Question:
I have an older cat with gastric lymphoma currently undergoing chemotherapy.I want to start her on a natural homemade diet with supplements ASAP but Ido not have access to a holistic vet. All advice and recipes are welcome andwill be most appreciated.

Answer: The objective of a cancer diet is to take advantage of the differencesin metabolic needs between the cat and the tumor. The food's caloricdistribution should emphasize calories originating from fat and protein,rather than from carbohydrate, because fatty acids and amino acids arenot the preferred fuel source for most tumors. A diet that containsreduced carbohydrate and elevated fat and protein may supply a readilyavailable source of energy, meet the cat's protein needs, and limit thesupply of carbohydrate to tumor cells. Dry food usually contains >35%carbohydrate and therefore should be avoided.

A food that contains ~50% of total calories from fat, ~50% of caloriesfrom protein, and the remaining proportion of calories, if any, fromcarbohydrate is recommended for cats with cancer. In addition toshifting metabolism away from carbohydrate and toward fat, anotherbenefit of feeding a high-fat diet to cats with cancer is the increasedenergy density and palatability of these foods.

Speak to your vet about supplementing your cat's diet with Omega-3 fattyacids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA). There is an increasing body of evidence showing that this familyof fatty acids limits tumor growth. Studies in animal models haveshown that supplementation with EPA and DHA prevents cachexia andmetastatic disease. Although the underlying mechanism is not completelyunderstood, the effect appears to be related to the incorporation oflong-chain omega-3 fatty acids into tumor cell membranes. This altersmembrane fluidity and permeability, making tumor cells more susceptibleto both chemotherapeutic agents and the host's own immune system. Thereis also indirect evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful inpreventing the recurrence of cancer after remission has been achieved.

Nutritional needs for cats with cancer are highly specialized and dietsshould be designed on and individual basis - specifically for your cat.Metabolic changes associated with cancer vary between cats and must beconsidered while formulating a diet. This is merely a guide, I suggestyou consult a nutritionist or oncologist to design an appropriate dietfor your cat.