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​Feeding Your Dog During Cancer Treatment By Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM

8/19/2022

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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. Cancer not only compromises a dog's quality of life, but it is also the leading cause of non-accidental death in dogs. Other diseases are more common (e.g., obesity, chronic kidney disease, allergies) but cancer remains the most common fatal disease.

I just learned that my dog has cancer. What now?
Treating and managing cancer in a canine patient is a team effort and involves the primary care veterinarian, the veterinary healthcare team, veterinary specialists, and (most importantly) the family. The course of treatment varies and depends on the type and progression of cancer, but it may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these. With all cancer management strategies, providing optimal nutrition for your dog is essential. Proper nutrition can support both longevity and quality of life for dogs with cancer.

Aside from the tumor itself, are there other changes in the body I should be aware of?
The metabolism of dogs with cancer changes over time, passing through four phases:
Phase 1 is preclinical, meaning dogs show no outward signs of illness although there may be alterations in some blood test parameters. There are no blood tests that can be used to screen and diagnose cancer in this early stage.
In Phase 2, dogs begin showing clinical signs of cancer. These may include decreased activity levels, decreased appetite, and possible weight loss. Some signs in this phase are secondary effects - the result of radiation therapy, surgery, or chemotherapy.
In Phase 3, cancer-related metabolic changes result in a significant loss of muscle and fat stores. This profound loss of body condition is called cancer cachexia and may be reversible if remission is achieved. Phase 4 changes occur in remission. Despite eliminating the cancer, metabolic changes may persist which makes a full recovery challenging. Nutrition plays an important role in managing these metabolic changes.

How will cancer treatments affect my dog’s nutritional status?
The metabolic effects of cancer will persist after treatment. By anticipating the potential negative nutritional impacts of cancer treatment, you can adjust your dog's nutrient profile and potentially avoid some of these negative side effects. The effects of surgery depend on the type of surgery performed. Head and neck surgery, for instance, may make it difficult for your dog to eat. A feeding tube can be lifesaving in this case and can be used long term, if needed. Dogs undergoing stomach or intestinal surgery, on the other hand, will generally benefit from food that is designed to prevent nausea and is easily digestible. Chemotherapy affects rapidly reproducing cells. Cancer cells are the intended target, but the cells that line the stomach and intestines are also rapidly dividing and can be affected. The result is often nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea which typically decreases a dog's appetite and food consumption. The nutritional complications of radiation therapy will vary depending on the location and dose of treatment, as well as its reaction to other simultaneous cancer treatments. Head and neck radiation is known to decrease the production of saliva and can cause ulcers in the mouth and throat, preventing normal eating. Radiation to the chest and upper abdomen can cause nausea and vomiting. Lower abdomen radiation can cause diarrhea. In any case, radiation therapy is typically performed over successive days while the dog is under general anesthesia. Since dogs must fast before anesthesia, the timing and calorie density of feeding prior to and after their treatment is important in helping your dog avoid weight loss and deconditioning.

THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT!
What nutritional changes should I now consider?
Tumor cells love carbohydrates. Tumors use carbohydrates to promote cancer cell growth, so high levels of carbohydrates in a dog's food will actually feed the tumor and starve the patient! Research suggests that dogs with cancer should eat a nutrient profile with no more than 25% carbohydrate on a dry matter (DM) basis. Unfortunately, the majority of canine adult maintenance formulations are far higher than that in carbohydrate content. On the other hand, cancer cells have a difficult time using fat as an energy source, so foods that are relatively high in fat and low in carbohydrate may benefit dogs with cancer. In addition, higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids may exert an anti- tumor effect. While additional research is needed, it is recommended that canine cancer patients eat a ration with 25-40% DM fat and 5% DM or greater of dietary omega-3 fatty acids. Cancer does cause imbalances in protein metabolism, but protein intake is critical to maintain lean body mass. Dietary protein levels for dogs with cancer should be higher than those in a normal adult maintenance formulation, but only if the liver and kidneys are functioning normally. The current recommendation for canine cancer patients is a protein level of 30-40% DM. Your veterinarian will help you choose a nutrient profile, formulation, quantity, and delivery method (particularly if there is a feeding tube involved) that fits your dog's specific needs. While there are no commercially prepared foods available and developed specifically for canine cancer patients, some formulations have nutrient profiles that are close to the cancer-specific recommendations (one such diet is Hill's® Prescription Diet® a/d®). Homemade diets must be nutritionally balanced, and that is challenging to accomplish. In any event, it is always best that a dog with cancer eat something rather than nothing. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best option for your dog.

​Contributors: Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM

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Are you giving your pet too many treats? WEBMD for pets,  By Lisa Fields, Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on June 14, 2020

8/9/2022

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Picture
Many pet owners give these little extras as rewards -- or to show their love for their dogs or cats -- without thinking about the number of calories that are in each handout. Snacks like these may be one reason why more than half of pets in the U.S. weigh too much.

If you want to be smart about giving your dog or cat treats, follow some guidelines to avoid adding too many calories to their diet.

Limit Treats
Just like cookies don’t have enough nutrients to be the bulk of your diet, pet treats aren’t healthy enough for dogs or cats to be a large part of what they eat. That’s because these products aren’t made with the same balanced nutrition that goes into the type of pet food that you serve them at mealtime.

Pets shouldn’t get more than 10% of their daily calories from treats. This includes table scraps or food you might use to give your pet medicine, since these things aren’t designed for a healthy dog or cat’s diet.

Your vet can tell you the total number of calories your pet needs each day, and you can figure out what 10% of that amount is. To see how many calories are in treats, look on the package. (If there are no calories listed, don’t buy that treat.)

How Often to Give Treats
Some people give treats to train a pet or reward good behavior. Others use them to show their love or to strengthen their bond with the animal.

There’s no rule about how often you can dole them out, as long as you limit treats to 10% of their daily calories. Some owners choose to give one large biscuit each day. Others give a handful of kibble (perhaps 20 or 30 pieces) over the course of the day, one or two pieces at a time.

Giving no treats is fine, too. Remember that cats and dogs do well with other rewards and signs of affection, like extra playtime with you or words of praise.

Table Scraps
You may like to treat your pets to a few bites from the dinner table. If you forget to count those calories in your pet’s diet, they can gain too much weight. Keep bites from the table as small as your pinky fingernail so the food doesn’t have too many calories per mouthful.

Sometimes, feeding your pet table scraps can lead to begging, because they know that food can be a reward. If a pet begs and you give them food, they’ll think that it’s a reward for what they did, so they’ll beg again.

If you have trouble saying no to those big eyes or whines and meows, put your pet in a different room when you eat. Or try serving them their meal at the same time that you eat yours, so they don’t feel left out.

As long as you keep the portions in check, it’s fine to offer some human food to your pet. But dogs and cats should never eat:
  • Chocolate
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Raisins
  • Grapes

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