Obviously it is important for a cancer patient to maintain appetite. A good appetite and enjoyment of food is one of the four criteria of life quality that are considered when deciding on euthanasia. Beyond maintaining body condition and getting proper nutrients, however, there are actual nutrients and nutritional strategies that have anti-cancer properties.

Dogs CAN eat Apples, salmon, pumpkin, beans, Sweet-potatoes, Bananas,Olive Oil, Apple cider vinegar, cottage cheese, Eggs, carrots, yogurt... people foods that are safe for your dog to eat. As a responsible and informed dog lover, you probably know that too much “people food” can make your dog ill or overweight, but there are some human foods that can be safely added to your dog’s meals in moderation to give a nutritional boost to Queenie’s diet and add a bit of variety to her food bowl. Just remember: any additions to your dog’s meals shouldn’t comprise more than 25 percent of her weekly caloric requirement. 

Low Carb Diet

Cancer is particularly efficient at using carbohydrates. The low carb diet theory is that a diet restricted in carbohydrates will be inhibitory to tumor growth. This theory plus work with omega 3 fatty acids has led to the production of Hills N/D diet (N/D stands for neoplasia diet, as neoplasia is the scientific term for cancer). See the next section for details regarding omega 3 fatty acids in the treatment of cancer.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

 What is A Fatty Acid?

Biochemically, a fatty acid is what we colloquially fat. When we talk about different types of fatty acids we are talking about different types of fat. A fatty acid consists of a long carbon chain (say 20 or so carbons in length) with a biochemical acid group at one end.

Saturated Vs. Unsaturated

Each carbon atom has four binding sites. In the carbon chain, two sites will be taken up by other carbons (i.e., the two adjacent carbons on the chain). In a saturated fat, the other two sites are taken up by hydrogen atoms. Saturated fats are typically sold at room temperature (like lard and butter) and are generally of animal origin. Saturated fats are generally burned as fuel by our bodies.

Unsaturated fats have two adjacent carbons held together by a biochemical double bond. These fats are generally liquid at room temperature and are of plant origin (olive oil, corn oil etc.).

Unsaturated fats can be classified as omega three fatty acids or omega six fatty acids, depending on the location of the double bond relative to the acid group at the end of the chain. These types of fatty acids are essential, meaning that our bodies cannot make them; instead, in order to get them we must eat them in our diet. These fats are not burned for fuel. Instead they are used as structural components. The omega six fatty acids are used as the main structural components in our cells. Omega three’s are used in the structure of the retina and central nervous system.

For healthy skin and coat, the diet must contain adequate

omega six fatty acids as these make up the very surface of the skin.

Examples of omega six fatty acids (also called n-6 fatty acids): Linoleic acid, gamma linolenic acid, and Arachidonic acid.

An excellent source would be evening primrose oil.

Examples of omega three fatty acids (also called n-3 fatty acids): Alpha linolenic acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexanoic acid.

An excellent source is cold water fish oils.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer plus they have anti-inflammatory properties. In the study that launched Hills N/D diet, 32 dogs with lymphoma were divided randomly into two groups: one that received a diet heavy in menhaden fish oil and one that received a diet heavy in soy bean oil. Both groups also received chemotherapy with doxorubicin. The dogs that received this omega 3 fatty acid diet went into remission sooner and stayed in remission longer than dogs that received the soy bean oil diet.

Both the low carb and omega three fatty acid therapies are incorporated into some therapeutic diets available only at your clinic, which are canned food and for dogs only.

Should My Dog Use This Diet?

This diet may be of tremendous benefit to a dog with lymphoma but there are a few caveats:

• This diet was tested on dogs who received BOTH dietary therapy AND chemotherapy. If you are planning to use this diet INSTEAD of chemotherapy, keep in mind that the effectiveness of this strategy remains untested.

• This diet is very expensive as food goes but, of course, very inexpensive as cancer therapy goes.

• This diet is frequently found unpalatable by dogs. Remember that enjoyment of food is an important life quality parameter. If a dog eats N/D diet poorly and loses body condition due to poor appetite, it is probably best to use a different diet which is more palatable.

Hollywood Brand Safflower Oil. 

The ingredient that is said to be beneficial here is linoleic acid. There are two major brands of safflower oil on the market: Hain and Hollywood. Apparently Hollywood is the brand with the most linoleic acid and is the brand of choice in this somewhat controversial treatment. In one study using eight dogs with Mycosis fungoides (the skin T-cell form of lymphoma), six dogs achieved remission with no other therapy.

In 1999, at the annual American College of Veterinary Dermatology meeting, two case reports were presented: one dog out of remission for mycosis fungoides after chemotherapy, and the other having had no other therapy for mycosis fungoides. The first dog had a partial response to the safflower oil and the other achieved prolonged remission.

Minimal adverse effects come with the use of this oil (if too much oil is used there is a possibility of pancreatitis but, in general, obesity from the fat is the only problem). Safflower oil is inexpensive and readily available.

So what is the catch? Should all lymphoma patients be on this oil? Safflower oil is an omega 6 fatty acid. Omega 6 fatty acids have been shown in other studies to have properties that actually support cancer growth. At this point, safflower oil seems to be a reasonable option only for mycosis fungoides and not other forms of lymphoma.

Effect of fish oil, arginine, and doxorubicin chemotherapy on remission and survival time for dogs with lymphoma: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study.

Cancer 88[8]:1916-28 2000 Apr 15

The Use of Safflower Oil for the Treatment of Mycosis Fungoides in Two Dogs.

 🐾🌰Adding Oil to Puppy Food🐾🐶

As a responsible pet owner, you may find relief knowing that simple problems may be fixed with simple methods. One of those methods is adding oil to your puppy's food. Oil can help your puppy's body inside and out, but must be used properly to prevent digestive upset. 

Purpose.

A natural remedy, olive oil is a simple addition to your puppy's diet that has lifelong benefits. Not only does oil help relieve constipation, but it can also be good for the skin. Olive oil and fish oil have omega fatty acids that improve your dog's health. Olive oil can even help reduce the weight of obese puppies. It can also help prevent diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and help your puppy live a longer life by preventing free radicals.

Types.

Olive oil and fish oil are two commonly used types of oil that will benefit your puppy's health. Fish oil is available in capsules that can be split. Fish oil is a more expensive option than olive oil and may be harder to find. Liquid fish oil can be found in pet supply stores, which is much handier if you have a large breed dog. Olive oil is rather inexpensive, but you want to make sure to use 100-percent olive oil rather than a mixed oil. You also want to avoid flavored oils. Coconut oil can also be used in puppy food, but can be harder to find.

Quantity.

When choosing fish oil, feed your healthy puppy 100 to 150 mg per 10 pounds. If the puppy is having health issues, up to 300 mg can be mixed with the dog's food. Olive oil can be fed to your puppy ¼ to ½ teaspoon at a time. A dog should never be fed more than ½ teaspoon of olive oil at once, but you can add the specified amount to your puppy's food up to twice per day.

Risks.

Too much of any oil can cause diarrhea. Also, always mix the oil into your dog's food. You should also be cautious with fish oil. Some dogs cannot handle fish oil and develop nausea and vomiting. Both fish oil and olive oil should be stored in a dark, cool area to prevent the oil from going rancid.

🌰🍃8 Reasons to Add Olive Oil to Your Dog's Diet.

live oil, that staple of every kitchen, happens to make an excellent, healthful addition to every dog's food bowl. I know I'm usually touting the benefits of coconut oil, which is another mainstay in my pantry, but let's not forget the oil that comes from olives, too, which has its own fantastic advantages. In fact, why not mix things up? Rotate the oils you sweeten your dog's food bowl with! I like to switch among olive, coconut, and (for the Omega 3 factor so key to senior dog vitality) fish oil by Nordic Naturals. Here are eight reasons to heart olive oil. Bone appetit!  

1. It tastes doggone good.

Few things perk up a boring bowl of dry kibble than a loving spoonful of what dog-loving celebrity chef Rachael Ray affectionately calls EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil) -- especially if your kibble might be, ahem, the tiniest bit stale. Add a dash of cinnamon and turmeric, and you've spiced your dog's meal in grand style!

 2. It helps the eater lose weight.

Whether the portly pepperpot is canine or human, if there are some unwanted pounds that need shedding, olive oil will help grease the weight-loss engine. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil actually encourage pound-melting by breaking down the fat inside fat cells, to get rid of belly fat and reduce insulin sensitivity.

 3. It promotes optimal health.

 Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil prevents and lessens the effects of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It contains oleic acid, in addition to some compounds (squalene and terpenoids) that are believed to be effective in preventing cancer, which kills a staggering 50 percent of dogs over age 10.

4. It defends the immune system.

With high levels of antioxidants -- including polyphenols, vitamin E, chlorophyll, and carotenoids -- olive oil is very effective at arming the body's immune system so it can efficiently fight off disease. That's especially important as we (humans as well as canines) transition from one season to another.

5. It extends canine longevity.  

Dogs don't live nearly as long as we want them to, but nothing looks sadder than a young dog going gray before his time. Olive oil prevents free radical cell oxidation (see above), which can lead to premature aging, so it works to help keep your dog looking as vibrantly youthful as he did in his salad days.

6. It's a brain food.

Olive oil helps prevent the cognitive decline associated with aging in all species, so be sure to serve it to senior dogs at least once daily, to keep their minds beautiful and cloud-free. This is especially important if your dog is a super-smartie, such as a Border Collie, Poodle, or Mensa mutt.

7. It provides an energy boost.

Circulation improves and breathing comes more easily with a daily dose of olive oil -- it helps increase blood flow and, in humans, lessens the effects of asthma. So, by extension, it can be a dogsend for brachycephalic breeds such as the Bulldog, who sometimes struggle to breathe.

8. It's also a beauty treatment.

There's more to olive oil than mere substance -- it's a style statement, too! Long used to beautify human hair and skin, olive oil can do the same for canines. Condition your dog's coat from the inside out with a daily serving, which helps to impart moisture and gleam to even the driest, dullest fur.

OLIVE OIL

It promotes optimal health

Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil prevents and lessens the effects of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It contains oleic acid, in addition to some compounds (squalene and terpenoids) that are believed to be effective in preventing cancer, which kills a staggering 50 percent of dogs over age 10.