Science-Backed Holistic Dog Cancer Treatments

When your beloved dog receives a cancer diagnosis, it feels like your world stops. You'd do anything to help them feel better and live longer. It's natural to wonder if there are other ways to support your furry family beyond traditional dog cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

You've probably heard about holistic or alternative therapies for dogs with cancer. But with so much information online, it's hard to know what's helpful and what might even be harmful. 

What Are Holistic Therapies?

Holistic therapies look at your dog as a whole being, not just the disease. These approaches often focus on supporting the body's natural healing processes and improving quality of life. Some people call them "alternative" therapies, but many vets prefer the term "complementary" because these treatments work best alongside conventional medicine rather than serving as a replacement.

Think of it like this: if conventional cancer treatment is the main course, complementary therapies are the side dishes that make the whole meal better.

Separating Myths from Facts

Myth: Natural always means safe

Fact: Just because something is labeled as natural doesn't mean it's automatically safe for your dog. Many plants and herbs can be toxic to dogs, especially when they're already dealing with cancer and taking other medications. Always check with your vet before giving your dog any supplements or herbs.

Myth: Holistic therapies can cure cancer 

Fact: While some complementary therapies can help dogs feel better and may support their overall health, there's no reliable evidence that any alternative therapy can "cure cancer."

Myth: Vets don't know about or support holistic approaches

Fact: Many veterinarians today are trained in complementary therapies or work closely with holistic practitioners. It's important to check with your vet before believing they will immediately shut you down. You may be surprised. 

Myth: If one dog improved with a holistic therapy, it will work for all dogs

Fact: Every dog and every cancer is different. What helps one dog might not help another or could even be harmful. This is why working with professionals who understand both your dog's specific situation and the therapy is so important.

Evidence-Based Complementary Approaches

Some complementary therapies have research supporting their use alongside conventional cancer treatment:

Acupuncture can help reduce nausea from chemotherapy and may help with pain management (Vickery, 2023; Yan et al., 2023). Many veterinary oncologists now recommend acupuncture as part of a complete treatment plan.

Massage therapy can reduce stress and anxiety, improve circulation, and provide comfort. Research in both human and veterinary medicine supports massage therapy for reducing cancer-related pain (Zhang et al., 2023; Lee et al., 2015). It's also a wonderful way for you to bond with your dog during treatment.

Nutritional support through high-quality diets designed for dogs with cancer can help maintain strength and energy. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids can improve quality of life and reduce pain in dogs, including those undergoing cancer treatment (Heinze et al., 2024; Griffiths et al., 2024; Magalhães et al., 2021).

CBD products are being studied for their potential to help with pain, nausea, and appetite in dogs with cancer. Laboratory studies have shown that CBD can reduce cancer cell proliferation in canine cancer cell lines, though more clinical research is needed (Henry et al., 2021). Current research suggests CBD has a generally favorable safety profile in dogs when used appropriately (Di Salvo et al., 2023). However, the research is still early, and quality varies widely between products (Ukai et al., 2023).

Physical therapy and exercise appropriate for your dog's condition can help maintain muscle mass and improve quality of life during treatment (Griffiths et al., 2024).

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious of any treatment or practitioner who:

• Promises to cure your dog's cancer
• Tells you to stop conventional treatment
• Asks for large payments upfront
• Can't explain how their treatment works
• Doesn't want to communicate with your regular veterinarian
• Claims their treatment works for "all types" of cancer

The Best of Both Worlds

The most successful approach often combines the best of conventional and complementary medicine. This is sometimes called "integrative veterinary medicine" (Corsato Alvarenga et al., 2023).

Here's how to make it work:

• Start with your oncology veterinarian. They understand your dog's specific cancer and can guide you toward complementary therapies that won't interfere with treatment.
• Be honest about everything. Tell all your dog's healthcare providers about every supplement, herb, or therapy you're considering or already using.
• Keep detailed records. Track how your dog responds to different treatments, including changes in appetite, energy, pain levels, and overall mood.
• Focus on quality of life. While we all want more time with our dogs, ensuring they feel good during that time is equally important.

Questions to Ask

Before trying any complementary therapy, ask:

• Is this safe to use with my dog's current treatments?
• What evidence supports this therapy for dogs with cancer?
• How will we know if it's helping?
• What are the possible side effects?
• How much will this cost over time?

A Well-Rounded Approach

Complementary therapies can play a valuable role in supporting dogs with cancer, but they work best as part of a team approach that includes proven medical treatments. The goal isn't to choose between conventional and holistic care—it's to use the best of both to help your dog feel as good as possible for as long as possible.

Remember, you're not just treating a disease; you're caring for your beloved companion. The most important thing you can do is work with qualified professionals who understand both your dog's medical needs and your desire to explore all safe options.

Your dog doesn't need you to find a miracle cure. They need you to make thoughtful, informed decisions about their care while showering them with the love and attention that makes every day special. That's something no therapy can replace, but it's the most powerful healing force of all.

References

Corsato Alvarenga, I., Panickar, K. S., Hess, H., & McGrath, S. (2023). Scientific validation of cannabidiol for management of dog and cat diseases. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, 11(1), 227-246. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-081122-070236

Di Salvo, A., Conti, M. B., & della Rocca, G. (2023). Pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of cannabidiol in dogs: An update of current knowledge. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1204526. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1204526

Griffiths, J., Carlisle, C., Metzger, B. T., Tintle, N. L., Jackson, K. H., & Harris, W. S. (2024). The effects of omega-3 supplementation on the omega-3 index and quality of life and pain scores in dogs. Animals, 14(21), 3108. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213108

Heinze, C. R., Burgess, K. E., Barber, L. G., Rassnick, K. M., Post, G. S., Segaloff, R., & Bayle, J. (2024). Effects of a high‐protein, increased‐fibre, dry diet supplemented with omega‐3 fatty acids on quality of life in dogs undergoing chemotherapy. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, 22(1), 2-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12940

Henry, J. G., Shoemaker, G., Prieto, J. M., Hannon, M. B., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2021). The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, 19(2), 253-265. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12669

Lee, S. H., Kim, J. Y., Yeo, S., Kim, S. H., & Lim, S. (2015). Meta-analysis of massage therapy on cancer pain. Integrative Cancer Ther, 14(4), 297-304. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735415572885

Magalhães, T. R., Lourenço, A. L., Gregório, H., & Queiroga, F. L. (2021). Therapeutic effect of EPA/DHA supplementation in neoplastic and non-neoplastic companion animal diseases: A systematic review. In Vivo, 35(3), 1419-1436. https://doi.org/10.21873/invivo.12394

Ukai, M., McGrath, S., & Wakshlag, J. (2023). The clinical use of cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid-rich hemp in veterinary medicine and lessons from human medicine. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 261(5), 623-631. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.02.0064

Vickery, K. (2023). Acupuncture in the veterinary oncology patient. VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education. Retrieved from https://vetgirlontherun.com/acupuncture-in-the-veterinary-oncology-patient-vetgirl-veterinary-continuing-education/

Yan, X., Liu, S., Xu, J., Sun, Y., Zhao, X., & Li, J. (2023). Acupuncture for the prevention of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Cancer Medicine, 12(11), 12420-12433. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5962

Zhang, Y., Wang, S., Ma, X., Yuan, Y., Cheng, H., Lin, L., & Tian, L. (2023). Massage therapy can effectively relieve cancer pain: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 102(27), e33939. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000033939