Do cats and dogs have blood types?

Watson here, and recently I received a question that I couldn’t answer. The inquisitive person wanted to know if cats and dogs have the same blood types. They also wondered if humans could donate blood for their pets. Well, with a bit of research I am ready to answer.

Cats have three main blood types: A, B, and AB. About 90 percent of domestic cats in the U.S. have type A blood. In fact, when a transfusion is necessary the veterinarian will frequently use an in-house cat for the donor because type A is so common. There is no universal blood type for cats. Interestingly, the same trend of dominant A groups is seen in wild cats.

On rare occasions when no other options are available, a cat can receive a transfusion of dog blood. This is not a long-term solution and the risks of doing so may compromise the health of the cat. More research into long-term effects is presently underway.

Identified by “DEA” or Dog Erythrocyte Antigen, canine blood types are broken down into seven categories: DEA 1.1, DEA 1.2, DEA 3, DEA 4, DEA 5, DEA 7, and DEA 8. Dogs that are DEA 1.1 positive are universal recipients, while DEA 1.1 negative pooches (60 percents of greyhounds fall into this category) are universal donors.

Humans have 12 blood types: A, B, AB and O with Rh positive or Rh negative for each one. Unfortunately, the closest to human blood is pig blood, and using human blood for your cat or dog would be very unwise.

There are blood banks for animals and many pet owners donate their pet’s blood to help other animals who are in need. So, my curious reader, you now know about the life force that we call blood. Now you have to figure out what your type is.

XOXO Watson

LOOKING FOR A HOME

We have four adorable puppies and kittens to foster! Call 775-423-7500 for details.
Policy, however, prohibits adopting out puppies or kittens under the age of six months to a home with children under 5 years of age. This is to protect both the children and the animal.
 
IN NEED OF
IAMS Puppy food.
Aluminum cans. If you have cans to pick up, give us a call (775-423-7500) and we will come get them. You can also drop them off at CAPS.
Folks to sign up for AmazonSmile program the details are below.

Bleach and cleaning supplies for our kennels.

Pine shavings for guests’ kennels

 
SHOUT OUT TO
Rebecca Dugan for donating a truckload of dirt to fill our kennels and driveway. A huge pooch smooch to you!
The Rotarians for sponsoring a fundraiser to erect permanent shade structures for our kennels. All tails are wagging for you!
 
COME SEE US

CAPS is now open. We suggest appointments for adoptions, SNAPS, and food pantry. We are now accepting volunteers. Call 775-423-7500.

 

DON’T FORGET
February Holiday: Love Your Pet Day.
Due to rising costs in shelter and veterinary care, we have adjusted our adoption fees. Dog adoptions are $100. Cat adoptions are $60. All adoptees are healthy, spayed/neutered, and have all necessary shots.
Register in the AmazonSmile program, a website operated by Amazon. Customers enjoy the same selection of products, low prices, and shopping features as on Amazon.com. The only difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization selected by you.
CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, Nev., 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Contact me at jkwmil@outlook.com.