Dietary parallels in the co-evolution of dog and man

Abstract

The evolutionary success of the domestic dog is probably due to its diverse dietary habits and its exceptional ability to cohabitate with the worlds growing population of humans. Unlike the ancestral wolf, the domestic dog is more adept at scavenging than hunting, and is comfortable in the presence of humans. Consequently, 'Canis familiaris' has found a niche in close proximity to man, and with it a source of food. Eating patterns of the domestic dog often reflect that of their human owners (Kienzle, 1998) and there are some interesting parallels with human nutrition trends. Thus, it can be argued that human dietary trends are a contributing factor in the recent evolution of the domestic dog. The latest trends in human nutrition are often reflected in the formulations and marketing of commercial dog foods, such as the inclusion of fatty acid profiles on dog food labels in response to recent human interest in this group of nutrients. This phenomenon is probably due to the tendency of many dog owners to anthropomorphize their pets, and to the reality that dog foods must appeal to dog owners to purchase them. One of the notable dietary trends in the 20th century has been an increased reliance on processed foods for both the human and pet dog populations. The shared canine and human dietary trends is also evident in the emergence of common nutrition-related health problems in both species, particularly obesity. Both humans and dogs share an innate taste preference for sugars and fats; a factor that is likely to contribute to the parallel dietary trends and health patterns of these two species in the future.