Do Dogs Love Their Owners More Than Cats?

Dog or cat? This is a dilemma that many face when choosing a pet. Some of us have very clear ideas why we love either dogs or cats. The purpose of this article is certainly not one of the two species, both wonderful, but to tell you about a curious and scientifically proven fact: dogs would feel more love for us than cats.

Some researchers have been able to show that the love that a dog feels towards his owner exceeds that felt by a cat. We tell you how they did it.

Scientific research

Even cat lovers recognize it: the dog is generally more affectionate than the cat and this is due to a different personality. No matter how much scientific research is done, those who love cats will continue to do so and they will give us exceptional and unconditional love.

Nevertheless, we of My Animals are intrigued by everything that moves under this sky, especially when it has to do with pets, and here is what we have discovered.

A group of researchers thought of measuring the love of our four-legged friends through saliva. Saliva samples from cats and dogs were analyzed before playing with their owners and immediately after.

What did they want to achieve? Measure the levels of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone”; it is a substance that the body produces in large quantities when it experiences an intense emotion, for example when a mother is breastfeeding her baby or during orgasm.

Love test results: Dogs are more sensitive

What were the final results? The level of oxytocin in dogs, after playing with the owner, increases by 57.2%, while in cats by 12%. In one exceptional case, the love hormone contained in the saliva of one of the dogs increased by 500%.

As we have said, they are only laboratory tests that do not take into account the personality of the animal. Perhaps the increased excitability of dogs does its part. We know that cats are much calmer and maybe that’s why the love hormone hasn’t spiked in their case.

So, dog or cat?

Both. In fact, everyone has their own qualities and brings distinct things into our life. Choosing a pet is a matter of personal taste; however we can give you some suggestions that will help you choose the animal that best suits your lifestyle.

• Dog : It takes time and the commitment to take him for a walk three times a day, bathe him and groom him periodically. He will often seek your attention, and some may find this behavior too affectionate. Are you willing to have a companion who runs like a madman and welcomes you home with jumps, as if he hasn’t seen you for a year? If you have enough time and accept everything else, the dog is for you.

It will give you unreserved love or, if we want to speak in scientific terms, a 57.2% oxytocin.

• Cat : he is very independent and perhaps, at first glance, he seems less affectionate, but he too is capable of unconditional love. It requires less work, just a sandbox that will be cleaned daily. It should not be taken for a walk and, unlike the dog, it can be left in the house alone for even a whole day, if you take care to leave it fresh food and water.

The cat is a perfect choice if you love home tranquility or, for example, if you work from home and need calm and concentration.

This study showed that dogs feel more love than cats, but we still love them both. This is just a curious research that we wanted to share with you. Take care of your pet and enjoy his company!

And you, do you prefer dogs or cats?