About ten years ago, I developed an educational presentation for veterinarians titled “A Cat Is Not a Little Dog.” This presentation highlighted diseases that affect these two species very differently. For example:
Diabetes: Dogs can develop Type I diabetes, while cats develop Type II diabetes
Thyroid Disorders: The most common endocrine disorder in dogs is hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), while cats more often have the opposite condition, hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland)
Mast Cell Tumors: These skin tumors are most common in dogs, while in cats they often occur in the spleen.
However, there are a few medical similarities between dogs and cats that might surprise you. Today’s blogpost highlights three key areas where our feline and canine companions face similar health challenges.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome in Dogs and Cats
It’s common knowledge among dog lovers that “snub-nosed” breeds, like the currently popular French bulldog, can have significant respiratory difficulty due to their shortened airways. This condition, called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, results from misshapen noses, voice boxes and windpipes caused by selective breeding.
What many don’t realize is that snub-nosed cats can suffer from this syndrome as well. Persian, Himalayan, Burmese and Exotic shorthair cats are all at risk for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. To learn more about this condition in cats, watch a recent lecture from AMC’s Dr. Daniel Spector for AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education.
Sun-Induced Cancer in Dogs and Cats
While we don’t see many sun-related cancers here in New York City due to limited sun exposure, dogs and cats with light-colored coats who spend lots of time outdoors can develop squamous cell carcinoma in their skin. These tumors typically occur on the ear tips and nose, where the fur is thin and skin is most vulnerable.
To limit the risk of harmful sun rays, both dogs and cats should have shelter from the sun when outdoors, especially between 10 am and 2 pm when ultraviolet radiation is strongest. Better yet: keep them indoors during peak sunshine hours.
Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats
Bladder stones affect both cats and dogs in similar ways. In both species, males are more likely to develop a urinary obstruction than females because their urethras are longer and narrower, creating a greater opportunity for a stone to become lodged.
Bladder stones come in different types, but the top two types of bladder stones are the same in both dogs and cats: calcium oxalate and struvite (magnesium/ammonium phosphate). This similarity means the treatment for bladder stones in cats and dogs is often similar, typically involving dietary changes and antibiotics if there is an underlying infection.
Why the Differences Matter
The differences between dogs and cats come from their evolutionary origins. Cats descended from desert creatures from Africa, while dogs evolved from the grey wolf of Siberia. These differences explain many of the species-specific health patterns we see today—and help us appreciate the unique qualities that make us love both our feline and canine companions.