This interview is with Kathryn Dench, Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins.

 

Kathryn Dench, Chief Scientific Advisor, Paw Origins

Can you tell us about your background in veterinary science and what inspired you to specialize in pet wellness?

I qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Cambridge in 2007. Since then, I have worked in many facets of veterinary medicine, from private small-animal clinics to dog shelters, wildlife rescues to research. The common thread in my different roles has been a commitment to evidence-based practices and to making a difference for as many creatures as I can.

 

I was initially drawn to pet wellness by a love of animals and the desire to help, along with enjoying the problem-solving side of veterinary work. While clinical work is in itself rewarding, I am particularly motivated by my research and educational work, with the hope that my findings can help more pet parents find solutions for the animals in their care.

 

How has your career in veterinary medicine evolved, and what’s been your most rewarding experience so far?

I have been blessed with a huge amount of variety in the first two decades of my career. I was involved with conservation charities throughout my training, and my first patients after qualifying were wild cats in the Malaysian jungle, who we were fitting with radio collars to monitor their movements and home ranges.

 

I returned to the UK and took up a position in small animal practice, where I developed my medical and surgical skills. While many veterinary clinics pitched themselves against alternative treatments, ours was open-minded, and I saw first-hand that acupuncture and other non-medical treatments could often provide similar or better outcomes to the usual prescription tablets.

 

As I continued to advise conservation and animal rescue charities over the following years, I became increasingly aware of the vast divide between pharmaceutical medicines and alternative medicines: people who support modern treatments often refuse to acknowledge the potential benefits of alternative treatments, and vice versa. I was drawn into the world of research to try and find an evidence-based understanding of how each of these treatments interacts within the body, and an objective assessment of their benefits and risks.

 

With this in mind, partnering with Paw Origins has been the most rewarding part of my career so far. Through our commitment to making high-quality alternative treatments accessible to the pets who need it, I believe our work is effective in furthering pet wellness and well-being.

 

In your experience, what’s the most common misconception pet owners have about their dogs’ or cats’ health, and how do you address it?

One of the biggest misconceptions I see in pet owners is that the problems of old age are just part of life and there’s nothing to be done. In fact, research has shown that supporting our cats’ and dogs’ health in a holistic way from the start — with the right diet, the right supplements, the right vaccinations, and other preventative treatments — improves lifespan and quality of life. I believe evidence-based information is key to bringing this into focus for pet owners. So many alternative treatment brands employ pushy marketing without a scientific basis, and it’s no wonder people switch off. That’s why I always try to give the reasoning behind my suggestions, whether in one-on-one consultations in clinics or communicating with a broader audience on education platforms.

 

Can you share a challenging case you’ve encountered with a pet patient and how you approached it?

One of the most challenging cases that springs to mind was during my third year in practice. A 10-year-old ginger cat was brought in by his owners to be euthanized because he had started passing loose stools around the house and not in his litter box. It had been going on for a few weeks, and the family had made up their mind that it was time to say goodbye.

 

As I performed the clinical examination, I became fairly sure my patient was experiencing a severe bout of irritable bowel — unpleasant both for him and his owners, but ultimately treatable. As I approached this topic with my clients, they were rather unconvinced, as they’d already come to terms with the fact that they would be returning home without the cat. Eventually, they agreed to try treatment for one week and see what happened.

 

They didn’t return the next week, and as time went by I was certain the worst had happened. So, you can imagine my surprise the following spring when they were back in my clinic for their cat’s annual vaccines — having apparently completely forgotten the circumstances of our previous consultation.

 

The take-home for me was that vets should help pet owners feel that they can ask us about anything that’s happening with their pet, rather than being left without guidance and potentially making the wrong decision.

 

What’s one simple yet effective tip you’d give pet owners to improve their furry friends’ overall wellness?

My top tip would be to schedule routine check-ups, even when your pet seems healthy. Annual vaccination appointments are a great opportunity for this, and I usually recommend my clients bring their pets in at the 6-month mark as well, or even quarterly visits for older patients. The reason is that, for so many conditions that negatively impact our pets’ health—from dental tartar to heart murmurs and even cancer—early detection is key to getting the best possible outcomes. It could mean the difference between some simple tooth brushing versus an anesthetic for extractions; a straightforward lump removal surgery versus months of chemotherapy.

 

How do you see the field of veterinary science changing in the next decade, particularly in relation to pet wellness?

One of the biggest changes we’ve seen since the pandemic is the rise of telemedicine in veterinary care. This was previously quite uncommon, but the profession had to adapt in those circumstances and facilitate remote discussions of pet wellness. While teleconsultations cannot replace a full clinical examination of a patient, I believe they fill a crucial gap in giving pet owners time to ask questions and better understand their pet’s health condition, medications, and potential options available to them, without the time constraints of an in-person visit to the clinic.

 

Can you describe a moment in your career when you realized the profound impact veterinarians can have on both pets and their owners?

For me, rather than a single defining moment, I would say the role of veterinarians has been underscored by the cumulative effect of seeing the right interventions given at the right time to bring significant improvements to pets’ lives. One example is my work with Paw Origins on their Happy Furever CBD oil. We regularly receive messages from pet owners sharing how much more relaxed, more mobile, and less anxious their pets are since starting the supplement. Seeing stories of pets who were in chronic pain or struggling with anxiety, who are now able to enjoy life again, is a testament to the impact veterinarians can have on pet welfare on a broad scale.

 

What’s the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned about the differences between caring for dogs versus cats?

I’ve always been fascinated by animal behavior, and the differences between dogs and cats in this regard are really interesting. Dogs are pack animals by nature and thrive in an environment where there is a structured hierarchy and social order. This mindset affects how they learn, respond to training, and interact with other members of the household (both human and animal!) as they pick up on social cues and are very receptive to social learning.

 

Cats, on the other hand, are more solitary by nature and more focused on territory than hierarchy. They prioritize their own comfort and safety, without as much concern for group dynamics. This means they are far less likely to copy behaviors they see others perform and immune to the social-learning techniques that might be effective on dogs. Instead, tailored training incorporating praise and treats is needed to reinforce good behavior.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring veterinarians who want to specialize in pet wellness, what would it be?

My advice would be to gain experience in a broad range of settings, such as clinics, shelters, and overseas welfare programs, as the diversity will sharpen your critical-thinking skills. When none of your usual go-to solutions are available, you are forced to think outside the box and assess your options based on your own research and critical evaluation of the science. This gives you the perfect foundation from which to appraise findings in evolving fields such as genetics, nutrition, behavioral science, and alternative treatments.

 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

If you’re interested in learning more or discussing my work with Paw Origins further, I encourage you to follow our social media and reach out with your questions. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue expanding our range of natural, high-quality supplements informed by solid evidence and genuine care.