Just like humans, pets experience cancer and the sad reality is it’s more common than you’d think. Research from the American Veterinary Medical Association shows one in four dogs will experience cancer during their life.

To help you take care of your fur baby, in this article we review the breeds that claim more frequently for cancer, the signs of cancer, average treatment costs and preventative steps you can take to help minimise your pet’s risk.

So what are the common types of cancer in dogs?

According to 2022 claims data from PetSure³ (the brand behind petinsurance.com.au), the five most common cancer types in dogs were:

  • Mast cell tumour
  • Lymphoma
  • Sarcoma
  • Carcinoma
  • Osteosarcoma

Which dog and cat breeds are most impacted?

Any breed of dog or cat can develop cancer, but some breeds may be more at risk than others. In 2022, the breeds diagnosed with cancer the most often, based on PetSure claims data³ were:

Dog breeds that claimed most frequently for cancer, 2022

1.       Bull Mastiff
2.       Boxer
3.       Bernese Mountain Dog
4.       Greyhound
5.       Bull Terrier

Excluding dog breeds with under 5000 policies

For our feline friends, the Abyssinian and the Russian Blue breeds claimed the most for cancer in 2022.

Cat breeds that claimed most frequently for cancer, 2022

1.       Abyssinian
2.       Russian Blue
3.       Siamese
4.       Tonkinese
5.       Maine Coon

Excluding cat breeds with under 2000 policies

So what are the telltale signs I should look out for?

The signs of cancer can vary depending on the location of the body and how advanced the cancer is in the pet. However, some signs of cancer are:

  • Skin: lumps, wounds, ulceration, scabs, or swelling (this is why it’s important to maintain regular grooming so that you can more easily locate any lumps or bumps).
  • Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in stool or vomit, constipation
  • Systemic changes: lethargy, weight loss, changes in appetite, persistent bleeding, breathing changes or difficulties, a sudden collapse, persistent bleeding or swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy).
  • Neurological/Orthopaedic/Musculoskeletal signs: changes to ambulation, activity, incoordination, lameness, other signs of pain, swelling, vision loss or changes or seizures
  • Reproductive/Urinary: changes in urination frequency or volume, mammary swelling or ulceration, testicular swelling, vaginal/penile discharge.
  • Oral signs: Drooling, changes in eating habits, swallowing difficulties, halitosis, losing teeth, masses in the mouth.

So how much does it cost to treat cancer in pets?

PetSure claims data for 2022³ shows total cancer claims for dogs and cats in 2022 was a staggering $25.8 million. The cancer with the most claims for dogs was mast cell tumour, with an average treatment cost of $2,587 while the cancer with the highest claims for felines was lymphoma with an average treatment cost of nearly $4,000.

 Top 5 cancers in dogs and their costs 2022

Cancer Average claim cost Highest claimed Cost
Mast Cell Tumour $2,587 $27,304
Lymphoma $4,725 $32,925
Sarcoma $2,979 $25,480
Carcinoma $3,908 $36,980
Osteosarcoma $4,179 $25,845

 

Top 5 cancers in cats and their costs 2022

Cancer Average claim cost Highest claimed Cost
Lymphoma $3,864 $24,171
Mast Cell Tumour $2,310 $10,764
Carcinoma $4,354 $26,705
Squamous Cell Carcinoma $1,343 $4,642
Adenocarcinoma $2,151 $10,104

So what can I do to minimise the risk of cancer for my fur baby?

A nutritional diet and daily exercise

Feeding your pet a healthy and nutritional diet (and also knowing what foods to avoid) helps maintain a healthy immune system and a healthy weight which can reduce the risk of some cancers. Make sure you also keep up a daily exercise routine to help maintain a healthy weight.

Avoid household toxins

Reducing your pet’s exposure to some household items and toxins including household cleaners, toxic plants, and some human medications can also help reduce your pet’s risk.

Sun protection

Some pets can develop cancers relating to sun exposure, with lighter coloured pets more susceptible to sun damage. Ensure lighter coloured pets have plenty access to shade or an inside area cover them with a t-shirt to help minimise sun damage.

While cancer in pets can be an emotional topic to think about, it’s important to be prepared. Knowing the signs of cancer and the role of early detection and preventative care is key to minimising the risk of cancer for your fur baby.

If you think your pet is presenting any unusual signs, make sure you seek advice from your vet as soon as possible.

References:

¹American Veterinary Medical Association – https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cancer-pets

²National Library of Medicine (2015) – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6314649/

³PetSure claims data (2022)

⁴American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2008) – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02424.x