A MENTAL HEALTH HORMONE IS RELEASED WHEN KIDS PLAY WITH DOGS

Recent research has demonstrated that positive interactions with dogs can significantly reduce stress, leading to the growing popularity of therapy dogs.

These mood-boosting effects are especially evident in children during their encounters with dogs. A team of researchers, led by Gitanjali E. Gnanadesikan at the University of Arizona’s School of Anthropology, believes they have identified a biological mechanism that explains how these human-canine interactions improve children’s moods.

A Mood-Improving Hormone

Recent research highlights oxytocin as a key biological factor. Often referred to as the “love hormone,” this chemical is known for its role in feelings of excitement with a partner and in the experience of falling in love. Additionally, oxytocin plays a significant role in the bonding between mothers and their infants.

Oxytocin is regulated and released by the hypothalamus, a brain region involved in functions like heart rate, body temperature, and digestion, as well as the pituitary gland, a small gland at the brain’s base that oversees hormonal and glandular functions. However, the psychological effects of oxytocin extend far beyond the sentiments expressed in Valentine’s cards.

Studies indicate that oxytocin is linked to a range of prosocial emotional states. These include behaviours that benefit others and foster cooperative interactions, such as helping, empathy, trust, and nurturing warm relationships with both people and animals.

Importantly, oxytocin also has antidepressant properties. Recent research suggests that a deficiency in oxytocin may play a role in the development of depression in individuals.

Oxytocin, Children, and Dogs

The latest study involved 55 children aged 8 to 10, conducted at the Arizona Canine Cognition Center. Each child made three visits, each with different activities. In one session, they played with their own pet dogs; in another, they interacted with a friendly and tolerant unfamiliar dog; and in the third, they engaged with various toys without any dogs present.

During each session, the research team measured the oxytocin levels in the saliva and urine of the participating children.

When analysing the results, researchers compared the dog interactions with the solitary play condition. Notably, playing with the child’s familiar pet dog led to a significant increase in oxytocin levels in their saliva. Interestingly, interactions with the friendly unfamiliar dog also resulted in a similar rise in oxytocin, nearly matching the levels observed with their own pets.

What Was the Effect on the Dogs?

One unique aspect of this study was that researchers also measured the oxytocin levels in the dogs involved, as well as the presence of corticosteroids, which are hormones associated with stress. It’s hard to imagine many people would be comfortable if reducing stress for humans came at the expense of increasing stress in the dogs who support us.

For the pet dogs, play interactions led to a rise in oxytocin levels that mirrored those observed in the children. Additionally, the concentration of stress hormones in the dogs’ blood decreased, indicating that the interactions with a familiar and friendly person are just as rewarding for the dogs as they are for the humans. It’s worth noting that only one unfamiliar dog was used for all 55 children, making it impractical to interpret hormonal changes for that particular dog across so many different interactions.

What Are the Implications of These Results?

In the United States, around half of all households with children also have pet dogs. Research increasingly suggests that pet ownership contributes to improved emotional health in child development, with dogs playing a significant role in children’s social networks. The authors conclude, “To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of the impact of positive social interactions with dogs on oxytocin levels in children.”

If your child is feeling a bit down or stressed, a play session with the family dog could help boost their oxytocin levels, alleviating some of those emotional symptoms. Additionally, oxytocin is unique in that it operates on a positive feedback loop; its release encourages the pituitary gland to produce even more. In contrast, most hormones follow a negative feedback loop, reducing production after their initial effect. This means that just 20 to 30 minutes of play or affectionate interaction with a dog can lead to elevated oxytocin levels that may provide several hours of natural mood-boosting and antidepressant effects.

This research suggests that spending time with a dog is an enjoyable and low-cost way to support a child experiencing “the blues.”