Japanese app aims to detect cat pain

Has humanity got its priorities right? We have an economic system that devotes resources to whether a cat feels a bit down in the dumps while homelessness, pollution, deforestation, slavery, war among plenty of others continue unabated.

Has humanity got its priorities right?

Non-facetiously: Did it ever?

Why do.Japanese fall for these animals scam

Man inches closer to a workable Tricorder every year.

If you don’t understand your pets health and mental condition, don’t have one.

If you don’t understand your pets health and mental condition, don’t have one.

Animals cannot talk to you and a survival adaptation that most have is to not show illness because in the wild appearing weak gets you eaten. I had a beloved dog who we gave excellent care to but when he developed cancer he never showed any signs until it was too late to save him. He died six months after passing a physical with flying colors. I will always second guess myself wondering if I could have realized he was suffering earlier and have saved him, but this dog was always happy and joyous. Even when he was clearly on his last legs he would get up and yowl and be funny. Anything that helps me see a problem early before it becomes terminal is welcome indeed.

It is particularly hard to know when cats are ill or in pain. They still retain many features from wildness. They know that a sick animal is weak, and as a result, a target for predators. To protect itself from predators it is in an ill cat's nature to appear healthy. Cats are small animals. Such self-protection is important to them. It is also important for caring owners to understand when they are ill.

There must be a lot of angry cats now - people getting the app and kicking their cats just to see if it works.

If you don’t understand your pets health and mental condition, don’t have one.

Until Golden Week this year, I had two cats for the best part of twenty years. I took them both to have their vaccination so that if my wife and I went away somewhere they could stay in a cat hotel.

After two days, “Cat” (19) was still fine. But “Fox” (18) was uncomfortable, she couldn’t settle; stopped eating when she had been a voracious eater; started to poop in places away from the toilet. The vet told us that she had a kidney problem, and that there wasn’t any chance of survival. She must have been ill beforehand, but showed absolutely no signs of it.

She took another four days to die. During that time she would want to sit with me, struggling to walk or to climb up to see me. The last time she did so, she died in my arms. Her final breath convulsing her tiny body, before she went limp in my arms.

I have never cried so much in my life. More than when my parents died. More than when I lost my first love. I understood her and she, me. She would be waiting at the door when I came home from work. She’d sit on my shoulder whilst I read a book. Now she’s not here. I’ve lost my best friend.

Cats are considered lucky in Japan, and owners of the popular pets spend big on their care.

Very coincidentally, running through my local park this morning and another two, adult, living cats dumped there overnight. It happens from time to time. There used to be more signs telling people not to dump their cats in certain popular places for it, like public parks. Maybe there is an AI app to detect people for whom animals are just conveniences. It might glow radioactively in cat cafes.

What research says about cats: they're selfish, unfeeling, environmentally harmful creatures

https://www.vox.com/2014/10/16/6982177/the-case-against-owning-cats

This is harsh and will anger the versatility of cat companionship.

I have two dogs Soy and Bailey. Neither barks in the presents of a cat. Both just nonchalantly stroll past.

The Cat sometime back arched stunned.

Take care of your nekos..

If progress in technology can aid inter species communication then I’m all for it!

That neko in the photo doesn't look all too happy; they could test the equipment on it.