Cancer in Dogs Cancer in Dogs Dogs suffer from as wide a variety of cancers as people. In fact there is good evidence that the cancer rate in our canine companions may be higher than in people. Although cancer can affect dogs of any age and any breed, certain breeds are more susceptible to some forms of this disease. Age is a definite risk factor in canine cancers.
Cancer is a very complex disease characterized by a disruption of normal organized cell growth.
As in humans, there are multiple causes including viruses, environmental exposures such as sunlight, and genetics. Contrary to rumors, there is absolutely no evidence that pet foods and their preservatives cause an increase in cancer. Spaying a female dog before her first heat cycle will virtually eliminate mammary cancer. If you are not going to breed your dog, spay her early. Great developments have been made in the treatment of canine cancers that remarkably parallel the progress of cancer care in humans.