Stress Reduction: Petting Dogs, Cats Reduces Stress Hormone Cortisol

Stress is dangerous when uncontrolled, but scientists of Washington State University found that petting cats and dogs can reduce cortisol, which is a contributor to stress. Thus, universities initiated "Pet Your Stress Away" programs where students pet dogs and/or cats to reduce stress.

Washington State University scientists showed that students' general well-being improved because of these programs. In addition, these also reduce stress levels.

The study demonstrated that 10 minutes of interaction of students with dogs and cats reduced cortisol, a major stress hormone, according to WSU's Department of Human Development associate professor Patricia Pendry.

The results of the study were published in AERA Open. Pendry's co-author was Jaymie Vandagriff, a WSU graduate student.

"This is the first study that has demonstrated reductions in students' cortisol levels during a real-life intervention rather than in a laboratory setting," according to Eureka Alert. Four groups from 249 college students were formed randomly. The study compared the effects of different exposures to animals. The first group were provided 10 minutes of hands-on interaction with dogs and cats. The second group waited in line while observing others petting the animals. The third group watched a slideshow of the same animals, while the fourth group was "waitlisted."

Different salivary cortisol samples were collected from each participant starting from the moment they woke up in the morning. There were significantly less cortisol in the saliva of students who had direct interaction with the pets.

"We already knew that students enjoy interacting with animals, and that it helps them experience more positive emotions," Pendry said. "What we wanted to learn was whether this exposure would help students reduce their stress in a less subjective way. And it did, which is exciting because the reduction of stress hormones may, over time, have significant benefits for physical and mental health."