Protect pets from cancer

From environment to diet, every choice we make shapes our pets' health and resistance to illnesses

- Nameeta Nadkarni

Keeping your pet's weight in check is important.

(ISTOCKPHOTO)

Every November, cancer awareness messages flood our social media feeds. We think of humans first, but pets suffer from cancer too. It is one of the most common life-limiting diseases in older dogs and cats, yet many families are unaware that everyday living can influence risk. Cancer prevention is about understanding where risk lies and making steady choices that protect health.

Excess weight is an easy yet very big risk to overlook. A round dog or cat may look cute, but fat is biologically active. It releases inflammatory chemicals that interfere with normal immune surveillance and make it easier for damaged cells to survive. Keeping weight in check is not dramatic. It is measured meals, accurate calorie intake, fewer casual treats, and daily movement.