Dog Cancer Knowledge Base

These knowledge base articles are the core of DogCancer.com. Every article is carefully vetted. Each one is researched, written, and medically reviewed by at least four independent experts (veterinarians, cancer researchers, and science journalists. The result is organized, easy-to-understand explanations of everything relating to dog cancer. Whether you need to find out more about a prescription drug, a supplement, a food, or a medical procedure, these knowledgebase articles will give you medically sound, nuanced, and complete information. We update articles regularly, so you can always rely on the information you find.

Latest Articles

Chlorambucil is often used in metronomic protocols for dogs with cancer.

Chlorambucil

Chlorambucil is a chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive drug that is often used in conjunction with a steroid. It has been used with metronomic dosing, which is daily or every-other-day low dose administration over time. read full article

Holistic veterinarians and cancer specialists work together more than you might assume. Integrative medicine is where veterinary professionals are headed.

Holistic Veterinarians and Cancer

Consulting a holistic veterinarian, or an integrative veterinarian, can provide some insight into non-traditional treatments, which may support more traditional medical treatments or quality of life. read full article

A diet that includes chicken for dogs with cancer is sure to please your pup and pack them with delicious protein.

Chicken for Dogs

As a meat that’s considered tasty to dogs and packed with lean protein, chicken is a great option and arguably a must-have item in your dog’s diet. read full article

Berries for dogs with cancer is a wonderful way to pack in nutrition.

Berries for Dogs

Tasty, versatile, and chock full of nutritional compounds that are well-scientifically supported as having anti-cancer properties, berries are a great go-to food item to supplement your dog’s diet. read full article

high fiber foods often serve as prebiotics for dogs: foods that feed a healthy gut microbiome.

Prebiotics for Dogs

Prebiotics help build and maintain healthy microorganism communities in your dog’s digestive tract to help boost their immune system. read full article

Some tumors respond to radiation therapy for dogs.

Radiation for Dogs

Radiation is a cancer treatment method that can shrink tumors or kill lingering cancer cells left behind by other treatment methods. It's also great for pain control. Radiation can extend your dog’s life and also... read full article

veterinarians may recommend stereotactic radiation for dogs who have inoperable tumors.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Dogs

Stereotactic radiation therapy is a treatment option for tumors that are hard to reach or cannot be removed surgically, with less damage to normal tissues and fewer treatment days needed compared to traditional radiation therapy. read full article

hospice for dogs is not about giving up, it's about treating for life quality in the final stage of your dog's life.

Hospice for Dogs

Hospice for dogs is about focusing on treating your dog for quality of life rather than curing an illness. Veterinarians are trained to guide owners through home hospice care, and there are also veterinarians who... read full article

Lymphoma In Dogs

Lymphoma -- also called lymphosarcoma -- is one of the most common cancers in dogs. There are over 30 different subtypes of lymphoma in dogs that show a wide variety of behavior, but many of... read full article

Testicular Cancer in Dogs

Testicular cancer is slow to spread and can be easily treated with low-risk surgery, giving it an excellent prognosis. read full article

Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs

Medicinal mushrooms have been used in human medicine for thousands of years. They can also offer health benefits for dogs. Medicinal mushrooms can deliver a boost to your dog’s immune system, help them cope with... read full article

Prednisone for Dogs (Prednisolone)

Prednisone is a type of glucocorticoid that is used to treat many different medical conditions in dogs from skin disease to cancer. This medication is particularly effective at reducing inflammation which can help reduce discomfort... read full article

hemangiosarcoma in dogs, what are end stages of hemangiosarcoma in dogs, stage 1 hemangiosarcoma in dogs, symptoms of hemangiosarcoma in dogs, hemangiosarcoma in dogs treatment

Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs

Hemangiosarcoma is a frightening and devastating cancer of the blood vessels. Even so, if you can get through the initial crisis, there are treatment options available that can give you more time with your dog... read full article

Thyroid cancer in dogs is uncommon, but has promising treatments.

Thyroid Cancer in Dogs

Thyroid cancer in dogs is uncommon. If your dog is one of the unlucky ones who develops a cancerous thyroid tumor, there are several promising ways to effectively treat this cancer. read full article

Are eggs good for dogs? Yes, they are.

Eggs for Dogs

Eating chicken eggs (or the eggs of other poultry) including the white, yolk, and shell can add many key nutrients to your dog's diet at a very low cost. read full article

More often veterinarians are comfortable using CBD for dogs with cancer if they are in pain or have anxiety.

CBD for Dogs with Cancer

Cannabidiol (CBD) can be a great addition to your pet’s home care routine, especially in a hospice case. It can help reduce side effects of chemotherapeutics and reduce inflammation. read full article

Brain tumors in dogs can occur in any breed

Brain Tumors in Dogs

Brain tumors are typically benign, growing slowly and only rarely spreading to other areas of the body. However, they grow within the confines of the skull which can cause many serious neurological symptoms. Neurosurgery, radiation... read full article

Boston Terriers are at elevated risk for mast cell tumors.

Mast Cell Tumors In Dogs

Mast cell tumors are a common type of skin cancer in dogs. They range in severity from small, localized tumors that can remain stable for years to malignant cancers that can quickly spread throughout the... read full article

Your dog has cancer, and you feel overwhelmed. Welcome to the pack!

Coping When Your Dog Has Cancer: Finding Strength and Hope

Finding out your dog has cancer can fill you with uncertainty and throw your world into chaos. It can be overwhelming to decide the best course of action for your pet that will maximize your... read full article

Dog Cancer Remission

Remission is the word that every person who loves a dog with cancer wants to hear – it means that your dog is responding to treatment. read full article

Chronic inflammation and cancer are linked, so reducing inflammation is often a good idea.

Inflammation and Cancer

Chronic inflammation is a sneaky foe that can easily go unnoticed. Understanding chronic inflammation and its relationship to cancer in dogs is crucial to helping you safeguard your dog's health. read full article

a sweet older dog with orange-brown fur and a white muzzle showing patches of fur missing, as a way to illustrate hair loss in dogs.

Hair Loss in Dogs (Alopecia)

Hair loss in dogs is uncommon in dogs with cancer, and even if your dog does experience this side effect, it won’t impact his quality of life. read full article

Can Plastic Cause Cancer in Dogs?

Plastic use is ubiquitous throughout our daily lives, but plastics can be packed with some hard-hitting chemicals known to be dangerous for human (and canine!) health. Even concerted efforts to minimize plastic use and make... read full article

Multivitamins for Dogs

A high-quality multivitamin can help bridge the gaps in nutritional needs missing from your dog’s diet, providing them with the metabolic and immune system support necessary to fight cancer. read full article

Commercial dog food can be healthy for dogs, with reservations.

Commercial Dog Food and Dog Cancer

Commercial dog foods are a convenient option for dog lovers and may be a good fit for your dog with cancer. read full article

You can use mung beans for dogs with cancer as a great immune boosting food.

Mung Beans for Dogs

These legumes are not only a great addition to your dog’s diet as a source of low-carbohydrate vegetables and dietary fiber, but they may also boost the immune system and are a good part of... read full article

Cruciferous veggies like cauliflower for dogs with cancer are packed with potent cancer-fighting properties.

Cauliflower for Dogs

Cauliflower is a superfood that’s low-calorie, readily available, and packed with some promising compounds that may help resist and fight cancer as well as improve the therapeutic outcomes of chemotherapy. read full article

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage for dogs with cancer is a great idea.

Cabbage for Dogs

A powerful food filled with vitamins and antioxidants that offer some anticancer benefits, cabbage for dogs with cancer is a good idea. read full article

Providing bell peppers for dogs with cancer is a great idea. They're packed with antioxidants and even have anti-cancer properties.

Bell Peppers for Dogs

Bell peppers are packed full of health benefits. They are actually a fruit, although many think of them as a vegetable. They are safe to feed your dog and contain many vitamins and antioxidants. read full article

An excellent low-carb source of energy, oatmeal for dogs is tasty, too.

Oatmeal for Dogs

Oatmeal is an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. It is inexpensive and adds many nutrients including antioxidants to your dog's diet. It can also be used as a soothing bath additive. read full article

the connection between grain free dog food and heart disease is not as solid as first suspected. It may not be grains, but legumes that are the culprit.

Grain Free Dog Food and Heart Disease

Grain free dog food is not necessarily low in carbohydrates, and has been linked to heart disease in dogs. Is it the lack of grain, or the presence of other sources of starch? read full article

Is there a raw food diet for dogs with cancer?

Raw Food Diet for Dogs with Cancer

Raw diets are great for some dogs, but a totally raw diet can expose your dog with cancer to potentially harmful pathogens. read full article

a great choice for protein, venison for dogs is very nutritious, lean, and less likely to trigger allergies.

Venison for Dogs

Venison is a nutritious, low-fat protein source for dogs that comes from antlered game animals like deer and elk. It is an excellent source of important vitamins and minerals and can help senior dogs, overweight... read full article

Veterinarians recommend sardines for dogs with cancer for many healthy reasons, but also because they are delicious.

Sardines for Dogs

Sardines are small-bodied fish with big health benefits. They’re nutrient dense, packed with compounds known to have anticancer properties, and are a tasty treat easily added to your dog’s cancer fighting diet. read full article

Salmon for dogs with cancer is an excellent source of protein and nutrition.

Salmon for Dogs

Salmon is a popular dietary item full of healthy compounds like omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and astaxanthin that can benefit your dog when given in healthy fully cooked portions. read full article

Is lamb good for dogs? Yes, and dogs love it.

Lamb for Dogs

Lamb is a great alternative protein source to feed your dog which has many health benefits. Lamb has a high nutritional value and is rich in vitamins and minerals. read full article

Is a ketogenic diet good for dog cancer? Maybe, for some, for a short while, but there are lots of considerations.

Ketogenic Diet for Dog Cancer

A high-fat, low-carb diet that nearly eliminates glucose from your dog’s body, giving their cancer cells fewer sugar molecules to thrive and feed off of. Too good to be true? This diet does come with... read full article

Can dogs eat pork? Yes, and they love it!

Can Dogs Eat Pork?

Pork is a readily available protein source that can provide nutritional benefits to your dog when prepared and fed safely. Pork is available in many commercial diets as a source of amino acids and important... read full article

Can dogs eat fish? Yes, they can, and happily will!

Can Dogs Eat Fish? Yes!

Adding cooked fish to your dog’s diet in moderation is a great option to add omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can decrease inflammation and protect against cancer in dogs. Be sure to cook the... read full article

Beef for Dogs

Beef is a readily available protein source that, when included as part of a balanced diet, can help counteract muscle wasting and weakness in dogs with cancer. Bonus: most dogs love to eat it. In... read full article

Mammary tumors in dogs can occur in any breed, but cocker spaniels are at elevated risk.

Mammary Tumors in Dogs

Mammary tumors in dogs are the equivalent of breast cancer in humans, but unlike our breast cancer, they are not as aggressive as other cancers. Mammary gland adenocarcinoma in dogs generally responds well to treatment,... read full article

Osteosarcoma in Dogs

Osteosarcoma in dogs is an aggressive bone cancer. It is a scary and devastating diagnosis, but there are treatment options available that can extend and improve the quality of your dog’s life. Osteosarcoma in dogs... read full article

Stomach cancer in dogs is very rare, but chow chows have an increased risk.

Stomach Cancer in Dogs

Stomach cancer in dogs is very rare and has a poor prognosis. However, if caught early enough, surgery to remove the stomach tumor can often provide months to years with a good quality of life. read full article

Acrylamides are carcinogens formed during the Maillard reaction when food is heated at high temperatures.

Acrylamide in Dog Food

Acrylamides are cancer causing compounds created during high temperature food processing. While the risks are being established for human acrylamide exposure, less is known about levels in dog food and potential effects on their health.... read full article

There are foods dog should not eat, and that includes char-grilled meats.

Foods Dogs Should Not Eat

We always want to feed our dogs the very best diet, but there can be ingredients and by-products in their food that may cause or worsen cancer and other health issues. Thankfully there are ways... read full article

Radiographs (X-Rays) for Dogs

Radiographs, or x-rays, are a safe, fast, and painless diagnostic tool in the battle against canine cancer. read full article

You can use shiitake mushrooms for dogs with cancer, giving them as a supplement or in food.

Shiitake Mushrooms for Dogs

In addition to their excellent nutritional value, shiitake mushrooms have been shown to have many medicinal uses including cancer-fighting properties. read full article

It's important to use discernment when evaluating scientific evidence. One of our experts explains how scientists do it.

Evaluating Scientific Evidence

Scientific evidence is the bedrock of progress. Scientific ideas are only valid if they can be tested, and testing involves accumulation and evaluation of evidence. The one thing that all scientists in all fields follow,... read full article

pain management for dogs must be tailored to your dog's situation.

Pain Management for Dogs

While pain is often along for the ride when it comes to cancer care, there are many options and recent advances to help owners manage this challenging side effect. read full article

There are only a few viruses that cause cancer in dogs.

Viruses That Cause Cancer

Cancer and its development are complex and multifactorial. In dogs, there have only been a few documented associations between viruses and tumor development. As a dog owner this is encouraging, because it means that most... read full article