Raw Diet for Dogs With Cancer
Dogs with cancer need a special diet. A raw diet for dogs with cancer, also called a BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods Diet), includes using whole, raw, natural, unprocessed foods. You can use a raw diet in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
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Basis
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A raw diet for dogs is based on how other dog-related animals, such as wolves, eat in the wild. When wolves kill an animal for food, they first consume the stomach contents of the animal. Afterward, they consume the meat and parts of the bone. The stomach contents, the meat, and the bones, provide enzymes, grains, vegetables, protein and calcium.
Description
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A raw diet for dogs with cancer helps promote a healthy immune system through fresh raw foods. It consists of a mixture of raw meat and vegetables. The theory behind this diet is that commercial dog foods lack the necessary nutrients needed to restore and maintain a dog's health.
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Guidelines
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A raw diet for dogs with cancer should include 75 percent meat and 25 percent fruits and vegetables. If you use bones in the diet, they must be raw because cooked bones splinter, which makes them unsafe. You can use raw chicken, beef, pork or turkey in chunked or ground form. Vegetable choices include broccoli, spinach, celery and carrots. Apples, pears, grapefruits and oranges are some of the fruits you can use. You can mix in cottage cheese and flax seed oil to make the raw mixture more tasty for your dog. You can include other raw foods in the diet.
Effectiveness
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The effectiveness of a raw food diet for dogs with cancer is not scientifically proven; only individual anecdotes from pet owners exist. Since cancer is a serious disease, and every dog with cancer is different, the results will vary. Consult with your vet about starting a raw food diet.
Precautions
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Your dog has more acid in his stomach than humans; the acid boosts his immune system. So the chances of acquiring diseases from the bacteria in raw meat is lower for dogs. In contrast, dogs that are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments will have a weakened immune system, which will be more susceptible to bacteria. Accordingly, if your dog is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, consult with your veterinarian about the risks of a raw food diet.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Ramona smiers from Fotolia.com
