How to Take Care of Your Dog With Cancer

You’re petting your dog and cuddling, having one of many bonding moments. All of a sudden, you feel a lump.

This is every pet owner’s worst fear. While we hate to think of our dogs dying or getting a serious illness, it does happen. And there’s a chance your dog may get cancer. In fact, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over 10 years old.

If you have a dog with cancer, you can still make their final years some of their happiest. Here’s how to care for a dog with cancer.

Visit the Vet

The very first thing you should always do is see your vet. Your vet will give your dog the proper diagnosis and will recommend a treatment plan. They may also recommend specific treatments you can do at home.

Your vet should have excellent communication and will be there to answer any questions you have. They may teach you the signs your dog is in pain so you’ll know when you need to take more powerful measures.

Decrease the Symptoms

There are many types of cancer in dogs and there may be a chance that you can’t cure your dog with cancer treatments. Fortunately, you can decrease the symptoms they experience so they feel more relaxed. Some of the symptoms that dogs with cancer experience include odors, loss of appetite, wounds, urinating frequently, coughing, and pain.

Talk to your vet about what you can do to decrease your dog’s symptoms. There are some things you can do at home to relax doggo and make them happy. Give them a bath and use aromatherapy shampoo that’s suitable for dogs. Give your dog their favorite food. Talk to your vet about giving your dog NSAIDs or dog-friendly supplements. CBD oil for dog lymphoma may also be beneficial.

Always inform your vet if your dog is showing abnormal symptoms, such as bleeding, coughing, and frequent urination.

Assistance Products

Once cancer sets in, your dog will become a completely different pup. They may become a sick dog, won’t be able to play like they used to, may spend all day sleeping, and may even skip long walks. You can help your dog be as comfortable as possible by investing in certain assistance products.

If your dog is skipping long walks, they may have accidents in the home. Use doggy diapers. They won’t mess up the house and won’t feel guilty about having an accident.

There are various tools out there that can help with dog mobility. Ramps help dogs go up and down stairs but can also assist your dog when they walk in and out of cars. If your dog sleeps with you, put a ramp on the bed so they don’t have to jump. If your dog has trouble walking, talk to your vet about getting a dog wheelchair.

Help a Dog With Cancer

It can be extremely difficult to care for a dog with cancer. Follow this advice to improve your pet’s quality of life, even if their cancer isn’t curable. Continue reading our blog for more advice!