Are Pets Capable of Love?
- posted: Feb. 16, 2020
Are Pets Capable of Love?
There’s no question, we love our pets. We snuggle with them, buy them treats and presents and treat them like members of the family? But do our pets truly love us back? Or are they only using us to gain food and access to the outdoors?
It turns out, animals do experience love. Several studies prove it! One looked at the hormone oxytocin which creates a strong bond between a mother and her child but is also released in both humans and dogs. A Japanese study in 2015 shows that when dogs and humans look into each other’s eyes, a spike of oxytocin is released. Wolves do not experience the same oxytocin release and tend to avoid eye contact with people thus researchers concluded the release of oxytocin, the chemical associated with love, is unique to domestic dogs.
Other studies show that areas of a dog’s brain associated with reward light up differently on an MRI when they smell their owner’s scent as opposed to the scents of other people.
Our canine companions also seem capable of recognizing human emotions like happy and sad and seek out their humans when frightened.
While cats are a little less needy than dogs, most cats do form emotional attachments to their humans. Studies show they prefer human contact choosing petting and affection over food and toys.
Other mammals, birds and even reptiles seem to recognize certain humans and may exhibit emotional attachments to people. And many animals seem to display affection towards other animals of the same or even different species and we know that they can experience grief and mourning when another animal or human dies.
But all the science in the world isn’t necessary to tell you that when your dog soulfully gazes deep into your eyes or your cat chooses to cuddle in your lap, motor running loudly, that’s love, pure and simple. We love our pets, and they love us back.
This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.
https://www.livescience.com/58438-cats-like-people-more-than-food.html
Location
Patton Veterinary Hospital
425 E Broadway
Red Lion, PA 17356
