Whilst it’s important to get the right nutrition, exercise & have your medical needs properly met, a good dose of oxytocin is also vital for health. But where do you get that?

Oxytocin is a natural hormone produced by our brain, stored & released into the bloodstream by the pea-sized powerhouse pituitary gland. Colloquially known as the ‘love hormone’, oxytocin helps in a variety of vital functions around the body; increasing contractions to induce labour in females, plus release of breast milk & placenta after birth. It plays a role in sperm & testosterone production in males. It’s also key in promoting trust, social recognition & attachment; take the parent/infant bonding as one of the most important examples.

Amazingly, oxytocin crosses over into the wonderful bond we humans can develop with our pets. Studies have shown that we can increase an oxytocin release in pets by playing with & patting them - (preferably one we know, even better if it’s our own pet!). A 2019 joint-study found that “when dogs and humans interact with each other in a positive way (for example cuddling) both partners exhibit a surge in oxytocin” (see “The Role of Oxytocin in the Dog–Owner Relationship” below). Cats have also shown that they experience an oxytocin release when interacting with their owners, given the right conditions (i.e., On their terms); head massages, patting them the right way & play time with owners are some instances that saw oxytocin increase in a cat-sample. (see Hills article below). We’d love to see a definitive study if there is a correlation between oxytocin release & cat purring... Calling all the smart cat-science people!

But what if you or your pet don’t get enough oxytocin? There are biological reasons the pituitary gland may not produce enough & there’s also Touch Starvation - a deprivation of physical contact. Signs of oxytocin (touch) deprivation include increased anxiety, irritability & insomnia. Talk to your vet if you feel your pet is not thriving despite plenty of oxytocin inducing opportunities.

FYI Here's Terrence the Kitty, purring throughout his head massaging at #MittagongVet today. The Life!

“Expectations during my hospital-stay include non-stop head massages.” Says Terrence the Kitty

If you’d like for both you & your pet to both feel and be better, have a cuddle! (Doctors orders).

Dr Keith McKellar Stewart BVSc (Hons)

Sources:

- “The Science Behind Our Love for Pets” Kara Murphy, Hills Pet Nutrition, January 2022.

https://www.hillspet.com/pet-care/behavior-appearance/why-humans-love-pets?lightboxfired=true#

- “Oxytocin” healthdirect.gov.au, August 2023. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/oxytocin

- “The Role of Oxytocin in the Dog–Owner Relationship” National Library of Medicine.Oct 2019.

Marshall-Pescini S, Schaebs FS, Gaugg A, Meinert A, Deschner T, Range F. The Role of Oxytocin in the Dog-Owner Relationship. Animals (Basel). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826447/

Read more about oxytocin in:
Australian Pituitary Foundation: https://pituitary.asn.au/

Your Hormones: https://www.yourhormones.info/

John Hopkins (The Friend who keeps you young): https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/

Harvard Medical School (Oxytocin: The love hormone): https://www.health.harvard.edu/