A child's best friend?
Published
Is your child constantly pestering you for a pet, but you’d really rather not? A new study from Mars Petcare and the Waltham Petcare Science institute suggests that interactions with dogs significantly boost levels of oxytocin, known as the ‘love hormone’, in children, compared to playing with toys.
The research is among the first to explore the mutual benefits of human-animal interaction for both children and dogs.
In the study, oxytocin levels were recorded in 55 children and their pet dogs before and after they interacted. The researchers also looked at interactions with unfamiliar dogs. And oxytocin levels were also measured as the children engaged in solitary play.
The researchers found:
- Interaction with dogs led to higher oxytocin levels in children compared to solitary play.
- Both familiar and unfamiliar dog interactions had this effect.
- Interactions with familiar children may similarly stimulate oxytocin release in dogs.
Visit www.mars.com
Previous
Workplace guilt
