Short-Term interaction between dogs and their owners: effects on oxytocin, cortisol, insulin and heart rate an exploratory study
Abstract
The aim of this exploratory study was to determine heart rate and the levels of oxytocin, cortisol, and insulin in dogs and their owners in response to a short-term interaction. In addition, the dogs' behavior was studied. The owners' responses were compared with those obtained from a control group. Ten female volunteers and their own male Labrador dogs participated in an experiment during which the owner stroked, petted, and talked with her dog during the first 3 minutes. Blood samples were collected from both dog and owner before (0) and at 1, 3, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the start of the interaction. Blood samples were analyzed by EIA. Heart rate was monitored telemetrically. The data were analyzed using linear mixed models and paired t-tests. The dogs' oxytocin levels were significantly increased 3 minutes after the start of the interaction (p = 0.027). Cortisol levels were significantly increased after 15 and 30 minutes (p = 0.004 and p = 0.022, respectively), and heart rate was significantly decreased after 55 minutes (p = 0.008). The dogs displayed normal behaviors during the experiment. The owners' oxytocin levels peaked between 1 and 5 minutes after interaction (p = 0.026). No such effect was seen in the controls. Cortisol levels displayed a significant decrease at 15 or 30 minutes in both owners and controls, and insulin levels did so at 60 minutes (p = 0.030, p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, p < 0.0001, respectively). Heart rate decreased significantly in the owners at 55 and 60 minutes (p = 0.0008) but not in the controls. In conclusion, short-term sensory interaction between dogs and their owners influences hormonal levels and heart rate. However, further studies need to be performed in order to better understand the effects of interaction between dogs and their owners.
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Similar stress-reducing and health-promoting effects occur following human-animal interaction as following human-human interaction.
“In addition, similar stress-reducing and health-promoting effects have been demonstrated to occur following human-animal interaction as following human-human interaction (e.g., Handlin et al., 2011).”
From The Oxytocinergic System as a Mediator of Anti-stress and Instorative Effects Induced by Nature: The Calm and Connection Theory (2021) · cites this paper as Handlin et al., 2011
Three minutes after dog owners stroked their dogs, dog plasma oxytocin levels had increased.
“Indeed, a subsequent study showed that 3 min after dog owners stroked their dogs, dog plasma oxytocin levels had increased (Handlin et al., 2011).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Handlin et al., 2011
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- Authors
- Handlin, L., Hydbring-Sandberg, E., Nilsson, A., Ejdebäck, M., Jansson, A., & Uvnäs-Moberg, K.
- Affiliations
- University of Skövde (SE)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
- Systems Biology Research Centre, University of Skövde, Sweden
- Corresponding author
- Handlin, Linda
- Venue
- Anthrozoös
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-09
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 301-315
- ISSN
- 0892-7936 (ISSN-L)
- 1753-0377
- OpenAlex
- W1984975814
- Cited by
- 373
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 24 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 5.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Anthrozoös (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, oxytocin, cortisol, insulin, heart rate, petting, stroking, human-animal bond, dogs, Labrador Retriever, stress hormones, human-dog communication
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