My dog has cancer, How can I best help them?
A question that we get time and time again is, “My dog has cancer. What are my options to best help my dog through it?” Getting a cancer diagnosis for your pet dog can be a shattering experience. The suffering of your pawed companion is hard to deal with, but the thought of losing it can be terrifying. Although the feelings can be overwhelming, you must stay strong and focus on doing the best for the animal. After all, it needs all the love and compassion you can give to beat the disease. You will have to go the extra mile for a dying animal, no matter how painful the journey seems. A little extra can give the animal better chances for survival or make the last phase easier.
Your dog can develop many types of cancers. Please refer to our article on eight types of cancers in dogs. Below are some care tips pet owners can follow to help a dog suffering from cancer.
1. Follow the Veterinarian’s advice
It is important to keep track of the dog’s health after a cancer diagnosis, even when the animal is in the recovery phase. The disease can strike back anytime, so a constant vigil is essential. Stay in touch with your vet and inform them about the slightest signs of something being amiss with the pet. Regular checkups and follow-up diagnostic tests are equally significant to keep cancer from relapsing. Also, follow the vet’s advice regarding diet, exercise, symptom monitoring, and support. If you have doubts, don’t hesitate to call the vet because timely action can be life-saving for your canine companion.
2. Focus on a healing diet for your pet
Apart from the apt treatment, a healing diet goes a long way in helping dogs with cancer. Tumor cells thrive on carbohydrates, so you must curb them in the canine diet. Ideally, the nutrient profile for such dogs should include no more than 25% carbohydrate. Check the food labels to ensure that you pick the right dietary option for the pet. You can opt for foods relatively high in fat instead. Omega-3 fatty acids are specifically beneficial because they have an anti-tumor effect. Opt for a diet with a low glycemic index. Fruits such as apples, berries, and bananas are ideal choices. You can add honey, peas, brown rice, and oatmeal to the pet’s daily diet. Check with your vet for further guidance.
Non Prescription Supplements
There are products on the market that can improve the quality of life for your dog while they are fighting cancer. Consider putting your dog on a supplement that helps them deal with cancer. When your dog’s body is receiving optimal nutrients, it can fight the disease at its best. Some of these supplements claim even to inhibit the growth rate of cancers in your dog. Below are alternative supplements that we recommend that easily mix in with your dog’s food.
3. Learn to recognize your dog’s pain
You may have some trouble assessing the level of pain of the animal. But it is easy to learn to recognize the signs eventually. While dogs tend to hide discomfort, abnormal behavior is a telltale sign. Experts suggest that pacing, excessive panting, limping, and refusing to lie down are the indications of canine pain. As the animal’s health declines, you may see a gradual slowdown. Loss of appetite, insomnia, and difficulty breathing are warning signs that your pet is suffering. If any changes in your pet’s behavior is noted, you must seek medical help right away. Early intervention can help ease the symptoms, even for dying dogs.
4. Try alternative therapies
When it comes to conventional cancer treatments for canines, they may or may not work. Additionally, the side effects can make life difficult for your pet. You can discuss alternative therapies with your vet to increase the chances of recovery or simply for minimizing the side effects. Countless dog owners profess the benefits of CBD oil for dogs with cancer from personal experience. CBD has anti-cancer properties and can even prevent metastasis. It also offers immune support. There are good chances that it may curb the spread of a cancerous mass and control the return in dogs. Seek advice on the best products and correct dosage with CBD as an alternative therapy.
5. Keep your dog active
Even as your dog struggles with cancer, you must take the appropriate steps to keep it active. Exercise boosts the chances of recovery and also enables the animal to enjoy the remaining lifespan. Please keep in mind not to press the pet too hard for activity. Gentle playtime with pet toys is an excellent option to keep it busy and happy. Low-stress activities that focus on good mobility are ideal for a sick dog. If the dog has bone cancer, prioritize easy walls because the condition elevates the risk of fractures. Even as you keep the animal active, ensure that it gets ample rest breaks between the exercise sessions.
6. Consider ways to handle your pet’s anxiety
Cancer is a challenging disease to deal with, even for animals that hardly understand the implications. You can expect to see canine anxiety besides the pain and physical symptoms. It is vital to have a strategy to deal with dog anxiety so that you can keep the animal happy and comfortable. Once again, CBD can come to your rescue by treating canine anxiety naturally. Spend as much time as possible with the pet and never leave it alone because loneliness causes separation anxiety. Know the triggers such as lightning, thunder, and firecrackers. Try to eliminate them from the pet’s life. Reassuring words and petting go a long way with anxiety relief.
7. Be mentally prepared for the battle
Remember that life will not be the same after your pet gets diagnosed with cancer. You have to be mentally prepared for the battle because the road is long and arduous. Recovery may or may not happen, so you must be ready to face the worst. Get the best vet for the pet because they will give the proper treatment and recommendations for the canine. The idea of losing your canine companion can be torturous, but you must learn to cope with the emotions. Consider investing in safety and care aids for the animal because it will need them eventually. You may even have to admit it to a care center for end-of-life care, so have an emotional and financial plan in place.
Going the extra mile with love and compassion is vital as it helps a suffering or dying animal. You may have to make some rough decisions towards the end of the animal’s life, so let love guide you and support you all the way. The best you can do for your dying pet is to give them all the care and comfort you can.
