Reuters, UK, April 16, Japanese researchers said that when people interact with dogs, especially when they look into each other's eyes, oxytocin (a hormone that helps strengthen the relationship between parents and babies) will increase on both sides.
Oxytocin, also known as "love hormone", is produced in hypothalamus and secreted by pituitary gland. It is related to emotional intimacy, maternal behavior, childbirth, breastfeeding, sexual arousal and other functions.
"Oxytocin has many positive effects on human physiology and psychology," said Kenshi Kikushui, a professor of veterinary medicine at Cannabis University in Japan. His research results were published in the American weekly Science.
In one experiment, a dog and its owner were in the same room, and the researchers paid close attention to their interaction and measured the oxytocin level in urine samples. It was found that people who made the most eye contact with dogs had the most increased oxytocin levels. Eye contact with the owner will also greatly increase the oxytocin level of dogs.
The researchers conducted similar experiments on wolves, close relatives of dogs, and found no such situation, although these wolves were also raised by humans.
"I have three standard poodles," Kikushui said. I feel strongly about my close relationship with these dogs. In fact, I took part in the test, and eye contact led to a surge in oxytocin levels in my body, which may be three times as high as usual. "
The dogs participating in this study come from different breeds and ages, including mini schnauzer, golden retriever, border collie, Labrador, Shiba Inu, standard poodle and beagle.