Scottish Terrier: bladder cancer and the role of herbicide-treated lawns
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
A Scottish Terrier that regularly spends time on herbicide-treated lawns is exposed to a risk factor now well documented by veterinary research for a breed already predisposed to bladder cancer. Find all our health pointers in the dog care and grooming section.
Contents · 4 sections
What the landmark US study shows
A study by Glickman, Raghavan, Knapp, Bonney and Dawson, published in 2004 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, compared 83 Scottish Terriers with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to 83 control Scottish Terriers to identify associated environmental factors (see the study). Dogs exposed to herbicide-treated lawns or gardens carried roughly seven times the risk of developing this cancer compared with unexposed dogs, with the association remaining clear even after adjusting for combined insecticide exposure.
Reducing exposure day to day
- Avoid freshly treated lawns, especially in the hours and days following a herbicide application, when contact with residue is highest.
- Rinse paws after every walk on a lawn of unknown treatment history, to limit residue ingestion during later grooming.
- Favour untreated areas for regular walks, since the breed is statistically more prone to this cancer than the average dog.
Spotting the signs and planning for the budget
Blood in the urine, or frequent or painful urination in an adult Scottish Terrier, should prompt a swift check-up, since this cancer is markedly more common in the breed than in most others. Diagnostic follow-up and often extended treatment come with a cost that dog health insurance taken out early can help offset. Find the full breed profile on the Scottish Terrier page and browse all our guides on the dog hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scottish Terrier the only breed affected by this cancer?
No, but it ranks among the breeds where this bladder cancer is most frequently diagnosed, which is why particular vigilance matters day to day.
Should all contact with treated grass be avoided?
A one-off contact isn't alarming; it's mainly repeated exposure to regularly treated lawns that raises the risk according to the study.
Is this bladder cancer treatable?
Early management improves the prognosis, which is why a swift vet visit at the first unusual urinary sign matters in this breed.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.