Preventing the incidence of cancer in our Pets

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Lynne Hudlow

Our Pets experience the same unknown risks for being exposed to cancer-causing substances as we do. Whether they are relaxing with us at home or we take them to the park, our Pets eat our food, drink the same water, and breathe the same air as we do. Not only does our everyday environment contain cancerous risks, but Pets can also be at risk from toxins in their toys or in gardening chemicals. Below are four major cancer-causing substances that affect Pets.

Air: Pets breathe the same air as we do. If there is smoke in the air, it can cause the same type of damage to their bodies as it does to humans. If our Pets are around us while there is cigarette smoke in the air, they will be exposed to the same carcinogens as we would. Since we can see and smell cigarette smoke and other types of smoke, this can make it easy to identify any areas that are a hazard for our Pets.

Water: Our Pets need water just as much as we do in order to live. But just because the water is clear does not mean that it is necessarily safe to drink. The following are some general tips for drinking water based on where you live:

  • If you rely on a city system, your drinking water should be pollutant-free thanks to city processing.
  • Home owners that do not rely on city water and use well water should sample and test the water regularly for pollutants.
  • Avoid drinking from water in rivers, streams, oceans and irrigation ditches if possible. Both domestic and farm pesticides and/or fertilizers can merge with these bodies of water. When enjoying the outdoors, Pet owners should consider bringing their own water for both their Pets and themselves.

Sunshine: Pets enjoy spending time in the sun as much as we do. Reptiles warm themselves, cats take naps and dogs play. But the sun can cause damage to the skin, and possibly cancer, in Pets just like it does in us. If your Pet enjoys time in the sun, you should keep an eye on your Pet’s skin and have your veterinarian check for any growths or abnormal areas. Pets that are more at risk for skin damage from the sun include those with thin fur and light colored skin. The areas of the body that have less fur seem to be more at risk of developing a problem such as the tips of the ears, eye area, around the nose or any balding spots. Sunscreen works for Pets just like it does for us. Speak to your veterinarian about recommended products.

Food: Pets can ingest many things aside from their normal Pet food — human food, toys, leashes, carpet, the outside deck, indoor plants, outdoor plants, etc. Keeping items out of your Pet’s reach that are hazardous or were treated with chemicals is a good plan for reducing risk of illness. However, you may have to monitor your Pets even more closely when these materials are unavoidable, such as the wood decks that might be treated with preservatives or the food and water bowls your Pets tend to chew on.

If you have any questions about your Pet’s current health, contact your veterinarian. To determine what items to tuck away in the house while Pet proofing, some preliminary steps you can take are checking labels on cleaning products (greener options tend to be safer for Pets), look at labels on Pet cushions and any that might be on your Pet’s toys.



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