Dogs have always been called man’s best friend but it turns out there is a science to back up just how strong that bond actually is. A 2022 study co-authored by Dr. Takefumi Kikusui of Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine in Sagamihara, Japan proved dogs tear up when they are reunited with their owners. Kikusui got the idea for the study when observing his own standard poodle’s reaction.
The tearing up is caused by a release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding. Humans are touched by this response and moved to care for the animal because of it.
“Dogs have a unique ability to interact with humans,” Kikusui explained. “We found that teary eyes of dogs facilitate human caregiving. Dogs have become a partner of humans, and we can form bonds. It is possible that dogs that show teary eyes during interaction with the owner would be cared for by the owner more.”
The experiment studied 22 dogs and their owners. The dogs’ tears were measured to begin with. Then the pups were sent to doggie day care for five to seven hours. The dogs were reunited with their humans and their tears were measured again. There were more tears after being reunited with their owners.
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Dr. Nicholas Dodman, CEO and president of the Center for Canine Behavior Studies, calls this study “fascinating.” Everyone wants to believe they have a special bond with their dog and now there’s scientific evidence. “I always thought they were more like us than many would think. It’s a charming study,” he mused.
