The Scenario When Humanity Suddenly Disappears, and Pets Must Protect Themselves. Can They Survive?
Dogs have long been regarded as loyal companions to humans. They follow commands and have served people for thousands of years. However, would being raised and cared for by humans make these animals struggle if we were no longer around?
Dogs have long been regarded as loyal companions to humans. (Illustration: Adobe).
Jessica Pierce, an instructor at the University of Colorado, and author of the book A Dog’s World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World without Humans, presents her argument.
According to her, dogs could absolutely “thrive” without human support. “I have no doubt that dogs would survive without us,” Pierce states.
To explain her argument, she asserts that dogs originated from wolves and still retain some behaviors of their wild ancestors. Therefore, dogs would know how to hunt and scavenge if they were no longer cared for by humans.
In a proposed hypothesis, without humans, our other pets might also revert to their wild instincts and live as wild animals. Dogs, cats, and others would not be exceptions.
What Challenges Would Dogs Face Without Humans?
Some dog breeds would struggle to survive in the wild. (Image: Britannica).
Though most dog breeds adapt well, not all breeds would survive this transition. According to Pierce, some breeds are less equipped for wild living than others, such as brachycephalic breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs.
The reason is that they are prone to health issues. Some of these conditions make it difficult for them to breathe, which would likely hinder their ability to hunt.
Another issue is food. “If we were to disappear, food would be the main concern for dogs, not the loss of humans as social partners,” asserts Range Friederike, an associate professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. “As long as dogs can find food, they will be perfectly happy without us.”
Another weakness of some modern dog breeds is that they have evolved with short tails, making it difficult for them to socialize and communicate with wild dogs.
“Tails are an important part of communication,” Pierce states. “In the wild, if you can’t convey information clearly, it’s hard to ‘make friends,’ often leading to a deadly conflict.”
Even if they survive a confrontation, these dogs are likely to be injured and have a lower chance of surviving afterward.
In her book, Pierce also notes that in domestic environments, humans have inadvertently inhibited many dog behaviors, such as wandering, digging, and urinating to “mark” territories. All of these are vital behaviors for dogs in the wild.
If released into the wild, dogs would reactivate these instincts, and in fact, they might feel more “free” and psychologically comfortable than when raised by humans.
