Study Reveals Benefits of Physical Contact with Dogs for Stress Management

Petting your dog could offer more than a smile, as indicated by a new study examining interactions between dogs and their owners. Research from the University of Innsbruck suggests dog owners who touch their dogs after stress experience reduced stress levels during subsequent challenges.

Dr. Monica Berntsen, a consultant psychologist and neuropsychologist uninvolved in the study, explained to Newsweek that familiar dog interaction might signal safety to the nervous system. ‘Human brains continually ask, am I safe? Stroking a known dog answers yes through the body,’ she noted. ‘Slow, rhythmic touch, warmth, and a calm, familiar animal all signal the nervous system to relax.’

The study, published in Biological Psychology, included 64 dog owners—51 women and 13 men—with an average age of 34. Participants brought dogs aged at least two years, healthy, and comfortable in new settings.

Researchers exposed participants to two stressful tasks: a timed general knowledge quiz and a mental math exercise. During the quiz, participants had five seconds to answer each question. For math, they counted backward by fixed numbers while following a blinking red dot, with video call monitoring and negative feedback.

Participants faced two separate test conditions. In one, they could touch their dogs, stroking and petting them. In the other, dogs were nearby on leashes, visible but untouchable. Researchers monitored brain activity and heart rates, also assessing participant emotions at key points.

The initial goal was to see if petting could speed up stress recovery. Results showed no immediate recovery benefits. Notable differences emerged during the second stress task. After the first challenge, participants took a five-minute break. Those touching their dogs during the break exhibited weaker stress responses to the next task.

Berntsen indicated gentle touch’s physiological effects might include activating the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ system and raising oxytocin levels, reducing heart rate and cortisol response. She compared this to ‘social buffering’ found with trusted people in stress situations. ‘A brain informed of safety starts the next stress with more resources,’ she said. ‘It avoids rapid panic.’

Those with dog contact maintained higher alpha-wave brain activity, indicating reduced brain activation. Participants denied touch during the break didn’t show this effect. The familiarity of one’s dog, Berntsen stated, enhances calming signals: ‘A strange dog is assessed; your dog assures the brain of safety, delivering fast, deep calming signals.’

Despite changes in biological responses, participants’ reported feelings didn’t always match them. Stress levels expressed didn’t always align with heart rates or brain activity. Findings suggest dog contact may influence future stress responses, not recovery speed from existing stress.

Berntsen cautioned against considering dog petting a treatment for anxiety, noting, ‘Regular calm moments may lower stress baselines over time, but studies are limited. It’s a simple, pleasant way to prepare the nervous system for tough days.’

Reference: Vanessa Kaufmann et al., “Pet-induced stress buffering depends on touch: Evidence from brain and cardiac measures,” Biological Psychology (2026), DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2026.109366

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kara Dolman and Emma Lee-Sang.