Animal Behaviorists Reveal Why Pets Mirror Our Stress Mor...

By Alyce Collins

Life and Trends Reporter

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It’s often said that pets replicate their owner’s behaviors, but it’s not just those early bedtime routines and naps on the couch that they copy.

Have you ever felt stressed or anxious around your pet, and wondered what they might be thinking? It turns out they might be feeling just the same because, so strong is the bond between human and pet, they can even mirror our stress levels.

Indeed, as many animals have been domesticated and learned to view people as part of their community, they’ve picked up on our behaviors. Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, chief of veterinary behavior services at the Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group, tells Newsweek that pets have “evolved to recognize and understand human communication,” whether that’s body language, verbal tone, or even biological markers.

“They have developed to recognize human body language and those physiological signs of human emotion and changes in our emotional state,” Tu said. “As a result, that can influence their own emotional state and manifest in physiological changes that look like they're mimicking humans.”

So how do pets copy our stress levels?

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The Science Behind Stress Synchronization

A study published in October 2024 found that the heart rate variability (the slight fluctuations between heartbeats) of a dog and its owner can mirror each other. By observing 25 dogs and their owners while wearing ECG electrodes, researchers found that when the owner was relaxed or stressed, so too was their dog.

Heart rate variability isn’t the only way of monitoring the connection, however. Hormone levels can also be key, as Tu highlighted the importance of oxytocin and cortisol levels.

She explained that a lot of the time, the bond between an owner and their dog “mimics that of a mother and her child.” Just as a woman’s oxytocin levels increase with their child, a Japanese study found that owners experienced a 300 percent increase in oxytocin after spending 30 minutes with their dog.

“We also know that dogs can be more sensitive to semiochemicals, which is essentially pheromones, and changes in scent compared to humans,” Tu said.

“There may be things that they are picking up on, like certain smells, that in their experience show that this human is stressed. Perhaps our scent changes, our muscles get tense, so that dog, based on their experience and their domestication, they subsequently may feel more tense.”

The Emotional Contagion of Stress

The longer you know someone, the more likely you are to pick up on their non-verbal cues. Pets can often do that with their owners too, as they learn to interpret body language and tone of voice to gauge how their owner is feeling.

Michelle Bernstein, an associated certified applied animal behaviorist with Switch4Good, told Newsweek that animals can develop an “emotional contagion” whereby they learn (and replicate) the emotions of those around them. This can occur with both positive and negative feelings.

“Animals are observant to our visual cues and can pick up on a change in our behavior and actions. To sense stress levels, they will also use their sense of smell and observe changes in that as well,” Bernstein said.

Of course, it doesn’t just lead to behavioral changes, but also physiological changes too. As discussed, heart rate variability and hormone levels are significant markers, but Tu also suggests that there could be a connection between the gut and brain.

She said: “There's a lot of information coming out about gut bile and how your gut flora can impact emotional state. We know that gut bile is shared with household members, and we would assume that also extends to pets. So that could subsequently cause changes to your gut flora. What you eat can impact your stress level and your brain chemicals, so it just makes sense that it is all interconnected.”

The Role of Personality and Attachment

Some pets may mirror their owner’s stress more than others, as Bernstein suggests that it depends on how close their relationship is. The closer the connection, the more mirroring that can occur.

This bond can be measured by the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS), which uses 28 items on a scale to assess the perceived bond. Researchers often factor the MDORS into evaluations, including a 2022 study which found that the dog and owner relationship can be associated with the dog’s emotional reactivity.

The level of connection can also be tied into the breed or species of animal, as Tu explains.

“Dogs who were bred for herding are used to looking at environmental changes and being sensitive to them,” Tu said. “They seem to be a little more responsive to human cues, so they tend to have higher correlations with their cortisol level with their owner’s compared to perhaps some more ancient breeds or solitary hunting breeds that were not really bred for that.

She continued: “Sheepdogs need to know how to work with the human to do their job. Humans were selective to breeds for these types of traits, and as a result, these dogs are highly sensitive to human needs.”

When it comes to stress, Bernstein believes the most pivotal factors include the animal’s environment, as well as social or biological elements.

Tips for Breaking the Stress Cycle

If owners notice their pet is showing increased signs of stress, Bernstein recommends figuring out the root cause and making lifestyle changes accordingly. As animals are so good at observing our behaviors, it may be something we need to change to help not only ourselves, but our pets too.

Bernstein told Newsweek: “What environment were they raised in or are currently in that might be resulting in stress behaviors? Is there something new happening in the animal’s life that might be resulting in stress? Are they experiencing any medical issues?

“If the animal is becoming stressed due to the human's stress levels, there needs to be a change in both their lives. They need to create a calm environment that has a stress-free routine. All animals need enrichments like puzzle toys and safe space to play, and humans should always use positive reinforcement.”

For any concerns, Tu recommends speaking with a veterinarian for guidance. They could suggest training mechanisms, environmental changes, or potential medication to help ease the pet’s stress levels.

Pets can improve our wellbeing in so many ways, from our cardiovascular to our mental health. But human personality traits can impact them too, so owners should attune themselves to their pet’s emotional needs just as much as their physical needs.

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