We’ve all experienced a dog or cat pawing at us to ask for a bit of physical affection: a scratch under the chin or stroking their soft fur. We love to pet our animals, but do they really enjoy it, too? How do our pets experience the physical love and attention we give them? In short, the science says it benefits them as much as it does us! Keep reading to lean more about why.
The Science Behind Petting
If you want to take a look at this biologically, there are studies that have been performed on mice that have proven the fact that petting is mutually beneficial for humans and animals. By analyzing hormone levels in both humans and dogs, scientists found that both parties experienced increased levels of oxytocin after petting.
Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” and helps to create a bond between two people (or animals). This hormone also has strong anti-stress abilities, which is why hanging out with your friends, family, or pets, can make you feel calm and relaxed.
Bonding and Trust
Since we can’t communicate verbally with our pets, showing them physical attention is really one of the only ways we can interact with them. Stroking, scratching, and cuddling are all ways of bonding with animals and showing them that we love and care for them and building a strong relationship.
Physical closeness and gentle interaction are also a great way of helping your pet build confidence, trust and a sense of security in their humans. This is especially important when getting to know an animal – you’ll need to show them that you’re gentle and not a threat to their safety. This is most easily achieved with soft and slow petting: gentle massages, and stroking their heads, backs, and ears.
Social Interaction and Attention
As much as we wish we could, we can’t talk to our pets. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that many animals, especially domestic pets, are highly social beings and absolutely need regular interaction in order to thrive and be happy. Alongside playing, training, and simply being around your pet, physical affection plays a big role in filling the gap in “conversation.”
If you’ve spent any time around animals, you will have noticed that they’ll often come asking for attention when they want it. Dogs might place their paw on your leg or even jump up asking for affection. Cats will often bump their heads against your hand, begging for a scratch behind the ears. To put it simply, this is their way of talking to you, and they love it when you talk back!
Physical Sensation and Pleasure
Not only is petting a great way of conversing and bonding with your pet to build your relationship, but it also feels good! In the same way humans love to get massages and foot rubs, or have their hair stroked by a partner, most domestic animals derive physical pleasure from the sensation of being touched by a gentle and loving hand.
Studies have shown that animals with fur have specific nerve cells that experience pleasure through soft, “massage-like strokes.” This is another win-win, because who doesn’t love the feeling of fluffy fur and soft, delicate kitten ears?
Health Benefits for Animals
As we’ve mentioned, petting can initiate the release of the oxytocin hormone in animals, which can have powerful anti-stressing properties. This means that not only can this help make an anxious animal feel relaxed, but it can also boost their overall mental health. Well-loved pets are always happier and less anxious animals with healthy brains and more positive behavior.
Just like with humans, good mental health can have a positive impact on physical health as well. Reduced stress and anxiety can promote better sleep, improved cardiovascular health, reduced pain and even better immune functioning.
Even better news is that this applies to both you and your pet! People who adopt pets often show a major decrease in mental health struggles like depression and anxiety, and having to take care of an animal can often help increase your physical activity too.
The Role of Evolution
If you take a look at animals in the wild, you’ll easily notice that the concept of “petting” is not a purely human addition to the existing behaviors in the animal kingdom. A lot of mammals exhibit grooming behavior between members of a family or pack which signals to them that they’re accepted and safe – a pleasurable feeling.
Petting can trigger some of these responses, highlighting how many animals have simply evolved to service pleasure in these behaviors. Similarly, you may notice cats and dogs (or even other pets) grooming one another to show acceptance and love. Some scientists believe it’s possible that domesticated animals experience petting as grooming which explains another reason why they enjoy the sensation.
Pet Preferences and Individual Differences
Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that all animals are different and will have individual preferences. Some breeds of domestic animals are more sociable and affectionate than others, and even within those breeds, every dog and cat is unique!
If you have a pet who doesn’t seem to enjoy too much physical affection, try to understand that it’s just part of their nature, and do your best to respect them. Even though you might want a cuddle, forcing physical affection on an animal can do more to damage your relationship than build it. Allow your animals their space and know that when they’re ready for some petting, they’ll come ask for it!
