Belcourt, North Dakota (AP) - A fifth-grade scientist says cat drool
appears to be cleaner than that of dogs. Lacey Lafromboise, at Turtle
Mountain Elementary School, earned a trip to the Native American
Science Fair in Albuquerque NM by proving her two dogs have more
bacteria in their mouths than her two cats.
Lacey said she got the idea for the study while one of her dogs was
licking her face. Lacey tested the saliva of her cats, Jasum and
Daisy, and her dogs, Copper and Lady. One of the dogs spends most of
its time outdoors. She said that dog has more bacteria in its mouth,
probably because it chews on things outside. "On the other hand, the
indoor cat is dirtier than the cat that spends most of its time
outdoors." She hypothesized the indoor cat's habit of eating table
scraps created more bacteria.
Her mom got permission from a science professor to use an incubator
and a microscope at Minot State University. The experiment won Lacey
top honors at some science local and regional fairs. Lacey said she
will improve on her experiment before heading to Albuquerque. She may
retest her pets and make a new display board. Lacey's also practicing
questions judges may ask.