The Unknown Connection Between Canine Companions and Owners' Stress Revealed!
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from Linkoeping University in Sweden have discovered that long-term stress levels synchronize between dogs and their owners [1]. This research, led by Lina Roth, suggests that stress might transfer across species and has significant implications for the bond shared with pets.
The study, which involved 25 Border Collies and 33 Shetland Sheepdogs alongside their respective owners, focused on competition dogs and their owners due to the stronger bonds formed during training compared to household pets. The research team used cortisol as a key indicator, measuring levels from human hair samples and dog fur samples for analysis.
The findings reveal that stress synchronization occurs via an emotional contagion mechanism, where the dogs' heart patterns become synchronized with their owner's during stressful periods. This process does not require complex reasoning but arises automatically from close bonding between the dog and human.
Furthermore, this emotional connection is chemically reinforced through an oxytocin feedback loop. When dogs and humans engage in gentle eye contact, both experience increased oxytocin levels, often called the "love hormone." This oxytocin-mediated bonding is unique to domesticated dogs and is thought to have evolved specifically to glue dogs emotionally to their human owners.
Lina Roth emphasizes that while dogs may unintentionally pick up on their owner's stress signals, staying with them remains most beneficial. The study indicates that this deep interconnection between dogs and their owners is not just a matter of emotional bonding but also involves physiological processes.
This study provides valuable insights into the unique relationship between dogs and their owners, demonstrating the profound impact of stress on this bond. It underscores the importance of managing stress for the well-being of both pets and their owners.
References: [1] Roth, L., et al. (2021). Long-term stress synchronization between dogs and their owners. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88302-x.
- The discovery of long-term stress synchronization between dogs and their owners, as shown in the study by Lina Roth and her team, highlights the significant role that science plays in understanding health-and-wellness, including mental health, as it reveals emotional and physiological processes at play in this unique relationship.
- Moreover, the findings from this research underscore the value of managing stress not only for the health-and-wellness of dogs but also for their owners, as stress levels between pets and their humans synchronize via an emotional contagion mechanism, ultimately impacting the strength of their bond.
