A groundbreaking new app called CatsMe! is using artificial intelligence to identify signs of pain in cats by analyzing subtle facial cues that cats typically hide. Developed by Carelogy in collaboration with researchers from Nihon University in Japan, the app employs an AI model trained on a large dataset of expert-labeled cat facial images to accurately detect signs of feline discomfort.
CatsMe! boasts an impressive accuracy rating of over 95% and has already been downloaded by more than 200,000 users across 50 countries. This innovation addresses the natural tendency of cats to conceal pain, a behavior rooted in their instincts to avoid attracting predators, as noted by the Drake Center for Veterinary Care.
“It is difficult to tell the signs of pain in cats, and in many cases, people do not realize that their cats are in pain,” said Kazuya Edamura, chair of the Animal Pain Research Group. “This tool is a very unique app that uses AI to detect these subtle changes. Cats are not good at complaining about pain on their own.”
The app is designed to help pet owners gauge their cat’s well-being and determine if a vet visit is necessary. Users simply upload a photo of their cat’s face, and the app analyzes it, categorizing the level of pain as "none, mild, or severe" within 10 seconds.
Recently, Carelogy expanded access to CatsMe!, offering free users features previously reserved for premium members. These include the ability to keep records for multiple cats and analyze multiple photos simultaneously. Additionally, the app features a calendar function to track facial scans and provide insights into how a cat's condition evolves over two weeks.
Users can share the app’s results with their vet or loved ones and interact with an AI chatbot for more insights into their pet’s emotional state. This democratization of healthcare aims to make advanced diagnostic tools accessible to all pet owners.
“This cat pain detection AI is the world's first AI that can detect signs of pain from photos of a cat's face,” said Kenji Teshima, lead of the Animal Pain Research Society’s acute pain working group. “We hope that it will help to recognize pain in cats and even to treat their pain.”
CatsMe! is revolutionizing pet care by providing a vital tool for early pain detection, ensuring that cats receive the attention and treatment they need promptly.
