Domestication and Behavioural Evolution: Convergent and Divergent Outcomes in Dogs and Cats

Life science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

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Abstract

The domestication of cats and dogs through symbiotic pathways has introduced them into human space to reduce their fear and reactive attacks, providing them with opportunities to acquire human resources and social connections. For thousands of years, choices in these environments have resulted in convergent and divergent behavioral outcomes. This article combines evidence from behavior, neuroendocrine and genetic mechanisms, development, and contemporary ecology to explain why cats and dogs have similar adaptability to humans but different social motivations. Existing research demonstrates that dogs exhibit significant human centered social cognition, such as using pointing and gaze, as well as seeking help, which is supported by oxytocin related pathways and early socialization. Cats can also form stable attachments, follow human cues, recognize their own names, but they exhibit more context dependent seeking behavior and focus more on reward and fear regulation circuits. The developmental time and contemporary ecological environment further shape the adult phenotype through gene environment interactions. This evidence suggests that attachment ability and sensitivity to human cues are similar, but there are differences in cooperation and group organization. This article reveals how urbanization and management practices utilize the social motivations of specific species to improve welfare, conservation outcomes, and public health.