Doggy Obsessions: Study Reveals Addiction-Like Behaviors in Canines
A new study from researchers at the University of Bern and the Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine suggests that dogs can exhibit behaviors strikingly similar to addiction in humans. The research, published in Scientific Reports, found that approximately 31% of the dogs studied displayed signs of being overly fixated on toys, to the exclusion of other rewarding activities.
The experiments involved 105 dogs – 56 males and 49 females – ranging in age from one to ten years, with breeds like malinois, Border Collies, and Labrador Retrievers prominently represented. Dogs were observed playing with their preferred toys (including balls, ropes, stuffed animals, and hybrid toys) both with and without the presence of their owners and researchers. Crucially, scientists monitored their reactions when access to these toys was restricted.
Researchers identified several key behaviors indicative of this “addiction-like” state. These included intense focus on the toy, vocalizing distress when the toy was unavailable, a demonstrable lack of self-control, an inability to be diverted by other stimuli like people or food, and persistent play even when showing signs of fatigue or injury.
The study highlights that dogs are currently the only non-human animal species known to spontaneously develop behaviors resembling addiction. While the long-term health and well-being implications of this obsessive attachment to toys remain unclear, the findings underscore the complex behavioral parallels between dogs and humans, particularly regarding overmotivation and compulsive behaviors.
Link to original study: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-18636-0
(Image: freepic)
