We already know how much we love our dogs and cats, but how do we know if they actually love us back? 

A plethora of research has been done to try to answer this exact question and the results are in – our pets do love us back! While they may not show it in the same ways us humans do, our dogs and cats have their own unique ways of showing affection towards their human companions.  

Using brain scans, researchers have been able to link certain behaviors in cats and dogs to the times in which “feel good” and “bonding / love” hormones (like oxytocin) are released. This connection indicates that these behaviors can be a physical display of the love they are feeling at the time.

If these behavioral signs of affection are shown when they see or smell us, it is further evidence of the strong attachment bond our pet’s make with their humans!  

Dogs show love in extremely varied ways! Some dogs may be over the top while others are much more subtle. Like humans, it all depends on their attitude, temperament, and preferences. Below are some of the more common ways that dogs show love and affection for their humans. 

One of the most obvious ways that dogs show their affection is through physical contact! Licking your face, pawing at your hands, asking for some play time, and even squeezing into your lap (despite their size) are all great examples of ways that dogs show affection through physical contact. When seeking some extra love from their human, they know just how to ask for this time to cuddle and connect! 

Relaxed eye contact with a human is another great example of dogs showing their love for you! Studies have shown that humans have transferred the mutual bonding moments of gazing into each other’s eyes to our pet dogs. And as we look lovingly into our dog’s eyes, our brains release oxytocin (a love hormone). Dogs smell this hormone and begin to release oxytocin of their own! 

We all know a happy tail wag when we see it! Tail wagging in dogs can mean a wide variety of things – joy, excitement, hesitation, and even more. But a loose, relaxed wagging tail most often means delight for your dog, and presumably yourself! Some dogs will even wag their entire body, bringing every muscle into a shake. 

It’s hard for dogs to contain all that joy and energy when on a walk, but they will often turn around to check on you every once in a while. Your dog wants to make sure that you’re safe and keeping up. Dogs are pack animals, and this behavior shows that they consider you as a key member of their pack; they want to make sure all their loved ones stay together. 

Cats are known for being much more distant than their expressive canine companions, but anyone lucky enough to have a cat understands that they have their own ways of showing affection and love. Here are just a few ways that you can see that your cat loves you: 

Some cats can be quite talkative, meowing and chatting with you as they go about their lives. While these cat noises can be a demand for more food – sometimes, it’s just a sign of their love and affection. Cats don’t usually meow at people they don’t have a connection with, so take it as a sign that your cat loves you.

Is your cat bumping into you? This unique, gentle bump (referred to as “bunting”) is another great way your feline friend shows their love. They may also rub their cheek against you. This is their way to mark you as a familiar, loved figure using feline facial pheromones. 

You have likely been given a strange gift from our cat. While dead mice, suspicious treats, toys, and birds can certainly alarm us, this is a great gesture of affection from your cat! Your cat is bringing its’ prey and catch to take care of you – just hope it’s of the stuffed variety! 

Some cats will show their grooming routine as a sign of affection. Your cat may also knead on you with their front paws. Kneading behavior in cats likely comes from days as a nursing kitten when similar paw movements would help stimulate milk production from their mother. Affection comes easy when your cat is comfortable and feels safe with you. 

Now that you’re spotting signs that your dog or cat loves you, it’s time to return that love!  

Attention and touch are easy ways to build your bond and give them a big boost of oxytocin. Make sure you give them the praise, playtime, toys, and treats that they crave to experience with you. Share your physical touch by petting, scratching, and stroking them lovingly. Most importantly, check in and pay attention to your pet’s needs. What can you do in this moment that will help to keep their brains and bodies happy and healthy? 

Dogs and cats can be incredible gifts to experience love and companionship in our lives. That’s why it’s important to share your love and protection with them. Take a moment out of your day to show your dog or cat just how grateful you are that they’re in your life. 

This post was formed from content provided by Zoetis®; the original version can be found at zoetispetcare.com