Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in dogs and cats, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your pet’s risk. At Onalaska Animal Hospital, we believe prevention starts with informed, proactive care. While not all cancers are preventable, many can be caught early or avoided altogether with the right approach.
Here are five of the most important things you can do to help protect your pet from cancer.
Like humans, pets benefit from yearly wellness exams, even if they seem perfectly healthy.
Why it matters: Many cancers grow silently in the early stages. A thorough physical exam can reveal lumps, swelling, or subtle changes in behavior or appetite that may be early warning signs. Routine visits also allow us to monitor trends over time, making it easier to spot what’s not normal for your pet.
What can happen if you skip it: Without regular checkups, symptoms may go unnoticed until cancer has progressed, limiting treatment options.
Our tip: Keep your pet’s annual appointment on the calendar, and don’t hesitate to come in sooner if you notice any changes in your pet’s habits or health.
A blood test can tell us a lot about what’s happening under the surface — sometimes before your pet shows any signs of illness.
Why it matters: Certain cancers can affect the liver, kidneys, or blood cells, and these changes often appear in lab results before physical symptoms appear.
What can happen if you skip it: By the time physical signs of illness develop, the disease may already be advanced.
Our tip: Ask about adding bloodwork to your pet’s yearly checkup. It’s especially important for senior pets, who are at higher risk for age-related cancers.
Beyond preventing unwanted litters, spaying and neutering can also reduce the risk of several types of cancer.
Why it matters: For females, spaying significantly lowers the risk of mammary (breast) cancer and eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancers. For males, neutering prevents testicular cancer and may reduce the risk of prostate problems.
What can happen if you skip it: Unspayed female dogs have a one-in-four chance of developing mammary tumors if not spayed before their first heat. In males, testicular tumors are entirely preventable by neutering.
Our tip: Spay or neuter at the age your veterinarian recommends. Timing can be important based on your pet’s breed, size, and health history.
Obesity increases inflammation and has been linked to a higher risk of certain cancers in pets.
Why it matters: Excess body fat can produce hormones and growth factors that promote the development of cancerous cells. It also makes it harder to detect lumps and bumps under the skin.
What can happen if you skip it: Overweight pets are not only at higher risk for cancer, but also for arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
Our tip: Feed your pet high-quality food in the right portions. Treats are fine, but keep them to 10% or less of daily calories. Need help with a weight-loss plan? We’re happy to guide you.
This one’s specifically for our feline friends. If your cat needs vaccines, we recommend PureVax for added safety.
Why it matters: Vaccines are critical for protecting your cat against serious illnesses, but the type of vaccine matters, too. Traditional vaccines often contain adjuvants, additives used to enhance the immune response. While effective, these additives have been linked to vaccine-associated sarcoma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer in cats.
PureVax vaccines are non-adjuvanted, meaning they offer protection without those additives, making them a safer choice for your feline friend. PureVax offers vaccines for:
What can happen if you skip it: Using adjuvanted vaccines, especially over many years, may increase the risk of injection-site tumors. And skipping vaccines altogether leaves your cat vulnerable to preventable, sometimes fatal, diseases.
Our tip: Ask about PureVax at your cat’s next appointment. It offers the same immune protection without unnecessary risk, especially for indoor cats who still need core vaccines or those at higher risk for FeLV exposure.
At Onalaska Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you make informed choices and give your pets the longest, healthiest life possible. Cancer prevention starts with awareness, and we’re honored to be part of that effort with you.
Have questions or want to schedule your pet’s next checkup? Give us a call today. Let’s take the next step together in protecting your pet’s health.
