Our companion animals make our lives better. They are proven to make our lives longer. as well. We have dedicated a large amount of research to returning that favour and make their lives longer. too.

You’ve read my many columns about how improving the diets of our pets can improve and lengthen their lives. One of the reasons for doing so is, of course, in hope of avoiding the worst of the potential illnesses – cancer.

We see far too many pets pass either from cancer or with cancer. It is a dreaded but not unexpected diagnosis when dealing with older pets. Some cancers are worse than others, but any cancer diagnosis is serious.

Once a diagnosis is made, the outlook can range from good to very bad. There are aggressive and expensive veterinary treatments and, depending on the type and the progression of the cancer, they can be effective.

There are also many natural protocols that have been being touted to support and fight the advancement of cancers. Some have a lot of research and trials behind them, others have little to no scientific support or history yet are marketed to a vulnerable population.

Many natural immune support products do have proven efficacy and are offered to pet parents to use, along with better diets, to help pets’ immune systems fight back against the disease. While not every case has a positive outcome, it is remarkable how many do.

Until recently, a lot of time and effort has been dedicated to post-diagnosis treatment. We are now seeing products marketed to assist in the prevention of cancers. The supporting research is mainly geared at giving the animals’ systems a better ability to avoid cancer. Of course, there are no guarantees that such products will prevent cancer, but in many cases, we see positive benefits.

I am always using my voice to advocate for cleaner, fresher pet foods. To me, this is the cornerstone of disease prevention. Yes, they can cost more and be less convenient, but there is no doubt from what I have seen that the is the best way of improving our pets’ health and thereby extending their lives. Again, there is no guarantee you will avoid tragic outcomes, but the likelihood of avoidance increases, and that increase can be dramatic.

Supplements to a clean, fresh diet can add to the prevention of disease. Immune boosters, such as medicinal mushrooms, have been shown to be helpful. Many foods have antioxidants, long known to have anti-cancer properties, such as blueberries or acai, leafy green vegetables and nuts. Algae (spirulina or kelp) and phytoplankton also provide antioxidant and nutritional boosts.

There are also blends of many of these ingredients, some specifically formulated after years of research to make administering easy and effective. As always, though, there are knock-offs, or products purporting to be effective, but which have very little of the active ingredients when you read the label. A little research, or a trusted supplier, can make sure you are getting what you paid for.

Cancer is a horrible foe. While clean, fresh foods and selected supplements can reduce the risk, it can never eliminate it. Our beloved animal companions do deserve the best protection against it, for a long and happy life.