Swiss Scientist Tackles the Dog Cancer Epidemic with Organic, Human-Grade Dog Food

ZURICH - Nov. 18, 2025 - PRLog -- As nearly 50% of dogs over the age of 10 die of cancer, according to veterinary sources, cancer is now the leading cause of death in dogs (Veterinary Cancer Society). This alarming statistic spurred cancer researcher and food-industry innovator Maria De Bettencourt into action, and ultimately led her to found LOONAWELL, Europe's first ultra-premium, Swiss-grade, human-grade and organic food and supplement line for dogs.

The Problem: Hidden Dangers in Conventional Pet Food

• For many dog owners, reading a pet food label provides little clarity. Common terms like "meat meal" and "animal derivatives" obscure exactly what's inside the bowl, and may fail to deliver the nutrients needed to support long-term health.
• As a cancer researcher, De Bettencourt found this deeply troubling. She believes that poor nutrition is one of the key drivers contributing to the high cancer rates in older dogs.
• She searched for a food line that would provide real nutritional value, avoid harmful preservatives, and support dogs' health in ways that go beyond what's typically found in kibble or mass-market diets. But she couldn't find anything that met these standards. So, she decided to build it herself.

The Solution: LOONAWELL

• LOONAWELL is a Zurich-based company that produces dog food and supplements at human-food quality, using only Swiss-sourced ingredients.
• Every recipe is crafted by chefs in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists, ensuring both taste and scientifically balanced nutrition.
• LOONAWELL's products are made without synthetic preservatives, and are formulated to supplement health, not just fill a bowl.
• The entire line is organic, transparent, and certified to the same rigorous safety standards as food for people.

A Powerful Statement

Maria De Bettencourt isn't making symbolic gestures, she eats LOONAWELL's dog food on stage, not as a stunt, but as proof of her commitment: if she's not willing to eat it, she won't feed it to her dogs. Her mission is clear: to close the gap between what pet food claims and what it actually delivers.

Why It Matters

• With cancer affecting nearly half of dogs over 10, pet owners and veterinarians are searching for ways to reduce risk, and nutrition is increasingly seen as one of the most controllable factors. Pet Cancer Foundation+2Dogs Naturally+2 (https://petcancerfdn.org/pet-health/cancer-101/overview-a...)
• LOONAWELL's approach of combining scientific rigor, culinary quality, and full ingredient traceability offers a new paradigm for how we think about pet food.
• By raising the bar on transparency and sourcing, LOONAWELL is not only innovating, it's building a movement that asks: if our dogs are family, shouldn't we feed them like family?