The findings dont come as a huge surprise, feline aloofness is no secret, and dogs are loyal and adoring. As the brain chemical oxytocin has been strongly implicated in bonding, and cats are generally more independent than dogs, Zak wanted to find out whether its levels differed in these animals after interactions with humans. “For example, when we see our spouse or child the levels in our bloodstream typically rise by 40-60%”.
Advertisement
In the first part of the experiment, scientists took saliva swabs from dogs and cats that were alone.
Both showed an increase in the chemical, but the dogs had a 57 percent increase, while the cats only showed an average of 12 percent.
“So your dog really loves you … a lot”, Zak said.
At least the study proved that cats actually did like their owners.
Zak’s determination that canines love us more than felines do was just the latest bit of bad press for cats.
According to People Magazine, Dr. Paul Zak, who examined the results, “was really surprised to discover that dogs produced such high levels of Oxytocin”.
Dr Zak compared how much of the “love hormone” cats and dogs produces after having played with their owners. But if you’re a cat person, don’t hiss.
And if it weren’t for the research he’s conducted in regards to the amount of love dogs have for their humans, he says he might have not kept sweet, little Cookie.
The story dealt with a study by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the Bronx Zoo that compared the personality of the domestic cat with bigger, wilder members of the cat species. If you’re considering getting a pet, head to your local animal shelter and hang out with both cats and dogs.
Advertisement
One dog’s hormone went up a whopping 500 percent.
