Your Dog May Be Looking More Like Your Cat—And Science Explains Why

Dogs and cats, long genetically unrelated, are evolving to resemble each other more and more. This curious trend is the result of human-driven breeding practices that prioritize certain “baby-like” features, such as flat faces and large eyes. But while these traits make our pets more endearing, they also come with unintended health consequences.

A recent study by evolutionary biologists Abby Drake from Cornell University and Jonathan Losos from Washington University reveals that, over generations, selective breeding has led some dog and cat breeds to share strikingly similar skull shapes.

The findings suggest that breeds like pugs, Pekingese dogs, and Persian cats now have more in common with each other than with their wild ancestors, the wolf and wildcat. This convergence has opened up a new area of research into how human preferences for certain traits are shaping the evolution of our furry companions.

Humans have long been attracted to animals that resemble human infants, triggering our instinct to nurture. This phenomenon, known as the “baby schema,” explains why pets with flat faces, large eyes, and round heads are particularly appealing. According to the study, breeds like pugs and Persian cats, with their distinctive facial features, closely mirror human babies and thus elicit strong parental responses from us.

Drake and Losos found that the skulls of these pets, shaped by artificial selection, now bear more resemblance to each other than to the skulls of their wild ancestors. For instance, a pug’s skull and a Persian cat’s skull are more alike than either is to a wolf or a wildcat. This suggests that, while dogs and cats diverged millions of years ago, their evolution has been influenced by similar pressures due to human breeding preferences.

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