Canine Cancer Detectives: How Dogs’ Noses and AI Could Save Lives
TL;DR: A new study shows trained dogs can detect cancer from breath samples with 94% accuracy, aided by AI that interprets their subtle signals to reduce human error. Dogs’ incredible noses, equipped with up to 300 million scent receptors, also sniff out diseases like COVID-19, malaria, and Parkinson’s. This amazing sense of smell means dogs experience treats through scent first, making single-ingredient dehydrated treats with natural aromas especially appealing and rewarding for them.
###
A groundbreaking new study from Israeli company SpotitEarly has shown that dogs, with their extraordinary sense of smell, can accurately detect cancer from simple breath samples, offering hope for non-invasive, early screening.
In this large clinical trial, specially trained beagles sniffed masks that participants had breathed into for three minutes. If a dog detected cancer, it signalled by sitting or lying down. Out of 1,400 people tested, the dogs identified cancer with an impressive 94% accuracy, even in early stages.
What sets this research apart is the use of artificial intelligence alongside the dogs. AI and computer vision were used to monitor and interpret the dogs’ behaviour as they sniffed each breath sample, capturing subtle cues such as posture, movement, and the precise moment a dog signalled a positive result (for example, by sitting or lying down). Instead of relying solely on human observation – which can introduce bias or error – the AI system continuously recorded and analysed hundreds of real-time signals from the dogs’ physical and behavioural responses.
By applying machine learning algorithms, the system could distinguish between a true detection signal and other unrelated behaviours, ensuring that the dogs’ responses were interpreted consistently and accurately across all samples. This integration of AI not only reduced the risk of human error but also made the screening process more reliable and scalable, paving the way for broader use of this innovative cancer detection method.
The technology can already identify four major types of cancer – lung, breast, prostate, and colon – with plans to expand further.
Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors – compared to our 5 million – and a much larger part of their brain is devoted to analysing smells. This lets them pick up on the tiniest chemical changes in our breath, changes that can signal the presence of disease, even before symptoms appear.
Dogs’ noses aren’t just for cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies showed trained dogs could identify infected individuals with up to 95% accuracy – often outperforming rapid antigen tests. They’ve also sniffed out malaria, Parkinson’s disease, and bacterial infections, proving their noses are among nature’s most sophisticated diagnostic tools.
Just as dogs can detect the faintest traces of illness, they also judge treats by their scent first. Processed treats lose natural aromas during manufacturing, leaving dogs unimpressed. In contrast, single-ingredient dehydrated treats – like beef liver or chicken – retain concentrated, authentic smells because they’re gently dried, not overcooked or masked by artificial flavours.
Gentle drying methods, like air-drying, help preserve the natural aroma and flavour compounds in meat, so the finished treats retain more of their original, enticing smell. In contrast, high-heat or harsh drying methods can cause these aroma compounds to break down or evaporate, resulting in treats with less authentic flavour and a weaker scent.
For dogs, strong natural scents aren’t just appealing-they’re highly attractive and can increase their interest in food. Research shows that aromas found in real meats are key drivers of palatability and excitement for dogs’ sense of smell. When you offer a dehydrated treat, you’re giving your dog a sensory experience that taps into the very abilities that make them so special.