Artificial intelligence (AI) can now detect whether your cat is in pain by analyzing its face, thanks to a new app built by veterinarians and developers in Japan. This innovative app, called CatsMe!, has shown remarkable promise in helping pet owners understand their feline friends’ discomfort levels.
The AI app was meticulously trained using 6,000 pictures of cats, and developers assert it is more than 95% accurate in detecting pain. Professor Edamura, head of the Animal Medical Centre at Nihon University, played a significant role in the app’s development. He explained that while veterinarians can often gauge an animal’s pain, it’s considerably more challenging for pet owners.
“More than 70% of elderly cats have arthritis or pain, but only 2% of them actually go to a hospital,” said Professor Edamura. “So rather than a final diagnosis, we use [the app] as a tool to make owners aware of whether the situation is normal or not.”
Since its launch in Japan last year, the app has been used by more than 230,000 people. The app’s ability to help pet owners monitor their pets’ health without frequent vet visits has been highly beneficial. “So being able to consult the vet but still reduce the number of visits to the hospital is very important for him and for me,” a user commented.
CatsMe! was developed by Careology in collaboration with researchers at Nihon University. Pets are extremely popular in Japan, with the Japan Pet Food Association estimating there were almost 16 million pet cats and dogs in the country last year, outnumbering the children under 15.
This AI-driven tool represents a significant advancement in pet care, providing a practical solution for monitoring pet health and enhancing the well-being of beloved feline companions.
