Cancer is the the ultimate failure of the immune system. Put simply, it is abnormal cell growth. A healthy immune system is capable of keeping cell growth in check. The progression from health to a diagnosis of cancer, is not simple to explain.
I am often asked why cats and dogs develop cancer. There is no simple answer. It is multi-factorial. A combination of diet, lifestyle, exposure to environmental toxicity, over burdening of the immune system, and sometimes genetics play a part.
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The link between a healthy diet and the prevention of cancer has been proven over and over in the human medical field. We know that a diet full of unprocessed fruits and vegetables rich in enzymes and anti-oxidants can reduce the likelihood of several types of cancers. In 1997 the Colorado State School of Veterinary Medicine documented that dogs and cats with cancer had a longer survival time if they were fed a diet high in protein and fat but reduced in carbohydrates. Feeding a high fat, high protein diet (the natural diet of cats and dogs) is found to starve the cancer cells of carbohydrates that they need as an energy source for replication. |
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Essential fatty acids are also known to be vital for people fighting cancer.
Veterinary oncologists do not know the exact fatty acid requirements for cats and dogs. But we do know that processed pet foods are completely devoid of useful essential fatty acids.
Cancer is simply abnormal cell growth. The more carcinogens (or cancer causing substances) an animal is exposed to, the more likely it is the animal will develop cancer. Our every day environment is full of potential carcinogens. Weed sprays, insecticides, household cleaners, chemicals put directly on to pets, chemicals ingested by pets, chemicals in shampoos, traffic fumes, the list is endless. These potential toxins can cause cell damage leading to the production of free radicals. Free radicals can have a negative effect on normal cell division.
Based on what we know about how cancer develops, the best advice would be to maximise the diet and minimise the exposure to toxic chemicals. A diet high in protein, fat and essential fatty acids of animal origin. And an assessment of how toxic your pets environment really is.