A study by Gnanadesikan et al, supported by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute and published in Psychoneuroendocrinology has found higher levels of the so-called 'love hormone', oxytocin, in children after they interacted with dogs.

In the study: "Effects of human-animal interaction on salivary and urinary oxytocin in children and dogs1", oxytocin levels were recorded in 55 children and their pet dogs.

Oxytocin is associated with positive emotions, the reduction of stress and the formation of social bonds.

Oxytocin levels were tracked in both the children’s and dogs’ urine and saliva before and after they interacted.

Researchers say this is one of the first studies to examine the benefits of human animal interactions for both humans and dogs. 

For the study, the children's oxytocin levels were measured when they interacted with their own pet dog, with an unfamiliar dog (a trained therapy dog), and when they engaged in solitary play.

The study found that:

  • Interaction with dogs led to higher oxytocin levels in children compared to solitary play.
  • Both familiar and unfamiliar dog interactions had this effect.
  • Interactions with familiar children may similarly stimulate oxytocin release in dogs.
  • Dogs’ cortisol concentrations also decreased markedly from before to after these interactions.

The researchers concluded that the results support the hypothesis that oxytocin pathways may shape and respond to social interactions between children and dogs, highlighting an important role for companion animals in child development.

https://www.waltham.com/oxytocin-children-and-dogs 

Reference

  1. Gitanjali E. Gnanadesikan, Katherine M. King, Elizabeth Carranza, Abigail C. Flyer, Gianna Ossello, Paige G. Smith, Netzin G. Steklis, H. Dieter Steklis, C. Sue Carter, Jessica J. Connelly, Melissa Barnett, Nancy Gee, Stacey R. Tecot, Evan L. MacLean. Effects of human-animal interaction on salivary and urinary oxytocin in children and dogs, Psychoneuroendocrinology, Volume 169, 2024, 107147, ISSN 0306-4530, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107147.

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