HISTORY118 - Pets

As regular readers of this blog know, my subjects come from many sources.  Pat suggested this one, sparked by our seeing so many pet dogs in our retirement community.  And when I looked into it, there appeared to be some interesting history to research and write about.

After a short introduction, I will discuss the history of pets, from prehistoric times through the present, and end with a look at potential pet keeping in the future.  I will also make a special effort to  explore the human-pet bond.

As always, I will list my principal sources at the end.

 

Introduction

For the purpose of this article, a pet is a domesticated or tamed animal kept for companionship and pleasure rather than for commercial purposes.  The relationship is based on a human-animal bond, where the human is responsible for the animal's needs, such as food, water, and shelter.  Pets provide social interaction and emotional support, especially for people living alone.

Throughout history, animals have played a key role in human life.  People have come to depend on animals for food, clothing, and transportation.  At many times throughout history, and in many cultures around the world, animals were also the focus of religious worship.

Although animals still maintain many of those traditional uses around the world, the role of animals in society has also changed.  In the last several hundred years, there has been a massive increase in the number of animals kept purely for companionship and pleasure.

The keeping of pets has been practiced from prehistoric times to the present, and as pets are found in nearly every culture and society, pet keeping apparently satisfies a deep, universal human need.

In 2025, an estimated 94 million U.S. households have at least one pet, which is about 71% of all households in the United States.  Pet favorites are dogs (68 million), cats (49 million), freshwater fish (10 million), reptiles (6 million), and birds (6million).

Prehistoric Times

In prehistoric times, the relationship between primitive man and animals was that of hunter and prey.  People viewed animals primarily as a source of food and skins for clothing.

As our ancestors transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled agricultural communities, their relationship with animals evolved in profound ways.

The Agricultural Revolution that took place around 10,000 BC marked a turning point in human history.  With the discovery of farming practices, humans began to settle in one place, creating permanent settlements and producing surplus food.  This shift from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle provided opportunities for humans to form deeper connections with wild animals.

The first animal to make the transition from the wild to the domesticated state was the wolf, the common ancestor of all modern-day dogs.  Wolves transitioned to dogs through a lengthy domestication process, likely starting 20,000 to 40,000 years ago when less fearful, more cooperative wolves were drawn to human camp scraps and were tolerated, passing on their tamer traits.  Over generations, humans selectively bred these "proto-dogs" for tameness and other desirable traits, leading to physical changes like smaller teeth, shorter snouts, and floppy ears, and eventually, after domestication at least 12,000 - 14,000 years ago, resulting in the diverse breeds we know today. 

All of today's dog breeds descended from the gray wolf.

From the earliest days of domestication, dogs had practical uses.  They were kept because they could perform tasks such as hunting, guarding, and herding.  Although domesticated dogs were probably treated with respect in primitive societies, there is evidence that at least some were also considered companions as early as 12,000 years ago.

Dogs were not only valuable hunting aides and guardians but also provided companionship and emotional support to early humans.  Their loyalty, protection, and ability to understand human emotions made them cherished members of the community.  The close bond between humans and dogs set a precedent for the relationships we have with pets to this day.

Cats were domesticated as rodent controllers around 9,500 years ago, with the earliest evidence from a burial site in Cyprus, though the broader domestication process likely began in the Middle East’s Fertile Crescent around 10,000 years ago or more, as wildcats were drawn to rodent-infested human settlements. 

 

Ancient Civilizations

Over time, the practice of keeping pets as symbols of status, companions, or even family members expanded with different cultures and social classes.

Ancient Mesopotamia: In ancient Mesopotamia, dogs and cats were the most common pets, cherished for companionship, protection, and healing, as evidenced by their frequent depiction in art and their presence in homes.  Dogs were especially significant as companions to deities like Gula and Inanna and were often depicted wearing collars, while cats likely served as pest controllers in households and on ships. 

Depiction of Mesopotamian dog with collar.

 

Ancient Egypt:  Ancient Egyptians kept a variety of animals as pets, with cats and dogs being the most popular, followed by monkeys, gazelles, and birds.  They also kept more exotic animals like baboons, lions, and even crocodiles, though the extent of domestication varied.  Pets were not just companions but were often treated with great affection, even mummified and buried with their owners. 

Cats were highly favored, likely due to their association with the goddess Bastet and their ability to control pests.  They were frequently depicted in art.  Dogs were also popular, particularly among the upper classes, who could afford to care for them.  They were considered important members of the household and were sometimes depicted in tomb paintings.  Some dogs, like the greyhound Abutiu, were even beloved by pharaohs. 

Ancient Greece and Rome: In ancient Greece and Rome, the ownership of pets became a reflection of one's wealth and social standing.  Wealthy individuals would often keep exotic animals as status symbols.  Additionally, hunting dogs were highly prized, as hunting was considered an aristocratic pastime.  These pets not only provided companionship but also served as tangible displays of power and social influence.

Ancient Greece saw a variety of animals kept as pets, with dogs being the most common and popular.  Besides dogs, Greeks also kept birds, rabbits, geese, and even snakes as companions.  Cats, though less prevalent in early Greece, became more common during the Roman period after being introduced from Egypt. 

Ancient Romans also kept various pets, with dogs being the most common, used for hunting and companionship.  Birds, particularly parrots and songbirds, were popular, especially with the wealthy, who valued their beauty and ability to speak.  Cats were also kept, primarily for pest control, while smaller animals like mice and grasshoppers were also popular.  Wealthy Romans also kept exotic pets, such as monkeys, and even larger animals like lions in menageries.

 

Ancient Romans kept dogs, cats, and birds as pets.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

In medieval Europe, from the 13^th- 15^th centuries, pet keeping was popular among the aristocracy and some senior clergy.  Medieval pets included common animals like dogs and cats, but also more exotic creatures such as squirrels, monkeys, ferrets, and birds (like parrots and nightingales), often chosen by the wealthy or nobility for companionship and status.

Variety of pets in the Middle Ages.

 

Lap dogs were fashionable among noble ladies.  Small dogs and cats were cherished, named, and even given elaborate burials.

Male nobility were more inclined to lavish their attention on more “useful” animals, such as hunting hounds and falcons.  During this period, hunting was of great importance to the aristocracy as a symbol of power and status.  Dog breeds spread throughout Europe as different types of hounds were developed for chasing different quarry.

Nevertheless, the Christian church frowned on pet keeping.  Church leaders suggested that the food used for these animals should be given to the poor.  The Church was probably more afraid that close associations with animals were strongly linked to pagan worship.  The prejudice against pets reached its height during the Inquisition (12^th to 15^th centuries), where evidence against heretics often included references to close associations with animals.

Throughout the barbaric witch trials of the 16^th and 17^th centuries, a large number of innocent people were accused of witchcraft and condemned to death.  Possession of an “animal familiar,” considered to be a symbol of Satan, was used as evidence of their guilt.  The accused were most often elderly and socially isolated women who probably kept animals for companionship.  As interest in witchcraft declined, however, companion animals returned to favor and even came to symbolize good fortune.

The most likely reason for negative attitudes to companion animals throughout history is that affectionate relationships towards animals were considered immoral and against the natural order of life.  Until relatively recently, there was a commonly held view in the Western world that animals lacked feelings and were created in order to serve humanity.

 

Rise of Pet Keeping

In 17^th - 19^th century America, people kept a wide variety of pets, including dogs, cats, and horses, as well as native wild animals such as squirrels, raccoons, deer, and even frogs.  Animals served practical purposes like pest control and herding, but also provided companionship, often being referred to as "favorites" rather than "pets.”  As the eras progressed, particularly into the 18^th and 19^th centuries, a growing cultural shift made traditional animal ownership more common, with evidence of increasingly affectionate relationships as companions, and even early forms of anti-cruelty sentiment appearing in the period.

The practice of pet keeping in Victorian times (end of 18^th century) also reflected other social attitudes of the time.  Pet keeping was not considered appropriate for the “lower classes,” as it was thought to encourage the neglect of other social duties.

Dog and cat buddies from the late Victorian Period.

 

In the 20^th century, pet keeping evolved from primarily utilitarian or luxury practices to the widespread norm of companion animals, with the rise of specialized breeding, veterinary care, and a growing pet-focused economy.  Dogs remained popular, while cats gained status as companions, especially with changing housing trends like smaller homes and apartments.  This era saw the development of pet products, the increased professionalization of animal care, and a cultural shift that cemented pets as integral family members and even public figures.

Modern Society

Today pets are deeply integrated into modern American society, with a majority of households owning one, and most viewing their pets as family members.  Pet ownership is a significant cultural and economic force, with the industry experiencing robust growth driven by spending on gourmet foods, training, and veterinary care.  The relationship with pets provides companionship, emotional support, and a strong sense of community for owners.

Veterinary medicine evolved from ancient animal husbandry practices to a formal, scientifically-grounded profession with diverse specializations.  Key milestones include the development of the earliest treatments for livestock, the founding of the first veterinary school in the 18^th century, and major technological and pharmaceutical advances in the 20^th and 21^st centuries. 

While dogs remain the most popular pet, cats are also widely kept, and a broader range of other animals is common, including birds (e.g., canaries and parakeets), reptiles and amphibians (e.g., snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and toads), fish, cage pets (e.g., rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, and chinchillas), outdoor stabled animals (e.g., horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules), several kinds of insects (e.g., walking sticks, spiders, and ants), and many others.

Most popular American pet as of January 2024.

 

Of increasing concern is the sale of exotic pets (e.g., jaguars, alligators, ocelots, monkeys, apes, etc.).  Rarely are the owners of such pets able to provide the basic nutritional or habitat needs of these animals; most of the animals soon die or are sent to a zoo.  Furthermore, in order to obtain the young, which are considered most desirable as pets, many adults of the wild species are killed, seriously depleting populations already endangered.  Several countries have passed laws to prohibit the importation of endangered species as pets, but an active black market flourishes.

Pet regulations include federal laws like the 1966 Animal Welfare Act for research, exhibition, and commercially bred animals, as well as state and local laws governing aspects like leash requirements, pet waste disposal, rabies vaccinations, limits on the number of pets, and anti-cruelty standards.

The financial investment Americans make in their pets is massive and continues to grow.  Total U.S. pet industry expenditures reached a record $152 billion in 2024 and are projected to hit $157 billion in 2025.

 

Pet-Owner Bond

The most common reason for owning pets in America today is companionship.  In recent years, there's been a growing awareness of the very positive effects this relationship can have on human health and psychological well-being, and a recognition of the therapeutic value of companion animals.  Pets have an increasing presence in settings such as hospitals, schools, and retirement homes.

Senior woman with her companion dog.

 

Today, the human-pet relationship continues to evolve, with pets serving as companions, service animals (like seeing-eye dogs), and important members of many households.  The bond between humans and their pets is often deep and emotional, as it has been for many centuries.

The primary bond distinguishing a pet-and-owner relationship is affection.  As useful as many animals are, what differentiates a pet from other economically useful animals is the degree of contact between the animals and human beings.  Often, this relationship has been unabashedly sentimentalized in myth, art, and literature. 

This bond between pets and their owners was not always so similar to the relationships humans have with each other.  The human-animal bond has evolved for more than 15,000 years, and it began as a working relationship. Animals provided protection and service to people; this could have been while hunting, farming, or performing other tasks necessary for day-to-day life. Dogs would track and herd.  Cats usually lived outside, and would hunt and kill rodents that, otherwise, could spread disease and damage food or other materials.

Animals also served people during wartime as cavalry horses, sentry dogs, and carrier pigeons.  These animals not only provided protection; they also could offer stress relief and a sense of pride to their human counterparts.

It is easy to overlook the human-animal bond as a one-way street.  Pets need their owners to meet their basic needs of food, water, shelter, and welfare.  But humans can gain a different kind of wellbeing from their companion animals.  Pets can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and, in some cases, may reduce direct pain.  Interacting with pets, especially through eye contact, releases the hormone oxytocin in both humans and dogs, fostering a bonding effect similar to the bond between a mother and infant.  Studies show that a sustained, reciprocal gaze can cause significant increases in oxytocin for both species, strengthening their relationship and promoting positive social behavior. 

Pets also can offer benefits for other human health challenges.  The elderly respond well to companion animals.  Diseases like depression, coronary conditions, and dementia can be exacerbated by loneliness.  By interacting with companion animals, elderly people can experience positive mental and physical effects.  Similar results can occur in children during emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral development.

 

Conclusions

The history of pets is a testament to the enduring bonds between humans and animals.  From their early domestication to their role as beloved companions today, pets have played a significant part in shaping human history.  Understanding this history not only enriches our knowledge of the past but also deepens our appreciation for the pets we share our lives with. 

 

Future

Modern pets have reshaped the American home and economy, but these shifts also raise questions about future trends.  As families evolve and urban living becomes more common, the role of pets as social and emotional anchors is likely to continue.  However, the rising costs and ethical considerations will force a reevaluation of what it means to be a "pet parent" in the years to come. 

 

 

"Pets are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole" - Roger Caras 

 

 

Sources

My principal sources include: “Pet,” Wikipedia.com; “History of Pets: From Wild Animals to Beloved Companions,” brainly.com; “The Evolution of Pet Ownership,” pedigree.com; “Pet / Definition, Types, History & Facts,” britannica.com; “The Human-Animal Bond Throughout Time,” cvm.msu.edu; 2024-2025 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association; plus, numerous other online sources, including answers to queries using Google in AI Mode.