Who let the dogs in?

How did pets evolve from independent, working animals to cherished family members, and what does a 100% human-managed life mean for their health and well-being? In this article, we’ll be tracing their journey from helpers to furry family.Do you have a pet dog at home? When was the last time your dog helped you hunt a fowl or a fox, marched beside you into battle, or carried you across snowy landscapes on a sled? Most probably, never.For most of human history, dogs, and pets in general, were valued primarily for what they did, not simply for who they were. The transformation of pets from useful companions into deeply loved family members is relatively recent. Interestingly, this shift is also connected to a growing set of health challenges seen in modern pets, which we’ll explore later.Today, many kinds of animals live in human homes, but dogs and cats remain the most common companions.This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin