Studies Find That Dogs Are Capable of 'Happy Tears'

Researchers have discovered that when their owners return, dogs shed emotions of pleasure. In accordance with a study released in the journal Current Biology; dogs have the ability of shedding expressive cries, particularly when they see a person they like.

The 'Happy' Tears of a Dog

In the statement given by Takefumi Kikusui of Azabu University in Japan, which is also the co-author of the study, he claimed that the current research discovered that dogs cry connected with happy feelings More so, researchers additionally discovered oxytocin as a potential factor underpinning it, the news media site - Newsweek reported.

Intelligent beings weep expressive tears when they are joyful or unhappy. This is assumed to have evolved as both a nonverbal interaction signal and a healing display of sadness or excessive delight.

Comprehensive studies of joyful emotions in dogs as well as numerous different living creatures have not really been actually accomplished at all beforehand, besides that creatures have been reported based on anecdotal evidence to display symptoms of delight or eagerness when their humans come back home, including such swinging their tails and starting to run through wildly.

As per Science Daily update, in order to evaluate the theory, the investigators conducted a Schirmer Tear Test on a cohort of 22 canines, which entails quantifying the amount of the dog's tears. Investigators discovered that when the dog was returned with their owner, the degree of emotions generated by their eyes rose dramatically when opposed to a person they were acquainted with however was not at all their holder.

With this Kikusui affirmed that specialists have never really known of the revelation that creatures burst into tears in joyous circumstances, like as reconnecting with their masters.

Throughout the investigation different theories came to surface and another conclusion drawn from the research was that when an antidiuretic hormone compound was administered to the dogs' eyes, their tear stream rose even more, The Telegraph published.

This shows that oxytocin, a binding hormone generated in the human body through delivery and experiencing love, may have a role in tear production after an owner-dog reconciliation.

Also read: Former Farm Vet Kayaks Off The Coast of Cornwall and Captured 'Thrilling' Footage of 30ft Whale

Emotions Shown by Dogs for Their Owners

As stated by the scientists, this behavior developed to make canines increasingly inclined to be loved and respected for by sentient beings, comparable to puppy dog eyes.

In the report published recently which was covered by Science, the writers have stated that more so than some various species, dogs have developed or been tamed through conversation with people and have achieved high-level coordination capabilities with humans utilizing effective communication.

Kikusui also said in a previous comment that dogs have evolved into human partners, and it's possible to build ties. It is probable that in this method, dogs who display teary eyes during engagement with the master would be attended for more, as per CNN.

Nonetheless, because the sampling population in this investigation was so limited (only 22 canines), future testing at bigger sizes might help to solidify the observations.

Furthermore, according to Mirror, the writers and editors aim to explore regardless of whether dogs weep in reaction to unpleasant thoughts and feelings, as well as if animals shed tears of happiness when they rejoin with other canines, which might have consequences for dog socializing and human adoption.

Related article: Can Bringing Extinct Species to Life Affect Conservation of Other Species?