The unconditional support dogs offer us may have been particularly valuable for some of us during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. On National Dog Day - and every today - we celebrate our companions’ role in our health and wellbeing, as well as the many ways in which our researchers, in partnership with veterinarians, data scientists and experts from across Mars Petcare, are advancing science to help dogs live healthy, happy lives.
Here are just a few ways our best friends can stand by us when we need them most:
We’re advancing science to help veterinarians offer personalised care by preventing and even predicting disease, so dogs can live healthy lives for as long as possible.
Ultimately, continuous monitoring of pet behaviour and activity could help pet owners identify pets with a range of possible conditions, including scratching, poor appetite, excessive weight, or osteoarthritis.
Every dog has unique needs thanks to its unique breed makeup. With this breed detection system update, Wisdom Panel™ can now scan a pup’s DNA for the most breeds and give owners the most accurate answers about their ancestry—more than 98% accurate. By understanding a dog’s DNA, pet parents and veterinarians can team up to create personalised care programmes and take better care of their best friends through every stage of their life.
What's more, we now know smaller dog breeds are more likely to develop gum disease than larger breeds. Our research has also shown that a good oral care routine (regular tooth brushing, dental chews and veterinary checks) can help prevent dental disease in miniature schnauzers.
With more than half of all pets in the US and UK considered overweight or obese, pet obesity is one of the biggest health challenges our pets face today. We know that every dog is unique, so it’s crucial that owners adapt daily food quantities depending on their pups’ activity levels, age, breed, weight and dog food brand.
Read our science stories to learn more about ambition to better understand our pets’ needs through science & data.