November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, and this one hits a little closer to home for me. If you know my dog, Zero, you know he’s basically my child. He’s 11 now, living his best senior dog life, and has also managed to give me more than a few heart attacks over the years. Not literally, but if you’ve ever found a random lump on your dog, you know the feeling.

Zero has had mast cell tumors, a type of skin cancer, twice. He’s undergone two surgeries, and we’ve had more than 10 spots to keep an eye on over the years. So when I say I’m a little obsessive about checking him for new bumps, there’s a reason.

The Year Zero Became Frankenstein

Three years ago, Zero had his first cancer surgery exactly one week before Halloween. Perfect timing, right? Between the stitches and his post-surgery appearance, we started calling him Frankenstein. Not exactly the Halloween costume I had planned for him, but he pulled it off.

All jokes aside, seeing your dog go through surgery is tough. Especially when you hear the word cancer. Thankfully, Zero made it through, but we’ve had to deal with mast cell tumors a second time since then. And if there’s one thing the experience taught me, it’s that not every lump is something to panic over, but every new lump deserves attention. Another thing I learned during Zero’s recovery? Keeping the house clean is just as important as keeping him comfortable. After surgery, the last thing you want is dirt, dust, and pet hair collecting around the areas where your dog is resting, especially while an incision is healing. Keeping their recovery space clean, their bedding fresh, and their activity limited can help support a smoother recovery.

If you have multiple pets like I do, you know how quickly the floors become a disaster. A robot vacuum can be a lifesaver for keeping up with everyday messes without adding another chore to your plate. Speaking of which, we’re giving away a Roomba this month! It’s a pretty perfect addition to a pet-friendly household, whether you’re caring for a recovering pet or just trying to keep up with the daily shedding.

Not Every Bump Is Cancer

Here’s something I didn’t realize before going through this with Zero: dogs, especially as they get older, can develop fatty growths called lipomas. Lipomas are generally benign tumors made up of fat cells. They’re often soft, movable under the skin, and can slowly grow over time. Zero has developed some fatty lumps, too. The difference is that, with his history, I don’t automatically assume a new bump is just another lipoma.

Mast cell tumors can be tricky. They don’t always look scary. Some are small, some resemble harmless fatty growths, and others can change size or become irritated. That’s why having your veterinarian examine a new growth is so important. A simple test called a fine-needle aspirate, where a small sample of cells is collected, can often help determine what you’re dealing with.

What I Look for During Our At-Home Checks

Checking Zero for lumps has basically become part of our regular routine. While petting him, giving him a bath, or just hanging out on the couch, I’ll run my hands over his body and pay attention to anything that feels different.

A few things worth watching for:

• New lumps or bumps, even if they’re tiny.
• Existing growths that get bigger or change shape.
• Redness, swelling, bleeding, or irritation.
• Areas your pet suddenly seems sensitive about.
• Unexplained changes in appetite, weight, or energy.

I also think it’s helpful to take photos of anything new and keep track of where it is, we also now have a chart in his file to keep track of where ones were before and where Lipomas are at. That way, you’re not trying to remember whether something was the size of a pea or a grape three weeks ago.

And remember, this applies to cats, too. Our feline friends can develop abnormal growths and benefit from regular at-home checks.

What About Diet and Supplements?

After going through cancer twice with Zero, I’ve become much more mindful of his overall wellness. A good-quality, nutritionally balanced diet is a priority for me, especially as he’s gotten older. He also always got a special post-surgery meal. I also use a CBD balm and mushroom supplements as part of his wellness routine.

There are a lot of conversations surrounding supplements and cancer support in pets, particularly medicinal mushrooms. While some are being studied, the evidence is still limited, and supplements aren’t proven to prevent or cure cancer. For all I know it could be a placebo effect. CBD products also come with safety considerations, so it’s important to discuss them with your veterinarian before use, including topical balms that pets could lick off.

For me, it’s about being thoughtful with what I give Zero, keeping him comfortable, and making informed decisions with his vet. Nothing replaces proper veterinary care, regular examinations, or recommended treatment.

I know how easy it is to find a bump and think, Oh, it’s probably nothing. And sometimes, it really is nothing serious. But having been through two cancer surgeries with Zero, I’d much rather have his veterinarian tell me it’s another harmless fatty lump than ignore something that needed attention.

November is a good reminder to spend an extra few minutes checking your pet from nose to tail, stay on top of wellness appointments, and pay attention to those little changes. After all, they’re family. And if a few extra minutes of attention can help us catch something early, it’s worth it. Here’s to more healthy years, fewer unexpected vet visits, and hopefully no more Frankenstein Halloweens for Zero.