Owner stress may influence dog stress levels, study finds
The study found that changes in the owner's heart rate predicted changes in their dog's heart rate.
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) are calling for veterinary practices to be more aware of owner stress after new research showed that it was linked to dog stress levels.
The study, led by veterinary surgeon Aoife Byrne, involved 28 dog owners and their pets. The participants were divided equally into two groups, one of which saw the owners take part in a stressful digital test, while in the other, the owners took part in a relaxing guided meditation.
During the activities, the owners’ heart rates were monitored to assess their stress levels. At the same time, the dogs’ heart rates were monitored to trace any correlation. Heart rate variability was also recorded and the owners completed a short questionnaire about their feelings of anxiety.
The researchers found that changes in the owner’s heart rate predicted changes in their dog’s heart rate, suggesting that the dogs were responding to how their owners were feeling.
They also found that the dogs’ heart rates generally decreased as the experiment went on and they got used to the new environment they were in.
Gareth Arnott, reader in animal behaviour and welfare at QUB, said: “The results of this research indicate that dogs may have the ability to display emotional contagion, which is the mirroring of emotion, and social referencing, e.g. looking for cues to inform their reaction to a situation, towards their owners in novel settings.”
Dr Byrne added: “This research also underlines the importance of incorporating methods to mitigate owner stress in veterinary settings, as this has the potential to also reduce the stress experienced by their dogs.
“The impact of veterinary professionals implementing the results of this research in their practices may improve the welfare of both dog owners, and their dogs.”
The study has been published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
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The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
