Ketogenic Diet To Treat Cancer
Ketogenic Diet To Treat Cancer
There is increasing talk about a ‘new’ diet in people that is showing impressive results in treating cancer in people, and it may help with our pets.
The diet specifically eliminates carbohydrates, replacing them with healthy fats and protein.
As in NO kibble to be fed to your dogs or cats.
The underlying science of this is based on research which shows cancer cells thrive on sugar (glucose), and as the primary source of glucose is carbohydrates, eliminating these kills the cancer cells.
This is not a new concept in that the Canine Cancer Diet by Dr Greg Oglivy also dramatically lowers carbohydrates- this diet though is unique in the amount of fat.
Dr. Dominic D’Agostino is an assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
He claims that a low-carb, high-fat, calorie-restricted ketogenic diet literally starves cancer cells.
In an interview on the examiner he said: “We’ve found that diet therapy can be effective in prolonging survival in mice with aggressive metastatic cancer,”
These same anti-cancer properties have also been observed in human cancer patients and reported in published studies. The cancer-fighting ketogenic diet “formula” is roughly 75% fat, 23% protein, and 2% carbs.
Dr D’Agostina notes that it is the underlying inflammation from these high carbohydrate diets that promotes cancer, but also other diseases such as diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s.
Currently there is a research group called Ketopet which presently formulates ketogenic diets for dogs and cats with cancer as part of the “Pet Cancer Trial” Their website is at petcancertrial.com
In researching this article, I have yet to find a published dog or cat ketogenic diet.
But in formulating it you are attempting to increase the fat ( up to 75%), maintain the protein levels ( at 25%) and eliminate the carbohydrates.
Here is some of what the diet would include.
1 cup of ground beef, fish or poultry, spiced with turmeric, salt substitute
Cook the protein in olive oil or coconut oil
1 cup of cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
Flax seed 1 teaspoon per 10lbs
Flax oil or fish oil- you want a dose equivalent to 1000mg of EFA/10lbs
A HUMAN daily vitamin-mineral supplement (one dose for animals over 20 pounds, ½ dose for animals under 20 lbs)
A calcium carbonate source – about 250 mg per 15 pounds of body weight
The above recipe would make enough food to feed a 40lb dog for 1 day ( 1 cup in the AM, 1 cup in the PM)
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
P.S. Here is a video discussing the ketogenic diet.
Hello
I have been searching on the internet for a cancer diet for cats, looking at your website and was wondering if this new diet ketogenic is good for cats? Is cheese good for cats?
My cat has just been diagnosed with colon cancer and l’m desperately trying to find a home cooked recipe for him.
Hoping you can help.
Kind regards
Christine Rose
A low carb, higher fat ketogenic approach is an area of interest in cancer nutrition because some cancer cells rely on glucose, but it’s not a guaranteed cure and every cat is different.
Cheese can be okay in small amounts for some cats, but it shouldn’t be the main diet. With a home cooked cancer diet, it’s important to make sure your cat is getting all essential nutrients like taurine, calcium, vitamins, and minerals.
Does this recipe really need to be cooked? I’ve been feeding raw and have avoided cooked. Can whole yogurt be substituted for cottage cheese or ricotta or is that too acidic? My dog has just been diagnosed with lymphoma and has been on grain free kibble and raw throughout her life with me past 6 years.
The recipe does not have to be cooked, but cooking can make it easier to digest and reduce bacteria risk, especially for dogs dealing with cancer. Plain whole yogurt can be used, but it is not a direct substitute for cottage cheese or ricotta and should be introduced slowly. Wishing your girl lots of love and good days ahead.
Yes, I need a lymphoma diet too for my labrador.
Definitely need more detail. Someone please help.
The recipe can be cooked or adapted for raw feeding if that is what you prefer. The key focus is low carbs, quality protein, and healthy fats. For lymphoma, we’d recommend tailoring the diet to your Lab’s specific needs, as there is no one size fits all approach. Wishing your pup the very best!
My dog has been on low fat diet due to pancreatis, is this going to hurt him or make him become diabetic/
A low fat diet is commonly recommended for dogs with pancreatitis and does not cause diabetes. The key is a balanced diet that fits your dog’s needs. With a history of pancreatitis, we would be cautious with higher fat diets and always make changes gradually with your vet’s guidance.
you all need the recipe for your dogs & cats go to help@ketospetsantuary they will give you the recipe once you give the info on your pet they will send you the exact amount of what you need to feed your pet by the weight of your pet also ask about what other supplements you need for the raw diet
Nutrition can be a powerful part of supporting our pets, especially when we are looking at conditions like cancer. A properly balanced ketogenic approach may help some pets, but the recipe and nutrients need to be right for each individual dog or cat. We always recommend working with a veterinarian who understands your pet’s specific needs, especially with raw or therapeutic diets. Feeding the bowl is only part of the picture, getting the balance right is the key.
20 yo female cat has tumor in bladder… 1/4 in size… right now she is on anti inflammatory med… OstiLox for 2 weeks now… it says only for dogs but my vet has cats on it and says they do well n I understand it’s was just approved for cats in Europe? Also was on antibiotic for infection n blood in urine. She’s eating.. not straining to pee as frequently as before, doesn’t show signs of discomfort.. her diet is kinble and wet canned ??…she was constipated but giving her somethg forcthat n it seems to be helping… she has lost weight but she was a little chunky to start…she has arthritis in back hind hips n knees…thank you
For bladder tumors, we focus on comfort, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall health. A lower carb, higher protein and healthy fat diet may be worth discussing with your vet, as cancer cells can use glucose for fuel. Many pets with cancer do better moving away from kibble and toward a balanced wet or fresh food diet.
my dog has just been diagnose with a cancer many tumors on prostate and lungs… my main problem is that he doesn’t eat…so ketodiet yes but how can I do???
With cancer, getting calories in is the first goal. A ketogenic approach focuses on low carbs, quality protein, and healthy fats, but make changes slowly.
Try small frequent meals with foods like cooked meat, fish, eggs, and added healthy fats like fish oil. Warming the food slightly can also help tempt appetite.
With prostate and lung tumors, we’d also want to make sure pain, nausea, or another issue isn’t stopping him from eating. Sending love to you and your pup.
I have a 19 year old white true albino cat that is suffering from a thyroid problem now and cancer again on his ears whats left of his ears and now in order to save him cause the cancer is trying to get in the canal and the vet says he will have to cut off the rest of the ear! OMG im terrified for my poor baby! I dont want him to suffer! So im going to try the diet that has been offered on this site! Thank you for this! Please pray for my little buddy! His thyroid is getting better and hes put some weight back on. My vet says for 19 yrs old he looks very good! So im guna try this keto diet mixture and hope we can beat this cancer ear stuff! I also take the keytones by pruvit myself! Amazing product!!! Everyones needs to give it a try! God Bless everyone!!!
A low carb, ketogenic diet may help support some pets with cancer, but please keep working with your vet, especially with ear tumors. At 19 years old, he sounds like a very loved and special guy. Sending healing thoughts your way.