Cancer in Pets: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
November marks both National Pet Cancer Awareness Month and Senior Pet Health Month. A cancer diagnosis is never easy, but being informed can help families make confident decisions that honor comfort, dignity, and their pet’s best interest.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer occurs when the body’s cells grow out of control, forming abnormal tissue or tumors. These tumors can invade nearby organs or spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. The type of cancer depends on which cell or tissue is affected, for example, bone, skin, blood cells.
How Common Is Cancer in Pets?
Sadly, cancer is very common in pets. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
About 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime.
Nearly 50% of dogs over age 10 are affected.
Cats develop cancer less often, but their cancers are often more aggressive.
The most common cancers in pets include lymphoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), mammary and skin tumors, oral melanoma, and hemangiosarcoma.
How Is Cancer Diagnosed?
Diagnosing cancer usually requires several steps. Owners may first notice a lump, swelling, weight loss, or appetite change. Your veterinarian may recommend:
Fine needle aspirate (cytology) - taking a small sample of cells for analysis.
Biopsy (histopathology) - removing a whole tumor or a tissue sample for more detail.
Imaging - such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT, or MRI to check for spread.
Bloodwork - to assess organ health or identify cancer-related changes.
Staging tests - to determine if the cancer is localized or has spread to other organs.
Identifying the type and stage of cancer greatly affects treatment options and long-term prognosis.
How Is Cancer Treated?
Treatment depends on the type, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as your pet’s overall health and your family’s goals. Common options include:
Surgery - to remove localized tumors.
Chemotherapy - for cancers that are systemic or have spread, such as lymphoma. Some types of chemotherapy are injections/infusions and some types are oral medications.
Radiation therapy - to shrink tumors, kill local cells that were left over after surgery, or relieve pain.
Some pets can achieve remission or even cure with treatment. Some slower-growing cancers can be managed for months or years. More advanced or aggressive cancers often require a combination of therapies.
Holistic and Supportive Care
When conventional treatment isn’t possible, or to alleviate side effects alongside it, integrative therapies can help improve quality of life. In many cases, we can even extend the expected lifespan with palliative therapies.These may include:
Acupuncture - to relieve pain, nausea, and improve immune function.
Rehabilitation & Laser Therapy - to maintain mobility and reduce discomfort.
Medicinal mushrooms - such as turkey tail and reishi, which support immunity and may have anti-cancer effects.
Herbal medicine and supplements - to support appetite, reduce inflammation and pain, improve immune function, and possibly suppress tumor growth.
CBD and cannabinoids - being studied for pain relief, anxiety reduction, and possible anti-tumor benefits.
Nutritional support - low-carbohydrate, high-antioxidant diets may help slow tumor growth.
Home modifications - ramps, soft bedding, and harnesses can make daily life easier and safer.
These therapies focus on comfort, function, and overall wellness, even when a cure may not be possible.
Evaluating Quality of Life
Monitoring your pet’s well-being helps guide next steps. My free Quality of Life Calculator at comfortpaws.com/resources can help you assess appetite, mobility, comfort, and wellness. Tracking these parameters helps guide decisions, from continuing therapies to transitioning to hospice/comfort care to deciding when it’s time to say goodbye. Of course, your best resource is regular check-ins with your veterinarian to ensure your pet’s needs, and your peace of mind, stay supported throughout their journey.
Final Thoughts
A cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to mean surrender. With early detection, compassionate care, and attention to quality of life, pets can continue to share meaningful, comfortable time with the families who love them most.
Where to Learn More & Get Support
For reliable information and guidance about cancer, visit:
Find a veterinary cancer specialist (oncologist): acvim.org
Veterinary Cancer Society: vetcancersociety.org
FETCH a Cure: fetchacure.org
Dog Cancer Care: dogcancer.com