From the Guidelines
Using dog urine as a substitute for human saliva in drug tests is not recommended and will likely result in test failure or detection of tampering. According to the study published in Pediatrics in 2014 1, saliva testing provides similar information to blood testing but is less invasive and does not require extensive training for sample collection. The study highlights that saliva allows for detection of drug excreted from the blood after recent use, and it is less subject to contamination than urine. However, the chemical composition of dog urine is significantly different from human saliva, containing different metabolites and compounds. For instance, saliva contains enzymes like amylase and specific proteins that aren't present in dog urine, while dog urine contains species-specific metabolites and different pH levels.
Key Points to Consider
- The study emphasizes that practices and laboratories should only conduct tests for which they are certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments 1.
- Saliva testing is a reliable method for detecting recent drug use, and it is less invasive than blood testing 1.
- Dog urine is not a suitable substitute for human saliva in drug tests due to its distinct chemical composition and the risk of detection of tampering.
- Attempting to cheat a drug test by using dog urine can have serious consequences, including termination of employment, legal penalties, or disqualification from programs requiring drug testing.
Important Considerations for Drug Testing
- The choice of sample is influenced by the cost, ease of sample collection, risk of adulteration, test type, scope of drugs being tested, time frame, and indications for testing 1.
- Urine testing is invasive and highly susceptible to tampering, but it is well standardized and studied, and it provides a longer window of detection for some substances 1.
- Hair testing allows for detection of past use that has occurred over an extended time, but it is not useful clinically due to its long window of detection and potential for false-positive results 1.
From the Research
Feasibility of Using Dog Urine as a Sample for Saliva Drug Tests for People
- There are no research papers that directly discuss the use of dog urine as a sample for saliva drug tests for people.
- However, studies have explored the use of alternative biological fluids and matrices for drug testing, such as saliva, hair, nails, and fingerprints 2, 3, 4, 5.
- These studies suggest that saliva can be a useful substitute for blood in therapeutic drug monitoring, and that other biological fluids and matrices can provide valuable information about drug use and exposure 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The use of dog urine as a sample for saliva drug tests for people is not supported by the available evidence, and it is unlikely that dog urine would be a suitable substitute for human saliva in drug testing.
Alternative Biological Fluids and Matrices for Drug Testing
- Saliva is a commonly used alternative to blood for drug testing, and it has been shown to be effective for detecting a range of drugs, including cannabinoids and benzodiazepines 3, 5.
- Other biological fluids and matrices, such as hair, nails, and fingerprints, have also been explored for drug testing, and they may offer advantages in terms of ease of sampling and detection of drug use 2, 3, 4.
- The choice of biological fluid or matrix for drug testing depends on the specific goals of the test and the characteristics of the drug being detected 2, 3, 4, 5.
Limitations and Challenges of Using Alternative Biological Fluids and Matrices
- The use of alternative biological fluids and matrices for drug testing can be limited by factors such as the availability of suitable sampling methods, the stability of the drug in the sample, and the sensitivity and specificity of the detection method 3, 4, 5.
- Additionally, the interpretation of results from alternative biological fluids and matrices can be complex, and it may require specialized expertise and equipment 2, 3, 4, 5.