🔬 Science Proves Dogs Feel Pain Differently

In Today’s Email:

• The Correlation Between Dog Breeds and Pain Sensitivity.

• “AirBnBackyard”: dog parks get a first class experience.

• “The Squeeze” aka The Internet’s Best Dog News in 60 seconds.

• The Last Laugh: What we’re laughing with. Not at.

Does a Dog’s Breed Affect Their Pain Sensitivity?

“Oh he’s just being a baby”…right? Maybe not.

Recent research by North Carolina State University has revealed unexpected disparities between perceived and actual pain sensitivity across different dog breeds.

The structure of their study: If we take 15 dogs of 10 breeds rated as high, medium, and low sensitivity and test their sensitivity thresholds, would we see differences, and if so, would they be consistent with what veterinarians believe?

So, veterinarians have predisposed assumptions when it comes to breed pain sensitivity? Apparently…

So, did NC State choose the same breeds?

Yep. This is about validating medical assumptions made about the breeds. They took about 15 dogs from each of the breeds shown above to ensure a large sample size and data pool. A total of 149 dogs participated in the study.

How’d they test pain sensitivity? They didn’t hurt them?! Did they?!

No no. They used methods methods used in human clinical medicine, but don’t take our word from it. Hear it from the horse’s mouth:

"Reactivity to external stimuli is a measure commonly used in neurology and pain clinics for humans," said Duncan Lascelles, professor of translational pain research at NC State and co-corresponding author of the work. "We have adapted these measures for pet dogs and used them in this study."

Each dog's sensitivity to pressure and temperature was tested by pressing a pressure tool (think of both ends of a ball point pen—pointed and blunt) then a warm thermal probe against the top of the back paw. The stimulus was withdrawn immediately when the dog moved their paw. Each test was repeated five times and the results were used to measure sensitivity (see below).

Significant differences in ear and tail positions during specific activities were also observed between dogs in pain and those not in pain. According to the researchers, “ear and tail positions can give clues to predict emotions and such as pain, stress, and fear that the dog experiences.” Dogs in pain tended to lower or partially lower their ears during activities like getting up, going up or down stairs, and jumping on or off furniture.

The researchers found that there are real breed differences in pain sensitivity thresholds, but that those differences don't always match up with rankings from veterinarians.

For example, Maltese tended to have a high sensitivity threshold, or low pain tolerance, which meant they reacted quickly to pressure and temperature stimulus. This finding was in line with how veterinarians ranked them.

However…

…veterinarians also thought Siberian huskies were highly sensitive—but test results placed huskies in the mid-range. In fact, several of the larger breeds veterinarians ranked as sensitive actually had an average-to-high pain tolerance.

So, this was just meant to shove it in veterinarian faces? Big deal.

Not exactly. The findings of this study suggest that biological differences exist in pain sensitivity between dog breeds, emphasizing the need for individualized treatment approaches.

Imagine: a tailored treatment solution for your dog based solely on his/her breed?

We’re all about the long term health and wellbeing of our animals, and medical practitioners honing in on individualized strategies for each of their patients needs to be the future.

We’ll get there.

Cop Nicknamed “The Muffin Man” After Heroic Rescue 🧁

Death to Dog Parks? Welcome to the AirBnB for Dogs.

[Insert dog park complaint here] - it’s okay to vent. We get it.

Dog parks can come with their run-of-the-mill nuisances: unvaccinated canines, empty poo bag dispensers, and, of course…small talk with other humans.

An exciting breakthrough has emerged in the world of pet-centric hospitality, introducing a game-changing way for your dog to privately frolic. Dubbed the "Airbnb for dog parks," SniffSpot provides pups with a haven to romp and play, all while granting homeowners the opportunity to rake in some extra cash.

David Adams launched a marketplace four years ago in Seattle to connect dog parents with homeowners. The idea was to give dogs an alternative to the dog park…

…so a virtual marketplace that seamlessly connects homeowners with a passion for accommodating our furry friends and dog owners in desperate need of safe and secure play areas makes sense, right?

A study conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association (N.R.P.A.) in 2018, which uncovered that 91 percent of Americans believe dog parks provide benefits to their communities. The study found that the top two reasons responders cited for supporting dog parks were:

• 60 percent felt they gave dogs a safe space to exercise and roam freely

• 48 percent felt that dog parks were important for dog socialization

So, it makes sense that the Trust for Public Land uncovered a 40% rise in dog parks being built since 2009, likely due to mass adoption.

A stark contrast to a New York Times investigation uncovering dog park issues. Here are the concerns from that investigation:

• Playground bullies

  • Dogs often display over-aroused and rude behavior that can trigger issues between dogs. Dr. Heather B. Loenser, senior veterinary officer of the American Animal Hospital Association cautioned that “unfortunately, just because an owner thinks their dog plays well with others, doesn’t mean they always do.”

• Diseases

  • While most post signs saying dogs should be vaccinated, no proof of vaccinations is actually required.

• Injuries

  • They often don’t have separate play enclosures for large and small dogs, or when they do, owners can choose to disregard those spaces.

• Inability to understand canine body language

  • Most dog owners aren’t skilled at reading their dog’s body language beyond a wagging tail, so warning signs that your dog is uncomfortable, unhappy or angry are often ignored.

So, is an “AirBnB for dogs” solving a wider, public issue? Here’s the founder’s take:

“I think that dog parks are a really important public service. You’ve got to have them in the city,” Adams said. “But SniffSpot caters to people and pets who are looking for a more controlled environment, often because the animal comes from a background that makes it more reactive around other dogs and people.”

Well, when you phrase it that way, the mission feels heroic. It’s offering a sanctuary for dogs that are mentally and/or physically limited, and whether or not you agree/disagree with dog parks, both sides want what is best for dogs.

“Sure, we’re aligned with that, Dog Juice… but did I hear I can make money?”

The business model needs homes with yards to survive and individuals renting out their yards are making upwards of $3,000/mo. Talk about a side hustle.

…and SniffSpot seems to support their backyard renters with dedicated customer service, vaccination requirements, ensuring their renters clean up after their pets, $2M of liability insurance and $5,000 of damage protection.

At that point, if your yard can make a dog’s day, what’s stopping you?

Overheard at the bar:

“Is that a hair in your drink?”

“Oh, that’s a Bella garnish. She also garnishes my coffee, pasta, leggings and toothbrush. She apparently likes to come everywhere with me.”

- Whiskey and Rye, Charleston, South Carolina

“The Squeeze”: Dog News In 60 Seconds

• 🎭 Take a bow, service dogs! Check out the theatre employing rescue dogs for their summer productions.

• 👪 Oh, brother, where art thou?! These dog siblings from separate states just reunited after finding each other on Instagram. That’s social media for ya…

• 🎂 A man’s 100th birthday was celebrated with a parade…of hundreds of dogs.

• 🩺 We love the sploot. We live for the sploot. But what is a sploot? What causes the sploot? Vets have the answer.

• 📸 Stop hogging all the screen time Kim, Kourtney and Khloe! These are the dogs of the world’s most famous family. Keeping Up with the Kardishipups

• 🎨 Bellissimo! Check out this Santa Fe man making dog portraits…without paint.

• ✈️ Give that dog some wings! Service animals are adopting life at 30,000 feet, but here’s what you should know.

• 🛎️ Mind your manners, Fido! Well, if you want a well-mannered pooch, this trainer says to avoid this one mistake.

• 🐻 “The bear necessities”: woman punches bear after she catches it chasing her dog. Never test a mother.

Today’s Last Laugh:

“Dog, meet whale. Whale, meet dog.”