Almost half of all dogs over the age of 10 will get cancer. Roughly 20 percent of cats will get a similar diagnosis in their lifetime. Pets are not any more resilient to cancer than humans are. Getting a cancer diagnosis for your pet is heartbreaking. At Wagmo, our pet insurance covers the cost of cancer treatments. We're dedicated to ensuring pet parents get the optimal amount of support during this difficult time.

Cancer Risks in Pets

It is essential to understand that cancer in pets is not unusual. That's why coverage for cancer is standard in most cat and dog insurance plans. It's easy to blame yourself. Cancer is just something that happens to many pets as they age.

Research into the causes of cancer among pets isn't as robust as it is for humans. Possible risk factors for pets may include some of the following:

  • Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke
  • Too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun
  • Exposure to herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides
  • Exposure to other toxic substances like asbestos
  • Viral infections
  • Age

While cancer can happen to any pet, you can still take steps to reduce the risk. First and foremost is trying to keep your pet out of areas filled with toxic substances. Ensure that you keep all potentially dangerous substances secured within the home. For instance, don't let pets play on lawns that were recently sprayed with pesticides.

It's also essential to ensure that your pet is caught up on all their vaccinations. This prevents them from getting viral infections that could leave them vulnerable to certain cancers.

Cancer Care For Pets

When your pet receives a cancer diagnosis, the most important thing is to remain calm. Not every cancer is the same, and not every cancer has the same treatment options. It's vital that you first come up with a series of questions for your vet.

Speaking of vets, your first step should be to find a professional veterinarian oncologist. Likely your current vet should be able to give you a recommendation for a suitable oncologist. They will be able to teach you all the terminology. As with before, never be afraid to constantly ask questions and make clarifications. Your oncologist will be able to recommend what sort of treatments and drugs are needed.

This is the point where you may have to start making treatment decisions. You'll also have to consider whether you want to take part in a clinical trial (if one is available at that time). Take the time to carefully consider your options, and always rely on the experts for advice.

Any cancer treatment for pets aims to prolong life and make that life as comfortable as possible. However, it's normal for treatment to restrict the activities a pet can do. This doesn't mean that you can't spend time with your pet. In fact, maintaining as close to a normal routine as possible is key to making your pet feel like everything is still okay.

And that's really the core of caring for your pet during this difficult time. It takes a careful mix of hope, realism, pragmatism, and love. It also may take a lot of expense to get your pet the best cancer treatment possible. Thankfully with Wagmo, pet health insurance can help cover the costs. This lets you focus on giving your pet the care they need and not on pet insurance details.