Can Dogs Smell Sickness Like Cancer?

Dogs are the most adorable and faithful companion of humans. No matter if there will be none with you, but your four-legged friend will always be beside you even in the darkest of night. Sniffers by nature, dogs are more than curious to explore the world and surroundings with their nose. It’s no big secret that dogs have an excellent sense of smell, certainly much better than our human noses. In the era where technology has emerged to an ultimate level, we still have this simple kind animal with incredible powers that can dwarf a machine’s ability.

A dog can be a simple companion for us but the evolving troubles have adopted dogs for more than just their friendship. Let’s know how.

Much More Than A Pet

An experimental Biology Meeting was organized from April-6 to April-9, 2019 at Orlando, Fl. Junqueira was all prepared to present the research at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting, one of the events that took place in the Experimental Biology Meeting.

Dogs possess 10,000 times more accurate smell receptors than humans that make them highly sensitive to odors that we can’t perceive. According to the latest study, dogs can use their highly evolved sense of smell to pick out blood samples from people with cancer with almost 97% accuracy.

How a dog’s nose functions?

The human nose works as a respiratory and scent detective device. Unlike humans, a dog’s nose separates those two functions. On part of their nose is dedicated to respiration while another part is taken to regions just to scent. A dog can continuously smell while it breathes and exhales. If this isn’t enough sniffing power, a dog has a secondary smelling organ called Jacobson’s organ.

Junquiera’s Study

Healthier Junquiera, the lead researcher at the BioScentDx, performed a study. Junquiera along with her colleagues used a form of clicker training to teach four beagles (a short-haired black and brown dog with long ears and short legs) to distinguish between normal blood serum and samples from patients with pernicious lung cancer, according to Science Daily. Although one beagle was unmotivated to perform, the other three dogs correctly identified lung cancer samples 96.7% of the time and normal samples 97.5% of the time. Moreover, Junquiera said that “Although there is currently no cure to cancer, early detection offers the best hope of survival”.

Junquiera also mentioned that this research paves the way for further research along with two paths, both of which could lead to new cancer detection tools. “One is using canine scent detection as a screening method for cancers, and the other would be to determine the biologic compounds the dogs detect and then design cancer-screening tests based on those compounds”.

As a result, BioScentDx plans to use canine scent detection to develop a non-invasive method of screening for cancer and other diseases. Moreover, BioScentDx isn’t the only lab that offers scent based on cancer detection. But, Junquiera warns consumers to do their research before making the choice, saying other companies may lack the science and data to support their claims.

 

Top Reasons Why Meditating With Your Cat is Beneficial

From the hectic work schedule to the household chores, your life is aligned with the hush-hush of responsibilities. People crave to find their solace in the chaos of life. Hence, there is a traditionally trusted technique called meditation that helps to detach from the knots of a stereotyped and stressful life. Meditation is a great way to calm the storms within you. The more deeply and regularly you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting from a center of inner peace.

Meditation has a great influence on your cat’s well-being as it has on you. Hence, considering the significant influences on you and your pet, it is highly beneficial to have a mutual meditation practice. In addition to feeling more relaxed, meditating with your cat also serves you with many other benefits.

Here are the benefits you and your cat will enjoy during shared meditation practice.

Read More: Complications That Overweight Dogs Have

Ignites Mindfulness

Cats are uncontrollable creatures. They like to do whatever they want to, but when you sit to meditate, you can notice your cat also sitting beside or curling up in your lap. Cats are the masters of focus and one can surely witness that when they meditate. Though cats may get distracted for a moment, they do possess a great ability to regain their focus. Thus, your cat can teach a lesson of mindfulness and bring the lighthearted mood to sessions.

Degrades Stress

Whether there is a stress of meeting your work targets, the stress of fulfilling your family expectations or the stress of coping with everyday life problems, meditating with your cat works as a great stress buster. All you need to do is put away the stress-ball and squeeze on to your furry ball. Having your cat around while meditating, keeps you in a haze of happiness. Your brain generates the happy chemicals called oxytocin and prolactin that reduce stress and adds up feel-good factor.

Intensifies Safety & Trust

When you meditate, you naturally calm yourself down and your energy center opens and realigns. That energy is much more than the physical body as it takes you to gain a level of calmness also in your mind and soul. It creates an environment where you and your pet can communicate or achieve a powerful level of peace. You and your furry companion will feel more grounded by following this meditation practice. Moreover, this practice will invoke a sense of security in your cat and will also strengthen the trust in your relationship.

Uplifts Your Daily Routine

That cute creature in your house can be a cure for many of your health problems. No matter how hectic your routine may be but your cat’s habit to live a structured life will be an ultimate motivation for meditation. Pet parents are likely to be healthier; moreover, meditating with their pet keeps them lively. Following a session of meditation, every morning is a great way to boost your energy levels and kick start your day with an uplifted mood.

Read More: Social Benefits of Summer Dog Walks

Strengthens Communication

Meditation increases the synchronization and efficiency of your nervous and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, when you meditate with your cat in silence, it creates an aura of synergy. Your cat can feel the message of your heart at the vibrational level. Another way to connect with your cat is to place your hand on the chest area and feel their breath. Then, as long as you are comfortable, try to match your breathing pattern to theirs. This will strengthen the bridge of communication between you and your pet.

Helps To Get Outside

Animals are instinctively aligned with the rhythms of nature. They generally do not prefer to stay indoors all day long. No matter what, they will always be ready to go out with you. They might even drag you outdoors in the fresh air to meditate early in the morning if you deny following their daily routine. Escaping from indoors actually changes your mind and makes you more focused. So, having

an animal that always needs a daily dose of outdoor meditation will constantly encourage you to step There may be many interesting ways to spend time with your cat but meditating together is one of the most meaningful things you can do. It is very beneficial to meditate in the green grass and fresh air with your pet but you need to pay heed on the dangers of fleas and ticks that are ever ready to haunt your cat. Thus, to protect your cat from flea and tick infestation, you can use preventatives like Frontline Plus, Advantage for cats, etc. these products are easy to administer and have a great efficacy against parasitic infestations.

Read More: FAQs on Worm Infections in Dogs

Natural Ways of Getting Rid of Fleas

There are a plethora of pet products that get rid of fleas, but due to some reason, a few pet parents are skeptical about using such products. Perhaps the reason could that these products contain chemicals or maybe because these products can emit certain side effects. Whatever may be the reason; we totally understand these pet parents. Thus, there ought to be an alternative for this; which is, getting rid of fleas the natural way. Eliminating fleas naturally is as good as using chemical products minus the side effects and hefty costs.

 Getting Rid of Fleas the Natural Way

Keeping the above in mind and helping you curb your expenses; the following natural ways of getting rid of fleas can be opted.

• Nothing Like A Good Old Bath – Whether you prefer flea products or natural remedies to treat fleas, giving your pet a bath is a must. Infect, it is a necessity. Bathing your pet at least once a week helps keep his fur in top shape and also washes away fleas that cling onto the fur (that’s if your buddy has fleas, of course). Though baths don’t normally get rid of 100% fleas, they are pretty effective.
• Brush Fur Using A Flea Comb – Another natural way of brushing fleas away is to use a flea comb. These teethed combs help in the removal of fleas from the pet’s body. Furthermore, flea combs work better after bathing your pal because the wet fur helps in fleas dropping off easily. Moreover, flea combs should be used at least three to four times at once for better results.
• Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse – After bathing your pal, an apple cider vinegar rinse is something pet parents can opt for. Apple Cider Vinegar balances your pet’s pH and that’s something fleas loathe. So, rinsing your pet with Apple Cider Vinegar after its bath can help flea fleas away.

Here’s how you can make the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse:

• Mix 4 ounces of warm water with 6 ounces of apple cider vinegar.
• Add ¼ tsp of sea salt and shake the contents thoroughly.
• Spray the liquid all over your pal’s fur, excluding the eyes.
• Add ½ tsp (per 25lbs) of this solution to your buddy’s meal every day.

While getting rid of fleas in your pet is important, taking measures to keep your house environment clean is equally important too. Ensure that you vacuum thoroughly and do whatever it takes to keep your home flea-free. This will go a long way in preventing flea re-infestations in your buddy and at the same time, protect you as well.