Why does petting/playing with our pets make us happy? Even if the pet is sleeping we still feel happy just from touching them?

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Why does petting/playing with our pets make us happy? Even if the pet is sleeping we still feel happy just from touching them?

In: Biology

5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

It feels nice to be anchored and reminded that you’re not alone. And soft things are nice. 🙂

Anonymous 0 Comments

My link was removed, because I didn’t also explain. First here’s that link again:

https://iheartdogs.com/new-research-shows-that-petting-dogs-is-like-a-drug-for-our-brains/

While researchers aren’t 100% sure why, when we pet our dogs, look at them, or even just think about them, our brains release some “happiness” hormones, like oxytocin. Oxytocin is the same chemical that mothers’ brains release when suckling a newborn, and it’s also released in the brain of her infant. Similarly, dogs’ brains have been shown to release happy hormones too, so they love us as much as we love them!

Anonymous 0 Comments

They’re cute! They’re fuzzy! You’re caring for a thing you love, which a lot of people find relaxing. I mean, my dog is sort of like a moving stuffed animal; it’s pretty hard to do anything but smile when I look at him.

Anonymous 0 Comments

There is a link between interaction with pets (especially dogs and cats) and the release of oxytocin (the “love” hormone) and a decrease in cortisol (the stress hormone).

Oxytocin is a hormone responsible for promoting emotional attachment, alleviating stress, and triggering a calming effect.

Source(s): [Oxytocin and Cortisol Levels in Dog Owners and Their Dogs Are Associated with Behavioral Patterns: An Exploratory Study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5645535/)

Anonymous 0 Comments

We have spent generations and generations to genetically modify these things to be adorable! I adore my dog! But I know, that he is then product of casual eugenics!!! Meh