Cancer is an insidious disease that can hit you when you least expect it. Unfortunately for our furry friends, they can also fall victim to the disease and are unable to communicate that they are in pain or sick.

To help keep our pets healthy and happy, you will want to learn the signs and symptoms of pet cancer, know what to do, and try to keep them comfortable in their hour of need.

Know the Signs

Signs such as lack of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, constant coughing, and difficulty breathing are all symptoms of a potentially serious illness. If you see any of these signs, it is time to schedule a vet visit as soon as possible.

In the meantime, you will want to be gentle with your pup and give them plenty of veggies and fruits along with their regular food. This will give them more vitamins and minerals to fight whatever they have and they will be happy to get such a tasty treat. Once you are at the vet, be sure to talk about any abnormal behavior and possible symptoms. This will help the vet get your dog onto the path of recovery.

Give Greens

As mentioned above, you should give your dog plenty of fruits and veggies to add vitamins and minerals to their diet. They will be thrilled to have “people food” and they will be getting the nutrition they need to fight off any disease. Be sure to give them leafy greens like spinach and kale and plenty of carrots, beans, and peas. You can give this to them raw or steam the veggies for a treat. Either way, your dog will be thrilled.

You can also give your pup herbal supplements. One popular herbal treat for dogs, with or without cancer, is turmeric paste. Turmeric mixed with coconut oil and a pinch of black pepper is a wonderful treat for your dog. The coconut oil will give them essential vitamins and minerals and the turmeric and black pepper have been used for hundreds of years to relieve achy joints and help fight cancer. While this is not scientifically proven, it doesn’t hurt to try.

Keep Them Comfortable

Whether they are going through recovery, are generally sick, or on their way to the rainbow bridge, you should make your dog as comfortable as possible to accelerate the healing process. Still, try to keep them active and eating regularly, but also give them plenty of time for naps and snuggles.