The Science of our Relationships with Pets!
22nd May 2024 - Last modified 4th July 2024
We’re a team of animal lovers here at Alto, so we wanted to take a closer look at just why we get so much out of the relationships we build with our fluffy (and sometimes scaley) friends!
Pets aren’t just something that we own – they quickly become a part of our families and we form bonds with them that are just as strong as those with any human. A key factor in this is a neurotransmitter called oxytocin, which we have talked about in a previous post.
During one study, participants were asked to interact with and pet dogs. The researchers found that the participants serum oxytocin levels were raised after these interactions, suggesting that the calm and relaxed feelings they experienced were due to increased oxytocin levels. Hormone interactions may affect the efficacy of these interactions, as research has shown women have a stronger positive response to pet interactions than men [1].
However, it’s not just oxytocin levels that are affected by interacting with our pets!
As well as raising oxytocin release by the hypothalamus, these interactions also cause our levels of cortisol and insulin to decrease.
Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal cortex in response to stress via a pathway involving the amygdala, sympathetic nervous system, and hypothalamus. Cortisol is essential in fight or flight responses, as its catabolic products provide energy to the body and enable us to stay on high alert. Similarly, insulin is essential in breaking down glucose for energy, so the decrease in levels of these two hormones results in a feeling of calm [2].
Similar effects are also observed in the pets we bond with, so this is a mutually beneficial mechanism!
By utilising these interactions, it is possible to implement animal-assisted therapies that benefit human patients and the animals that help them.
At Alto marketing, we think getting the word out on the latest innovations in science and healthcare should be stress free! Contact us today to discuss how we can help promote your products and services (we promise we don’t bite!)
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References:
1.DeVoe, D. C., Hickey, M., Kennedy, C. C., et al. 2015. An Examination of Changes in Oxytocin Levels in Men and Women Before and After Interaction With a Bonded Dog. Anthrozoös, 22(1), 31-42
2.Ejdebäck, M., Handlin, L., Hydbring-Sandberg, E., et al. 2015. Short-Term Interaction between Dogs and Their Owners: Effects on Oxytocin, Cortisol, Insulin and Heart Rate—An Exploratory Study. Anthrozoös, 24(3), 301-315
