could be harmful to dogs undergoing chemotherapy or with a suppressed immune system. Boiling meat is recommended as it doesn't create extra carcinogens like cooking at high temperatures might.
Ultimately, the decision to feed your dog raw or cooked meat is a personal one and should be made in consultation with a trusted veterinarian. It's important to ensure that your dog's diet is balanced and includes the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to support their health and treatment.
In addition to meat, dogs with lymphoma may benefit from a diet high in protein and fat, with minimal carbohydrates, as cancer cells use glucose (carbs) as an energy source. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish and vegetable oils, respectively, are also recommended.
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Carbohydrates
Despite some misconceptions, dogs can digest and benefit from carbohydrates. Modern dogs are omnivores and have evolved during their domestication to become adept at digesting carbohydrates. While dogs do not have a dietary requirement for carbohydrates, they have metabolic glucose requirements. Carbohydrates provide a valuable source of glucose in pet foods.
The most common types of carbohydrates used in dog foods are cereal grains, such as corn, wheat, and rice. These grains must be ground up or cooked just enough to allow for the animal's intestine to absorb them easily. Common carbohydrate sources will usually be listed in the first few ingredients on the bag of dog food.
If your dog has lymphoma, it is important to note that cancer feeds off the carbohydrates that are found in most dog foods, causing the cancer to grow faster. Therefore, it is recommended to feed dogs with lymphoma foods that contain a lot of protein and minimal amounts of carbohydrates.
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Vegetables
While there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for the perfect dog cancer diet, vegetables should play an important role in a dog's nutrition, especially if they have cancer.
Dogs need a complete and balanced diet, with all the necessary nutrients, and vegetables are a great source of these. They provide phytonutrients, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. However, it is important to note that vegetables should be processed before being fed to dogs, as they are not built to digest them fully in their raw state. Cooking vegetables mimics the process of an animal predigesting them, as seen in the wild. Therefore, it is recommended to either put them through a food processor or boil/steam them until they are soft.
When it comes to the types of vegetables to feed your dog, cruciferous vegetables are often recommended. These include cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and turnips, which are nutritional powerhouses as they contain over 200 glucosinolates. These compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and make drug-resistant cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy. For example, a 2005 study of Scottish Terriers with bladder cancer found that those who ate vegetables three times a week or more had a decreased risk of cancer, and carrots were the most common vegetable fed to them.
It is important to remember that every dog and every cancer case is different, so it is always best to seek advice from your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog's diet. They can help ensure that your dog's diet is balanced and tailored to their individual needs.
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Calcium
Chicken necks are a great whole-food source of calcium and phosphorus, and dogs love them. It is recommended to cook necks until the bones are soft and malleable to minimize the choking risk and make them easy to digest. You can also remove the skin and fat from the necks, chop them into small pieces, and mix them with brown rice or oatmeal and vegetables.
Other sources of calcium include cheese or calcium supplements, which can be added to your dog's meal or given as treats. It is important to note that while raw meat can be a great source of protein and fat for dogs, it may not be suitable for dogs undergoing chemotherapy due to the potential for microbes that could hinder treatment progress or cause new ailments.
It is always recommended to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet, especially during cancer treatment. They can help you choose a nutrient profile, formulation, quantity, and delivery method that fits your dog's specific needs.
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Omega-3 fatty acids
If your dog has lymphoma, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible to determine the best course of treatment for your dog's specific circumstances. While you wait for professional advice, you may be wondering if you should change your dog's diet and what role omega-3 fatty acids could play.
There are two main sources of omega-3 fatty acids: terrestrial plants and marine life. Flaxseed is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a short-chain omega-3 fatty acid. However, there is minimal evidence to support the use of flaxseed (ALA) as an omega-3 source for dogs. The two well-known omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are found in marine algae and cold-water fish that feed on this algae. Green-lipped mussel oil, derived from sustainably farmed mussels in New Zealand, is an excellent source of EPA and DHA, containing 30 types of fatty acids compared to just 2 in other marine oils. It also contains ETA (eicosatetraenoic acid), another omega-3 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory effects that can be converted to EPA by your dog's body.
While fish oil is a common source of omega-3 fatty acids, it is prone to oxidative damage, which means it breaks down when exposed to oxygen. Green-lipped mussel oil, on the other hand, contains phospholipids, which are better absorbed and more resistant to oxidation. According to a 1997 study, this makes it 158 times more effective than fish oil.
Supplementing your dog's diet with omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial, but it is important to consult your veterinarian for specific recommendations and appropriate doses. While there is limited research on the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on cancer in dogs, some studies suggest that omega-3 supplements can help dogs with lymphoma, particularly in extending remission and survival periods.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal diet for a dog with lymphoma is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrates can fuel cancer cells, making them stronger, so it is recommended to avoid processed carbs or grain-based foods. Dogs with lymphoma need a nutritionally complete and balanced diet that includes proteins, fats, vegetables, and calcium.
There is a debate about whether raw meat is suitable for dogs with lymphoma. Some sources recommend it, while others warn that a dog's weakened immune system may make them susceptible to food poisoning or other diseases from raw meat. Cooking the meat can help kill potential microbes, but it may also reduce the availability of certain nutrients. It is essential to consult a veterinarian or a specialist for specific advice.
It is important to avoid making sudden changes to your dog's diet, as this can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhoea and vomiting. Instead, gradually introduce the new diet over a period of time, typically around two weeks, by slowly adding more of the new food while reducing the old. Consult a veterinarian or a specialist for guidance on how to safely transition your dog's diet.
Some dog owners have shared their experiences feeding their dogs with lymphoma. These include cooked chicken, canned mackerel or salmon, boiled ground beef or turkey, butternut squash, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and fish oil supplements. It is important to consult with a veterinarian or a specialist to determine the best specific foods for your dog's unique needs.
