Are Water Fountains Good for Cats?

by Britt

Published: June 27th, 2023

Photo credit: Creative Cat Studio / Shutterstock.com

As a cat parent, you understand that our feline friends deserve nothing but the best. This means prioritizing their well-being and identifying potential health risks you can prevent. One such risk you should be familiar with is dehydration. Ensuring your cats drink enough water to meet their daily needs can be challenging. If you’re currently struggling with this, I am here to help.

Check out this article for tips and tricks to encourage your cat to drink more water. Plus, I’ll share why we love water fountains for all pets in our home.

Do Cats Get Dehydrated Easily?

While any pet may struggle with dehydration, it’s surprisingly common among cats. Why? Unlike dogs and other pets, most cats don’t have the desire to drink plain water. Experts say that this can be traced back to their roots.

In the wild, cats are obligate carnivores – meaning they depend strictly on meat for survival. Meat contains high moisture levels, allowing them to obtain most of the water they need through their food. However, the same can’t be said with the shift to commercial cat foods and treats, especially dry kibble. This makes it more important than ever for cat parents to be proactive with hydration.

Signs of Dehydration in Cats

Even if you’re diligent about encouraging your cat to drink enough water daily, it is always possible that they will fall short of their hydration needs. This is further compounded by the fact that several medical conditions and illnesses can increase the risk of dehydration.

Be on the lookout for these signs of trouble:

Panting
Sunken eyes
Dry or tacky gums
Refusal to eat or take treats
Constipation
Loss of skin elasticity
Increased heart rate
Weakness or lethargy

Contact your veterinarian if you notice any warning signs of dehydration in your cat. They may be able to provide you with some guidance for treatment over the phone. Avoid forcing your cat to drink water, especially using a dropper or syringe. These tools can be helpful in some settings, but they also carry the risk that the fluid enters their lungs, causing pneumonia. Consider offering Pedialyte or canned cat food, which contains as much as 80% water.

In severe dehydration cases, you will need to take your cat to the nearest veterinarian or emergency clinic for the necessary medical intervention to avoid serious and potentially life-threatening complications.

How to Check Skin Elasticity

The skin tent test is one of the most effective ways to test whether your cat is suffering from dehydration. To test this, you will take a small piece of your cat’s skin at the back of their neck, between the shoulders, between your thumb and forefinger. Gently pull this skin up and then release it, watching the skin respond. If the skin falls right back down quickly, your cat is properly hydrated.

If, however, the skin remains in a tented position, this indicates that your cat is dehydrated, and you should contact your veterinarian. The longer it takes for the skin to return to its original position, the more severe the dehydration.

One important point to note is that skin elasticity does not remain consistent throughout your cat’s life. As they age, the skin elasticity may decrease, meaning that the skin may remain tented for a short time even when fully hydrated. If you’re unsure or notice tenting in combination with any other warning signs of dehydration, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Common Causes of Dehydration in Cats

Failure to drink enough water isn’t the only potential cause of dehydration. There is also the possibility that this is a sign of a bigger health problem. If so, the only way to treat your cat’s dehydration is first to identify the cause. These medical explanations may be a minor illness or symptom, or they could be a serious lifelong illness that will require proper ongoing management.

Some illnesses or medical conditions that could lead to dehydration include:

Vomiting or Diarrhea: Whether your cat is experiencing a stomach bug or struggling with gastrointestinal problems from a more severe health issue, vomiting and diarrhea cause your cat to lose large amounts of water. Even if they drink normally, losing more water than they can replace will lead to dehydration.
Hot Weather, Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion: As your cat’s body overheats, they will lose excessive amounts of water through sweating and panting to cool themselves off.
Fever: Like the above-mentioned heat-related illnesses, a fever means a noted increase in your cat’s body temperature. As this temperature rises, even if the exterior temperature is cool, the body will respond by trying to cool off and expelling large amounts of water.
Diabetes: If the kidneys cannot keep up with the excess glucose in the body, they will try to eliminate it to balance the system again in your cat’s urine. However, to do this, the body expels large amounts of water carrying this glucose, taking fluids from otherwise healthy tissues.

Other medical conditions associated with dehydration include hyperthyroidism, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, renal disease, or traumatic injuries.

How Do I Get My Cat to Drink More Water?

Like most medical struggles with multiple potential causes, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to dehydration in cats. Instead, you must consider the situation leading up to this point and how to address it appropriately. This often involves a combination of medical treatment for any underlying causes and encouraging your cat to drink more water and improve their hydration levels. But how do you get your cat to drink more water? Here are a few tips and tricks that you can use:

Flavor Your Cat’s Water

Adding a small amount of salmon or tuna juice from the can or a pet-friendly broth to your cat’s water may provide enough temptation to convince your cat to try it. Check the ingredients of any product you choose to ensure it is safe for your cat. Pay careful attention to sodium levels, using only low-sodium or sodium-free products to avoid salt poisoning.

Rehydrate Your Cat’s Kibble

A good practice to get into if you are kibble-feeding your cat is to rehydrate their kibble. This means adding water to the kibble. Alternatively, you can use other forms of moisture, like mixing in canned foods or adding bone broth (homemade or commercially purchased) to your cat’s meal.

Clean Your Cat’s Bowls Daily

Your cat may be bothered by a smell or the presence of dirt and dust in their dish. This can easily be addressed by cleaning your cat’s dish every day. It ensures that they have clean, fresh water available at all times. It is also a great way to remind yourself to fill their dish regularly so that it never runs low.

Ensure Water is Easily Accessible

If your cat must work for their water, they likely will overlook it entirely. This includes traveling too far to find it, contending with obstacles like stairs, or needing to pass through a high-traffic location to get to it. If you’re concerned this may be part of your cat’s challenge, consider placing additional water dishes around the home in their favorite places.

Do you have more than one cat? In some situations, a cat becomes possessive of a water dish, protecting it from other pets in the house. If this is the only water dish currently in place, this would mean one of your cats is restricted from being able to drink at all. If you notice any bullying or resource guarding, consider it a sign that you must make more resources available.

Experiment with Bowl Size, Shape, and Material

Cats can be very finicky, with preferences regarding what dishes they eat or drink from. If your cat is reluctant to drink from the water dish you have given them, consider experimenting with different options. Try a larger bowl or a shallow bowl with a lower side for them to reach over. Try plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic bowl options. With each new bowl, take note of your cat’s reaction to identify which they like best and which they avoid.

Try a Water Fountain

Another great option to encourage your cat to drink more water is to switch from a standard water dish to a water fountain. Some cats refuse to drink still water unless they have no other choice, drinking from running or dripping taps in the house instead of a dish. The water movement in the fountain naturally attracts cats that otherwise may not pay attention to their water dish. They also keep the water fresh and cool, making it more enticing.

Where Should I Put My Cat’s Water Fountain or Dish?

An important consideration when it comes to whether your cat will drink out of their water dish is the placement of the dish and its surroundings.

First, ensure your cat’s water dish is separate from the other “key” areas. Why? Cats naturally don’t want to drink in the same place where they eat or go to the bathroom. This is a survival instinct that dates back to their wild ancestors to avoid drinking water that had been contaminated by their waste or bacteria from their prey. When possible, set these areas up in different rooms from one another. If it’s not possible, at least be sure you are placing as much space between them as possible, given the room available.

You should also take note of any other activities happening in the space. If your cat’s water dish is in a high-traffic room of your home, there may be too much going on to allow them to drink comfortably. Other things to look out for include fans that could create uncomfortable air movement, off-putting smells (even if you think they are pleasant), or other pets in the home with access to that area. Create a space where your cat can enjoy a relaxing drink without interruptions or distractions.

Our Solution: Catit LED Flower Fountain with Triple Action Filter

From a young age, we noticed that our one cat Pippen always preferred moving water. She would happily run over to drink from the water tap each time we turned it on. However, we didn’t want just to leave the tap running all day and night! Before long, our younger cat also seemed to pick up on these habits, and we were searching for a reasonable way to handle this. Our solution was to bring a water fountain into the home and see if they showed the same level of interest.

We chose the Catit LED Flower Fountain for several reasons. First, the flower design on the top of the fountain created multiple streams of water, allowing both cats to comfortably drink simultaneously without having to compete.

Second, we knew this water fountain had a more comprehensive filtering system. It includes a triple-action softening cat filter that helps to remove any dirt, dust, and impurities in the water. If there is any sign of something in her water dish, our cat Jinx turns up her nose. With the water continually moving through this filter, we knew that she would always have clean, filtered water waiting for her, even if we weren’t around to check it several times daily.

After testing a single fountain and watching their response, we have since expanded to add two more. There are currently fountains in the dining room of our home, on a secluded staircase up to the loft where they can hide away from any company and enjoy a drink, and back in the bedroom and office area. This setup has considerably impacted their water intake (in a positive way).

Our cat Jinx drinking out of her Catit LED Flower Fountain.

Pros

Moving water attracts and entices cats to drink more
Water is always fresh and filtered
Cools water as it circulates throughout the day

Cons

More expensive investment, including ongoing filter costs
Take more work to clean than a standard water dishes
Can only be set up in areas where you have access to a power outlet

Final Thoughts

As with any potential health risk, dehydration is an important topic that all cat parents should familiarize themselves with. If left unaddressed, it can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications. Luckily, in most cases, it can be easily addressed by making a few changes around your home to the location of your cat’s water dish and the style of dish available. Introducing a cat water fountain with a built-in filtration system is an excellent solution for those cats who are extra finicky about their water. It’s a great way to be proactive and improve your cat’s overall health and well-being.

Britt

Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Indiana and Lucifer – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.

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A lot of emphasis gets put on treats that help keep your dog’s teeth clean, but it is also an important consideration for your cat.

Dog Facial Recognition App Helps Scientists Fight Against Rabies

In countries where dogs aren’t microchipped, don’t wear tags, and usually run free, it’s challenging for authorities to determine which dog has already been vaccinated for rabies. A new mobile phone app could help improve rabies vaccination by identifying dogs using facial recognition technology.A team of researchers from Washington State University tested the app’s effectiveness in a rabies vaccination clinic in Tanzania, where they microchipped, vaccinated, and registered dogs. The idea behind this project is to take a picture of a dog’s face during initial vaccination. Then the picture needs to be entered into the database via the app, along with other important information, such as the dog’s age, sex, and coat color. When veterinarians return to the same area, they will take a facial photo of each dog they come across. If the app finds a close match in the database, it will notify the vet, who can then decide whether the vaccinated dog in the database is indeed the same dog they are currently examining. A vaccination team testing the app visited nine villages in Tanzania, where they photographed and vaccinated 1,420 dogs. After the initial check, 20 images were deemed unusable, leaving exactly 1,400 to work with. All of these photographs were added to the app’s database.Later, a different validation team visited the same villages, assessing 720 dogs via the app, not knowing which dogs were already vaccinated, and entered into the app’s database. Once again, some photos were deemed unusable for the study - 161 were rejected.Using those images, the app helped the team to correctly identify 76.2% of vaccinated dogs and 98.9% of unvaccinated dogs. These findings were confirmed using microchips that were implanted under the dogs’ skin when they were vaccinated, as part of the study.“Because domestic dogs are the main reservoir for human rabies, controlling human rabies globally requires the mass vaccination of dogs,” said Felix Lankester, WSU Associate Professor and the lead investigator of the study. Scientists are working to optimize the app’s registration process to minimize the number of rejected photos. “When carrying out mass vaccination, one of the major problems that we face is trying to identify which dogs have and haven’t been vaccinated. For example, microchips are too expensive to use at the scale needed to eliminate rabies, and collars can be removed by owners. We developed this app to see if facial recognition might work, and it’s showing great promise in helping us achieve that goal,” Professor Lankester added. The facial recognition algorithm used by the app is developed in collaboration with Canadian company PiP My Pet. It identifies a dog by looking at key features of its face and comparing it to previously stored photos of the faces of other dogs. Photos with the highest number of similar features are shown as possible matches, leaving it to the user to pick the right one.The app’s success depends on the image quality and information about each dog being properly recorded. Before unusable images and incorrect information about dogs were removed from the database, users were only able to match around 65% of the vaccinated dogs.For the time being, users must be online to use the app’s facial matching feature, but Lankester and his team are working to make the app operational even offline. “We’re not quite there yet, but I think with the investment, the technology can get there. I am excited by its potential,” Lankester said.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Golden Retriever Nurses African Painted Dog Pups Rejected by Their Mom

The Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, recently welcomed a litter of eight endangered African painted dog puppies. After a rough start, only three puppies survived thanks to an unlikely surrogate mother - a golden retriever named Kassy.The Potawatomi Zoo announced that the pair of their African painted dogs, Bleu and Maurice, had a litter of eight puppies born in late September. However, it was soon clear to the care team at the zoo that the pack would not be able to raise the puppies successfully.“Bleu, an inexperienced mother, was not caring for her pups the way she should have, and Maurice was following her lead,” said the zoo. In their natural habitat, African painted dogs live in large packs with unique vocalizations and social dynamics. All adult dogs in the pack work together to help feed and raise the pups. The success of the birth and raising of the pups can be endangered if the pack doesn’t work together as they should. “We knew within 24 hours that we had to separate them,” the zoo’s executive director, Josh Sisk, told the South Bend Tribune. The zoo’s animal care staff consulted with the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP), a group of zoo professionals who form the breeding plans for this endangered species in accredited zoos across the United States. The staff at zoos usually try to remain uninvolved, letting the packs raise the puppies as they would in the wild. This approach is often successful and helps the pups learn the complex social structure of their species. However, in this case, the decision was made to intervene and hand-raise the litter. Instead of bottle-feeding the puppies, the SSP recommended finding a surrogate dog to nurse the puppies. Within a few hours, the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare connected the zoo with a golden retriever named Kassy, who recently had a litter of puppies and had milk to spare. Kassy and her litter arrived at the zoo a day after the painted dog pups were born and immediately accepted them. The zoo’s staff watched as Kessy nursed and cared for the pups as if they were her own.“It was a crazy first month,” Sisk said. “Our team was there for four weeks, 24/7. We had a mattress next to the dogs.”The zoo’s veterinarian and care team worked around the clock to ensure that all of the puppies, including Kassy’s litter, were getting enough food and time with Kassy. However, despite everyone’s efforts, not all of the African painted dog pups survived. Four weeks after the litter was born, only three puppies remained. The surviving pups were named Blue, Red, and Orange for the colors staff used to track them since they were born. Originally, the zoo planned to reintegrate the pups with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby. However, the adult dogs didn’t show a positive interest in the pups, so the plan was changed. The zoo decided to build a home for the pups next to adult dogs, so they could still learn how to behave like painted dogs. Once the puppies get older they can either be integrated with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby or moved to another zoo.“Blue, Red, and Orange have had an unusual and challenging start to life, but the zoo hopes they will have a bright and successful future,” the zoo shared in a release. “These three healthy, active pups are just the start of this story and the zoo hopes to share more positive updates of their milestones in the future.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Shelter Cat's Brutally Honest Adoption Ad Goes Viral: She Will Own You

Last month, the Humane Society of Washington shared a brutally honest adoption post in which they introduced a cat who is up for adoption. The adoption post, which went viral, describes the feline in question as “a more lively houseplant.”The three-year-old tortoiseshell cat named Quinn arrived at the Humane Society of Washington County in Hagerstown, Maryland, in August as a stray. According to the post, Quinn is currently the shelter’s longest-term cat resident.This is not the first time the shelter advertised Quinn’s adoption. However, since the first post hasn’t helped Quinn find her person, the shelter decided to change tactics with a brutally honest profile.“Do you want a cat who doesn’t want you? Do you crave the feeling of being judged in your own home? Do you need someone who will slap you back into reality without notice? If you answered yes to any of these questions we have a cat for you!” posted the Humane Society of Washington County on Facebook. “Meet Quinn!” the shelter added.The post went on to say that Quinn’s not for everyone. “But surely there’s someone out there who would appreciate her icy stare and her sudden smacks.”Continuing to highlight all of Quinn’s quirks the post said “She has an uncanny ability to make people feel unwelcome in her presence!” This particular trait makes Quinn perfect for people who are tired of visitors and just want to enjoy the peace of their home. Additionally, Quinn isn’t an overly energetic feline. “Quinn only seems to want to play about once a month,” making her an ideal companion for people who aren’t big fans of physical activity.“Quinn is essentially a more lively houseplant, because all she really needs a human for is food, water, and changing her litter,” said the shelter.“If you adopt Quinn you will not be her owner, because Quinn cannot be owned. She will own you, your house, your belongings, and everything you hold dear.” The shelter also noted that Quinn isn’t on the main adoption floor with other felines and must be asked for by name. The feisty feline has taken up residence in an office where she rules with an iron paw. Anyone interested in being “Quinn’s servant” should not have canines or small children in the house. “Quinn would challenge any dog to a fight. For the dog’s safety, it’s best that she goes to a home without any canines,” said the shelter. The Humane Society of Washington County added - “Quinn is like a more physical version of someone yelling ‘Get off my lawn!’ at small children.” - leaving teens and adults as only suitable housemates. “We originally [shared] a conservative post highlighting Quinn’s strengths, but when no one came for her, we decided the best way to find her a home was to rip off the band-aid and just let her true colors shine,” said Collin A. Berry, executive director of the Humane Society of Washington County, to Fox News Digital. Soon after Quinn arrived at the shelter it became clear that she wasn’t a particularly social feline. She didn’t allow any of the staff to touch her for close to a week. After being sedated for an exam, and given a clean bill of health, it became clear that her behavior wasn’t the result of pain or an underlying health condition. “Everyone thought time and space would help, but as it turns out, Quinn is just Quinn,” said Berry. “She’s a lady who knows what she wants and when she wants it.”We’re happy to report that Quinn has been adopted! It turns out honesty is the best policy! Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Jolly Pets’ Annual “#WeGiveaJolly” Campaign Helps Shelter Dogs

Jolly Pets is the brand behind innovative, durable, and unique pet toys that are made entirely by domestic manufacturers – and every holiday season, they make an effort to spread joy, kindness, and love to all the pooches in need. This season, collaborating with 19 influencer ambassadors, they are once again heading their # WeGiveaJolly charitable campaign. Starting from November 28th until December 25th, Jolly Pets will donate a high-quality toy for every single purchase made. The toys will go to rescue dogs at 19 animal shelters in the USA, each represented by the influencer ambassadors, as announced by the marketing director of Jolly Pets, Louisa Casto. "The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs than through the power of play and companionship. Jolly Pets understands the importance of providing joy and comfort to dogs awaiting their forever homes, and # WeGiveaJolly exemplifies our commitment to this cause," said Casto. "We believe that every dog deserves love, care, and happiness regardless of their circumstances. That's why we're excited to kick off our annual # WeGiveaJolly campaign, collaborating with compassionate ambassadors and animal shelters to make a real difference in a dog's life."This campaign will bring true holiday cheer across the country, especially to rescue dogs who are in dire need of some love and compassion.The ambassadors, shelters, and locations are as follows:@guidingeyesfortheblind for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown Heights, NY@goodasgoldens for Canine Companions, Sacramento, CA@Jack_the_Sleeper for Fort Worth North Animal Care and Adoption Campus, Haslet, TX@moosethegoldenretriever for Rescue Village, Russell Twp., OH@cheriethesurfdog for Frenchies United Rescue, Claremont, CA@incredibullstella for Animal Help Alliance, Las Vegas, NV@iheartpgracie for Animal Care Centers of NYC, New York, NY@2rockstarlabs for Crossed Paws Animal Shelter, Woodsfield, OH@koda.laredo for Hoosier Bulldog Rescue, Indianapolis, IN@posies_pocketful_of_praise for Pickens Humane Society, Liberty, SC@ziggy_loving_life for Home Fur Good Animal Rescue, Phoenix, AR@maligator_apollo for PAWS Chicago, Chicago, IL@remingtonpup for Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, Spring, TX@gvl_golden_girls for Dog Squad, Greer, SC@enzo.and.bella for Friends of Detroit Animal Care & Control, Northville, MI@benny.n.lola for Humane Society Silicon Valley, Milpitas, CA@leuleu_theblue for the Pet Alliance Sanford Shelter, Orlando, FL@the.hero.dogs for Hot Mess Pooches, Homer, IL@fosterkittenhq for The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Arlington, VA"By participating in Jolly Pets # WeGiveaJolly campaign, our customers are not only providing joy to their own pets but also extending that joy to shelter dogs waiting for a loving home. It's a small act of kindness that can profoundly impact these dogs' lives," Casto said. "We encourage using the hashtag # WeGiveaJolly on social media to encourage friends and family to participate in this heartwarming initiative."To learn more about the # WeGiveaJolly campaign and to shop for Jolly Pets' durable and innovative pet toys, visit  https://jollypets.com/pages/wegiveajolly-annual-toy-drive.

Scientists Finally Identify Mystery Dog Illness Sweeping America

If you are a dog owner in the United States, you have likely already seen the news reports about the mystery illness responsible for the deaths of several dogs, prompting veterinary professionals to caution pet parents about taking their pets out to public spaces. But we may finally be able to spot the light at the end of the tunnel… Dr. David Needle, pathology section chief at the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire, reported that scientists have finally identified the cause of the illness. While this doesn’t mean that life for our dogs can return to normal immediately, it does mean that they are one step closer to finding a cure and moving past this nightmare. The research article has yet to be published, but the team is sharing their initial findings to provide hope for pet parents and the veterinary community. The pathogen responsible for the mystery respiratory illness is described as “a funky bacterium.” “It’s smaller than a normal bacterium in its size and in the size of its genome,” explained Needle. “Long story short, it’s a weird bacterium that can be tough to find and sequence.” Searching for the cause of this illness wasn’t easy for researchers. Initially, there were no known bacterial, viral, or fungal pathogens, meaning they were searching blind. However, after testing 30 samples from New Hampshire, genetic material from an atypical bacterial species was discovered. The next step in understanding the cause of the illness and working towards a cure (and possible preventative) is to compare these findings to samples from dogs in other states to verify that it is, in fact, the same pathogen in all reported instances. States with possible cases of the disease include: CaliforniaColoradoFlorida Georgia IdahoIllinois IndianaMarylandMassachusettsNew HampshireOregonPennsylvania Rhode IslandVermontWashingtonOne challenge faced by veterinarians is the fact there is no test to confirm that all reported cases are, in fact, the same illness. What Are the Warning Signs?Common symptoms resemble respiratory infections like canine influenza and kennel cough, conditions usually seen in higher numbers at this time of year. Luckily for the human members of our family, there are currently no reports of the illness being transferred to humans. Veterinarians recommend watching out for the following symptoms: Coughing or sneezing WheezingDifficulty breathingNasal or eye dischargeDehydration Loss of appetite Weight loss FeverLethargyHow Can You Keep Your Dog Safe? Until a cure has been identified, dog parents are encouraged to focus on preventative measures. Ensure your dog’s vaccinations are current, protecting them against known respiratory problems. Avoid public spaces like dog parks, doggy daycare, and grooming establishments where dogs may be exposed to the illness. If you must go to a public space, steer clear of shared food and water dishes. Your dog will be just as happy to spend this time playing with you as they would with another dog!If you notice any signs of respiratory trouble or illness, don’t panic. Contact your veterinarian to share your concerns and make an appointment.

Urine Tests Could Now Provide Early Detection of Cancer in Dogs

Cancer doesn’t discriminate – it affects all creatures around the world, including our cherished pets. Learning that your  dog has cancer can be such a devastating thing, but sadly, it is so common nowadays. John Robertson, research professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech says in his interview for  WTOP News  that “one in four dogs will be diagnosed with cancer,” and that “by the time they’re middle-aged, 50% of dogs will die of cancer after the age of 10 years.”Professor Robertson is part of a vast research team that has developed an innovative new noninvasive rapid test that utilizes a dog’s urine and allows potential early detection of cancer. “Usually, when a dog gets diagnosed with cancer, it’s usually quite advanced, with visible signs — we’re trying to detect cancer before these physical symptoms appear,” said fellow researcher Ryan Senger, associate professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. “Cancer is going to change overall metabolism inside the body, and it’s going to change the way the kidneys function, which can be observed in the urine screening process,” Senger added.Through samples of dog urine, the research team discovered that cancerous subjects amongst the observed molecules had a unique “fingerprint” that could be used to indicate the presence of cancer. “We would like to be able to have dogs screened earlier, before cancer develops, throughout their lifetime, perhaps a once-a-year urine specimen,” said Robertson. “That tells us what the molecular fingerprint of the urine is, so if it changes and falls into that realm of fingerprints that define cancer, we’d be able to pay more attention to figure out what’s going on with the dog.”Robertson also added that there are 12 breeds of purebred dogs that have a much higher incidence of cancer. “We’re going to focus on being able to institute early, regular screening that’s going to help pick up earlier when they’re developing cancer, in the hopes that we can get better outcomes.”However, veterinary care is typically subsidized by the owner, Robertson emphasized, which is opposite to medical care, which is often paid for by insurance. “So, we intend to make our tests readily available at a price point that everyone can afford to regularly have their dog examined and screened.”, the professor added. Robertson said that urine screening is currently being researched, to determine whether it could be applied to humans as well, potentially bringing great changes to the discovery of cancer cells. The team’s findings were published in  Frontiers in Veterinary Science and make us very optimistic for the future of preventive veterinary medicine – an inexpensive, accurate way to screen for a potentially fatal illness could be life-changing for so many pets and their owners. Not to mention the implications if such a test could be adapted to be used on humans, as well! 

What Is Scent Enrichment for Cats?

Your cat has a powerful sense of smell that she uses to navigate her surroundings and make decisions, so it’s important to consider your kitty when using scented products around the house and maintaining a litter box that doesn’t have offensive odors.In addition to considering the fragrances that can be off-putting to your kitty, you can also enrich your cat’s environment and make her daily life more fun with scent. Below are some tips on how to use scent enrichment to keep your furbaby happy.

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