dog oxytocin connection

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Dogs and the cuddle chemical

February 1st 2009 05:10

A dose of oxytocin just for you

Researchers in Japan have determined that playing with pet dogs can release a feel-good hormone associated with infant care.

The hormone oxytocin, also known as the bonding hormone, the cuddle chemical and the love drug, has been known for some time to be released in the body at times of romance, friendship and child care. Research has shown that it counters stress and depression, and breeds trust.

All of these relate to humans and human interaction.

Two Japanese dog lovers who happen also to be research biologists decided to investigate further. They enlisted 55 dog owners, had them play with their pets for 30 minutes, and provide urine samples (from the owners, not the dogs) to measure oxytocin levels before and after the play session.

The sessions were videoed and eye contact time between human and dog was recorded.

It was found that those owners who experienced lengthy eye contact (an average of two and a half minutes) during the play session had a 20 per cent rise in their oxytocin levels during the session.

Those who tended to spend longer periods making eye contact also tended to rate their relationship with their pet as more satisfying.

Mr Kikusui said that an increase in the hormone level could explain why playing with dogs can lift moods and even improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Oxytocin might have played a part in the domestication of dogs from wolves about 15,000 years ago. Mr Kikusui said: "The reason I did this research is because I am a big dog lover and feel something changes in my body when I am gazed at by my dog. Maybe during the evolutionary process, humans and dogs came to share the same social cues, such as eye contact and hand gestures. This is why dogs can adapt to human society."

The research was published in the latest edition of the journal Hormones and Behaviour.
www.newscientist.com, www.telegraph.co.uk

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Pet interaction

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Comments

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Comment by HoundChef

February 1st 2009 06:18

You bet, love that oxytocin, love that eye contact, although I've noticed that some dogs don't like a lot of eye contact, has to do with who is the boss. Anyway, imagine they had to do research to notice that we feel better when we play with our dogs... suspect we could all have told them that and saved loads of dollars. Probably tax dollars at work. Great article.

Comment by Chris Champion

February 1st 2009 10:46

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Hi Janice, I've been making eye contact with my greyhounds for hours today, ever since I read about oxytocin. Pity they've both been fast asleep the whole time.

Comment by Queenie

February 2nd 2009 02:20

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I can gaze at that greyhound in the photo all day long.

Comment by Carolyn Cordon

February 2nd 2009 05:45

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Food Leaf

I have lots of eye contact with dogs, but sometimes the ey contact is more about showing I'm boss, not being lovey dovey! That damn diggy dog, I hate him sometimes! Sorry La De, love you heaps.

It's been too hot for him to dig the past few days. I love him when he's fast asleep inside!

Comment by Chris Champion

February 2nd 2009 05:59

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Hi Queenie, on behalf of Daisy, thank you

Hi Boss, is he still digging! You better do what we did - pavers!

Comment by Queenie

February 2nd 2009 06:05

Quirky Folk
Quirky Queenie

Hi Chris,

I used to be scared of greyhounds but thanks to your blog, I am quickly overcoming my fear.

Comment by Chris Champion

February 2nd 2009 06:08

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Queenie, I've been touched by a few comments in my time, but that's about the nicest comment I've ever had.

Comment by Carolyn Cordon

February 2nd 2009 06:31

Light Within
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Food Leaf

I'd be scared of greyhounds if I was a fluffy bunny, that's for sure. People though, greyhounds seem to love them. Pharaoh Hounds sure do!

Comment by Chris Champion

February 2nd 2009 06:36

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Greyhounds - absolutely the world's most unlikely guards dogs. If mine woke up - and in the middle of the night that's a big if - they would think, "Hmmm, strangers carrying the TV, the fridge and the washing machine out the back door. Wish they'd hurry up so we can go back to sleep."

Comment by HoundChef

February 2nd 2009 17:26

Greyhounds and burglars? Humm, what you said, or if daytime, and awake, they'd jump up, ask for treats, scratches, and follow them around wanting to help. Not the best guard dogs in the world, I agree. Silly snuggler bumps.

Janice

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