Can Plant-Based Diets Stop Cancer In Dogs?
Summary
- Diet directly influences a dog’s health, with chronic inflammation being a key risk factor for cancer.
- Plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are linked to lower cancer risk in both humans and dogs.
- Studies show that regular vegetable consumption can reduce cancer incidence, even in genetically predisposed breeds.
- Plant-based diets help maintain a healthy body weight, lowering obesity-related cancer risks.
- High fiber and antioxidant content in plant-based foods reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, protecting cells from damage.
- Wild Earth’s plant-based recipes are formulated to support long-term health with clean ingredients, omega-3s, and essential nutrients.
What we feed our dogs directly impacts their health — more than most pet parents realize. Diet isn’t just about calories or taste; it can influence inflammation, longevity, and even disease risk. In fact, chronic inflammation is one of the primary risk factors for cancer in both dogs and humans. And diet plays a major role in controlling it.
At Wild Earth, we’ve always believed in feeding with purpose — choosing clean, plant-based ingredients that nourish, protect, and support long-term health.
The Link Between Diet and Cancer
In humans, research consistently shows that plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can help reduce the risk of several cancers such as colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. This protection likely comes from the combination of lower fat intake and higher levels of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which collectively reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
While research in dogs is still developing, studies are showing promising results. Dogs who consume fruits and vegetables regularly may have a lower risk of cancers like lymphoma and bladder cancer. For instance, a 2005 study found that Scottish Terriers who ate vegetables at least three times a week had a significantly reduced incidence of bladder cancer.
What Is Cancer and What Causes It?
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissues. It can affect almost any organ and arises from a combination of genetic, environmental, dietary, and inflammatory factors.
Let’s look at how a plant-based diet may help reduce several of these risk factors.
1. Genetic Predisposition
Some breeds are naturally more prone to certain types of cancer. For example:
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German Shepherds are predisposed to hemangiosarcoma.
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Scottish Terriers have a higher likelihood of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
While genetics can’t be changed through diet, a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet can help support cellular health and immune defenses — giving predisposed breeds the best fighting chance.
2. Environmental Factors
Environmental toxins — such as pollutants, pesticides, and thirdhand tobacco smoke — can increase cancer risk in pets. Thirdhand smoke (the residue that settles on surfaces) is actually more carcinogenic than first- or secondhand smoke.
Interestingly, a study found that regular consumption of green leafy and yellow-orange vegetables reduced the risk of bladder cancer in Scottish Terriers, even when exposed to environmental toxins. While diet can’t change the environment, it can equip your dog’s body to better resist damage caused by harmful compounds.
3. Obesity and Cancer Risk
In humans, more than 1 in 20 cancer cases are linked to being overweight or obese. The same holds true for dogs — between 20–60% of dogs are overweight, putting them at risk for inflammation and cancer. How? Excess fat tissue increases growth hormone production and inflammatory signaling, which can promote cancer cell growth.
Plant-based diets naturally support healthier body weight. A 2022 survey of 100 dog guardians found improved weight management and overall health in dogs fed vegan food. Another 2023 long-term study confirmed that dogs maintained stable body weights and even showed reductions in body condition scores (a measure of obesity) after one year on a plant-based diet.
4. Dietary Factors
In the U.S., diet accounts for roughly 30% of all cancer cases in humans. Studies show that vegetarian and vegan diets can lower cancer risk, while processed meats are associated with increased incidence.
Why?
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Meat, particularly processed meat, can contain carcinogenic compounds such as heterocyclic amines and nitrates.
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Toxin bioaccumulation is higher in animal tissues due to environmental exposure and industrial farming.
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Plant-based diets, on the other hand, avoid these carcinogens entirely while providing a wealth of protective antioxidants and phytonutrients.
In dogs, similar principles apply. By feeding whole plant ingredients, pet parents can help reduce the exposure to dietary toxins and promote long-term cellular health.
5. Chronic Inflammation — The Silent Trigger
Chronic inflammation is the body’s prolonged immune response to stress or injury. Over time, this can damage tissues and lead to diseases like cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and allergies. Diet plays a major role here. High-fat, low-fiber diets promote inflammation, while plant-based diets are rich in fiber and antioxidants that can calm it.
Fiber feeds the beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs strengthen intestinal cells, reduce harmful bacteria, and help regulate immune response. When gut balance (microbiome) is disrupted, inflammation spreads systemically, potentially fueling tumor growth (see Arrazuria et al., 2018). Antioxidants, abundant in plants, neutralize free radicals — unstable molecules that damage DNA and trigger cancerous mutations (Li et al., 2016). By feeding foods high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients, you can help protect your dog from chronic inflammation and its long-term effects.
Why Wild Earth Chooses Plants?
At Wild Earth, we don’t just make dog food — we make science-backed nutrition for longevity. Our plant-based recipes are formulated with clean, high-quality ingredients that provide the essential nutrients your dog needs without the carcinogens and toxins found in meat-based diets.
Each formula includes:
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Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and fiber
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Guaranteed omega-3 fatty acids to combat inflammation
- Complete, balanced nutrition for all breeds and life stages
We believe prevention starts in the bowl. A thoughtfully crafted diet can make a real difference in your dog’s long-term health and happiness.