Cancer is on the rise in our canine companions and it's our duty to help prevent it.
Almost every dog owner and lover have known a dog affected by cancer, which is no surprise as 1 in 2 dogs will develop cancer at some point.
The three main causes are seemingly poor nutrition, carcinogens in pet food and around the home, and poor breeding.
Canines, like other carnivores, struggle to digest most of the fillers in commercial dog food such as grains & starches and as such are not able to absorb the nutrients present in the food. Keeping your canines on a grain-free, low carb diet is best, preferably raw. Studies in both humans and dogs shows that lack of nutrient-rich food is a major cause of cancer.
Aflatoxins are a carcinogenic, hardy type of fungus. They can very quickly grow on any food that is left to storage but is seen specifically on corn, wheat cereals, rice, and soybeans amongst others.
Many commercial dog foods have had recalls in the past because of the presence of Aflatoxins. Feeding a fresh diet can help avoid this.
Carcinogens can also be found in pesticides, herbicides and insecticides that we use in our gardens. It is very important to always ensure the products we use in our homes and gardens are organic and not negatively affecting our animals (or us).
As cancer can be genetic, buying from breeders who don't screen their dogs for cancer or breed with dogs who have displayed signs of cancer is setting your dog and yourself up for heartbreak. If you choose to get a dog from a breeder, choose an ethical one who screens for health issues before breeding.
