Work

The Role of Companion Animals as ‘Sentinels’ From the One Health Perspective

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Companion animals, particularly dogs and cats, are becoming essential members of modern households. They consistently share both indoor and outdoor spaces with their owners, resulting in a substantial overlap in living environments. Although public health concerns associated with companion animals receive considerable attention, their potential role as sentinel species remains underestimated. This role aligns with the One Health concept, which emphasizes the interconnection and mutual influence of human, animal and ecosystem health. In this review, we discuss the sentinel role of companion dogs and cats from environmental hazards and parasitic infections. We also highlight their role in zoonotic diseases, with rabies and vector-borne diseases (VBDs) as examples. We aim to propose new ideas and methodologies to control and prevent these issues.

Source: Veterinary Medicine and Science

DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70814

Authors: Shenchen Kang, Yu Chen, Mengmeng Liu

Institution: Hainan University

Language: English

Topic: Zoonotic diseases and public health

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,880