Neurophysiological Correlates of Affiliative Behaviour between Humans and Dogs
Abstract
Few physiological parameters for positive human-companion animal contact have been identified and those that are established have all been in humans. The implication is that if the physiological reactions are mutual, dogs would experience the same psychological benefits from these neurophysiological changes as humans. Therefore, we have determined the role of certain neurochemicals during affiliation behaviour on an interspecies basis. Our results indicate that concentrations of beta-endorphin, oxytocin, prolactin, beta-phenylethylamine, and dopamine increased in both species after positive interspecies interaction, while that of cortisol decreased in the humans only. Indicators of mutual physiological changes during positive interaction between dog lovers and dogs may contribute to a better understanding of the human-animal bond in veterinary practice.
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There are positive associations between human-dog interactions and humans' endogenous oxytocin concentrations.
“There are positive associations between human–dog interactions and humans’ endogenous oxytocin concentrations [6,7].”
From The Experience of Teleworking with Dogs and Cats in the United States during COVID-19 (2021) · cites this paper as [6]
Two main reasons underlie the development of ARBs in companion animals: first, many companion animals are social species eager for social contact, and the need for social contact with either conspecifics and/or humans can remain unfulfilled if owners work from nine to five, five days a week with the pet staying alone at home on a daily basis.
“Two main reasons underlie the development of ARBs in our companion animals. First of all, a lot of companion animals are social species eager for social contact. In the human–companion animal bond, the need for social contact with either conspecifics and/or humans [70,71] can remain unfulfilled if owners work from nine to five, five days a week with the pet staying alone at home on a daily basis.”
From A One Health Perspective on the Human-Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. (2020) · cites this paper as [70]
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- Authors
- Odendaal, J. S. J., & Meintjes, R. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Pretoria (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Odendaal, J.S.J
- Venue
- The Veterinary Journal
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-05
- Volume
- 165
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 296-301
- ISSN
- 1090-0233 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2034710031
- Cited by
- 742
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 24 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 56 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 48 · 2019: 62 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 54 · 2016: 51 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 3.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Veterinary Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Keywords
- human-dog interaction, affiliative behavior, interspecies interactions, neurochemicals, beta-endorphin, oxytocin, prolactin, phenylethylamine, dopamine, cortisol, human-animal bond, companion animals
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affect, Animals, beta-Endorphin, Human-Animal Bond, Dogs, Dopamine, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Oxytocin, Phenethylamines, Prolactin, Stress, Psychological
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