Petting Dogs Was Supposed To Lower Stress—Scientists Found Something Else
The real benefit may kick in later than expected, with researchers uncovering a surprising shift in the body's response to stress.
A new study from the University of Innsbruck reveals that dog owners who physically interact with their pets after experiencing stress show lower stress levels when facing subsequent challenges. Dr. Monica Berntsen, a neuropsychologist, suggests that interacting with a familiar dog signals safety to the nervous system, helping it to relax.
The study, published in Biological Psychology, involved 64 dog owners who completed two stressful tasks: a timed quiz and a mental mathematics exercise. Participants were divided into two groups, with one group allowed to touch their dogs during a break, while the other group did not. Those who touched their dogs during the break showed weaker biological stress responses upon facing the second challenge.
The study found that participants who physically interacted with their dogs maintained higher alpha-wave activity and kept their heart rates lower, indicating reduced stress levels. The researchers caution that the findings do not imply that petting a dog can treat anxiety, but rather that regular moments of physical contact with familiar dogs may help keep the body's stress baseline lower over time.
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