The dark side of beauty in companion animals: can we speak about genetic abuse?

the role of companion animals, especially dogs and cats, in human society, has changed in the last century and nowadays they are considered not only moral subjects, but even family members with a deep affective bond with their human partners. Many ethical principles support the needs to face the companion animals’ welfare issues in all their facets included the selective breeding. Scientific evidences highlight the impact of unethical breeding practices for the health and welfare of pedigree cats and dogs both at individual and population level. Over-type, inbreeding depression and reduction of genetic variability have caused the spread of inherited diseases with detrimental consequences for animals and negative impacts on their owners. Therefore, unhealthy and unethical breeding practices can be considered a genetic abuse and they can’t be justify anymore thanks to the development of DNA technologies, new diagnostic instruments and the preventive actions that can be applied through suitable breeding programs. Nowadays cattery clubs, kennel clubs and veterinary associations should act to increase breeders’ awareness about health and welfare concerns in pedigree dogs and cats and to support them in their breeding choices. Moreover education programs and welfare certification systems could be possible tools to improve the sector.