Our Love for Animals: Is it Chemistry?

| Print | By Jo Singer | March 4, 2009 11:13 AM

Some research scientists say that dog owners may feel the same depth of emotion while looking at their dog as mothers experience with their infants. According to the Daily Mail Reporter, Mail Online, in a recent trial they discovered that dog owners experienced a burst of oxytocin, a hormone known as the "cuddle chemical or "love drug", while playing with their pets. This hormone has been found to lessen stress in humans and also build trust.

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Miho Nagasawa and Takefumi Kikusui from Azuba University in Japan, both biologists, were inspired by their own experiences to do a research project on the subject. Mr. Kikusui told "New Scientist", "Miho and I are big dog lovers and feel something changed in our bodies when gazed (upon) by our dogs."

Recruiting 55 dog owners and their pets, they tested urine samples before and after a thirty minute play session in their laboratory. Some of the owners were placed in a control group and were instructed to simply sit in the room and completely avoid any contact with their pets. The group that connected with their pets rated their relationship as far more satisfying than the group who had no contact.

I found it fascinating that the control group demonstrated a slight drop in their oxytocin levels. Mr. Kikusui believes that the "cuddle chemical" may explain how depression and anxiety may be lifted by playing with a dog. The research scientists added that "oxytocin may have even contributed to the domestication of dogs from wolves, about 15,000 years ago. Mr. Kikusui continued, "Maybe during the evolutionary process, humans and dogs came to share the same social cues', such as eye contact and hand gestures. This is why dogs can adapt to human society."

So maybe this experiments proves that there is really something substantive about the chemical nature of contact with animals which adds not only to the pleasure derived from sharing our homes and hearts with pets, but also one which may prove useful in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

I would be thrilled to have my physician write me out a prescription for a puppy or kitten. I think this is a much more delightful and safer addiction.

Do you think that physicians would consider prescribing a pet to treat a patient? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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Comments (8)

Anonymous March 4, 2009 1:06 PM

For some people who have little or no interaction with other people, a new pet may be just what the Dr. ordered. Every person needs to love and be loved. If it is not possible for some humans to meet this criteria, a pupppy , or kiitty would be very satisfying for them.

Anonymous March 4, 2009 1:16 PM

We actually have 'pat a pets' in England where friendly dogs are taken to visit poorly or depressed people,I think it's a great idea.Our cats have helped me through many troubles and bereavements, its true the love for them makes you feel better. Ruth

Anonymous March 4, 2009 3:41 PM

LOL! I think it'd be great if physicians did write scripts for a puppy or kitten! You're right it'd be a much safer prescription than the pharmaceuticals they prescribe for depression/anxiety. I found it amazing that it took until 2008 before the Pope went public to answer the question: Do animals have souls? The answer of course is yes, animals do indeed have souls. Any pet owner could've answered this question long before he did I'm sure! I love my animals more than most of the people I've known in my life, that's for sure!

Keep Smilin',
lj

Thanks for another great article Jo!

Anonymous March 4, 2009 5:19 PM

Hey, count me in for one of those RX's...I saw the cutest 4 year old grey cat online at my shelter...could be Mouse's twin...I'm holding myself back....so far! Where are those handcuffs?

Anonymous March 4, 2009 5:58 PM

My doctor did! It was only way I could keep a dog in condo where I live. I would have been all alone after helping out at a rescue kennel for many years and my doctor did not think that would be a good idea for me to be alone so he wrote a letter to our board president stating I needed a therapy dog. It worked! She is my best friend, listens to my every word and is there to help me thru bad times as well as good. She and I will celebrate my 67th birthday on march 10. As long as I have Cindy beside me, am never alone. GOD BLESS!

Anonymous March 4, 2009 8:08 PM

Loved the article! Animals are an amazing part of my life and I couldn't imagine a life without them.

MichaellaS July 21, 2009 5:13 AM

tks for the effort you put in here I appreciate it!

Audillity October 27, 2009 9:17 PM

It took me 1 hour to create it, please rate it :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqnobvEWTag

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