Oxytocin and Dogs – Do They Really Love You?

Feb 19, 2017
3 min read

Updated: Apr 13

Dog making eye contact with owner oxytocin bonding

For those of us living closely with dogs, it’s always felt obvious — our “fur-babies” really do love us as much as we love them. But it’s not just a feeling anymore… science supports it.

What is Oxytocin?

Often referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone,” oxytocin is produced in the brain (specifically the hypothalamus) and released via the pituitary gland. It plays a key role in social bonding, trust, and emotional connection.

Oxytocin was first studied for its role in childbirth and nursing, where it helps facilitate maternal bonding. However, research over the past two decades has shown that it is equally important in broader social behaviours — including attachment, cooperation, and even empathy — in both humans and animals.

The Science Behind the Human–Dog Bond

One of the most fascinating discoveries in animal behaviour research is that dogs and humans share an oxytocin-based bonding system — similar to the one seen between parents and infants.

A landmark study published in Science Magazine by Takefumi Kikusui and colleagues found that mutual gaze between dogs and their owners increases oxytocin levels in both.

In simple terms:When your dog looks into your eyes, both of your brains release oxytocin — strengthening your emotional bond.

This is particularly remarkable because:

In wolves, direct eye contact is typically seen as threatening or aggressive
Even hand-reared wolves tend to avoid prolonged eye contact with humans
Dogs, through domestication, have evolved to use eye contact as a bonding tool

This suggests that dogs didn’t just adapt to live alongside us — they adapted to emotionally connect with us.

What Did the Research Show? Do dogs love their owners?

Kikusui’s team studied dogs, their owners, and a group of human-raised wolves.

They found that:

Dogs and owners who spent more time gazing at each other showed significant increases in oxytocin
Some pairs experienced increases of over 100%
Wolves did not show the same response or behaviour

This “oxytocin feedback loop” mirrors the one seen between human mothers and their babies — a powerful indicator of attachment.

Do Dogs Love Us More Than Cats?

Later comparative studies explored whether this effect exists in other species.

Dogs consistently show strong oxytocin responses during interaction with humans. Cats, while capable of bonding, tend to show more subtle and variable responses, and research suggests their oxytocin increase is generally lower on average.

However, it’s important not to oversimplify this into “dogs love us more than cats.” Instead, it reflects different evolutionary paths:

Dogs evolved as highly social, cooperative animals alongside humans
Cats retained more independence and did not undergo the same level of social domestication

The Role of Oxytocin Sprays

Some studies have explored how oxytocin nasal sprays affect dog behaviour.

Findings suggest:

Oxytocin can increase social behaviours like gaze and proximity
Effects may vary between individual dogs
Some studies observed stronger responses in female dogs, though results are mixed and not fully conclusive

Importantly, this area is still being researched, and oxytocin should not be used casually or without veterinary or professional guidance.

What Does More Recent Research Say?

More recent studies (2019–2024) have reinforced and expanded these findings:

Dogs use human-like social cognition, including eye contact and facial reading
Oxytocin plays a role not just in bonding, but also in stress reduction for both dogs and owners
Positive interactions (petting, calm presence, gentle communication) consistently increase oxytocin levels
Secure human–dog relationships can improve behavioural outcomes and emotional resilience in dogs

There is also growing evidence that the human–dog bond activates similar brain regions to those involved in close human relationships.