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
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/)
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