Worrying about canine cancer isn’t something that many pet owners really do. After all, not many humans really take the time to think about the ailments that affect their furry friends, especially if their pet has not been diagnosed with that disease. Yet, canine cancer claims the lives of thousands of beloved, loyal, and caring pets every year. It’s a disease that will eventually kill 25% of all dogs. Since it is an extremely lethal illness, veterinarians have done their best to trace what causes canine cancer in our lovable pets.
Breed
Certain breeds are more prone to canine cancer than others. Breeds which have a lot of genetic problems, such as dalmatians, tend to have higher cancer rates than others. Getting a “mutt” or a crossbreed is an excellent way to avoid being the owner of a cancer-stricken pet.
Healthy Diet
Diet is one of the biggest sources of canine cancer that is currently known. This is because a lot of the commercial pet foods on the market are made using substandard ingredients. In some cases, the food is made out of animals that are sick or dead. In the worst cases, there are carcinogenic chemical additives in the food that makes the food itself poisonous in large quantities. This is why most pet experts suggest weaning dogs off pet food, and offering them a raw food diet with human grade meat instead.
Environment
Being in an area which has a high level of pollution will always increase the rate of cancer that people and animals experience. Having known carcinogenic chemicals in your pet’s environment will likely contribute to the chances of your pup getting canine cancer. Carcinogenic chemicals are found in many cleaning agents, as well as insecticides.
Not Spaying Or Neutering
There has been a lot of research that suggests that spaying your pet can reduce the chances of cancer. Though having puppy-making parts is not a cause of canine cancer, it is a part of the body that tends to absorb carcinogenic chemicals quickly. It’s a good idea to spay and neuter your pets if you are worried that they might be prone to canine cancer.
No Exercise
Sedentary lifestyles have a tendency to lead to many different health problems, even in dogs and cats. This is because exercise helps eliminate a lot of the toxins that build up in bodies over the course of a lifetime. Pet owners who want to keep their pets as healthy and happy as possible are encouraged to help their pets get a top notch workout at least once every 2 days.
Hereditary History
If your puppy is a pedigree pooch, it’s quite possible that you could find out whether or not your pet is prone to canine cancer by examining his pedigree. This is because cancer is similar in both animals and humans in the sense that it is hereditary. If your dog’s mother had perished due to a form of canine cancer, it’s quite possible that you will hear that diagnosis as well some time in the future.
There are many different sources that can contribute to the onset of canine cancer. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog has as little risk of falling to this illness as possible. After all, your pet is a part of your family.