Brought to you by The Essential Guide to Natural Pet Care for Cats & Dogs: Cancer

More and more dogs are becoming cancer survivors because their pet owners are doing their holistic homework. Here, Drs. Pitcairn, Schwartz, and Goldstein provide ten at-home preventive strategies to help guard your pet against cancer:

1. Provide only pure water. Tap water is often polluted with toxic chemicals such as lead, arsenic, and nitrates. Holistic vets strongly advise using a good-quality water purifier. By getting fresh water (bottled or distilled), you can rejuvenate your pet because it flushes toxins from the body and contributes to the feeling of well-being, says Dr. Goldstein.

If you decide to buy a water purifier, keep in mind that although initially costlier than bottled water, it is much cheaper in the long run, costing only pennies a gallon, says Dr. Pitcairn.

2. If your pet already has cancer, avoid all vaccinations. Vaccinations can stress your pets immune system. For cancer patients, at the very least, avoid vaccinations during treatment because they will counteract any positive and immune-enhancing effects of your home-support program, says Dr. Goldstein. Ask your vet about the homeopathic remedy Thuja occidentalis 30C, which removes the immune-suppressing effects of vaccinations.

3. Avoid indoor pollution. Keep your pet away from cigarette smoke. Studies show that secondhand smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals that can cause lung cancer in humans. It hasn't been shown to be as much of a problem for animals, yet vets still recommend that you avoid exposing your pet to it.

Ventilate your house well to reduce indoor air pollution. Grow houseplants that filter the air such as philodendrons, spider plants, aloe vera, chrysanthe-mums and gerbera daisies, and keep the plants out of your pets reach. Don't use chemicals such as pesticides and household cleaners around the house. Seek out natural products.

4. Avoid contaminated water. Keep your pet away from street puddles, which can contain cancer-causing toxins such as hydrocarbons and asbestos dust from brakes.

You should change your pets water daily. Keep the bowl clean and in a place protected from dust and debris. Most of all, says Dr. Pitcairn, make it available so that your pet will not be tempted to drink from a contaminated puddle, creek, or pond.

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