Dogs, like humans, experience stress that can be measured through changes in key hormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, and cortisol. Managing stress in companion animals is vital for both welfare and health. One simple method, stroking, has long been thought to help calm dogs, but its physiological effects have required scientific evaluation.
In this 2021 study, M. Karpiński, K. Ognik, A. Garbiec, P. Czyżowski, and M. Krauze examined 40 dogs of various breeds and sexes to test how stroking influenced stress markers. The dogs’ paw preference—an indicator of cerebral laterality—was also assessed, as right- and left-pawed dogs may process stress differently due to hemisphere specialization.
The findings demonstrated that stroking reduced cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and increased serotonin levels, supporting its role as a natural stress reliever. Interestingly, right-pawed dogs showed higher serotonin and noradrenaline levels compared to left-pawed dogs, and were found to adapt more effectively to stressful conditions. Male dogs generally had higher stress-related hormone levels than females.
These results confirm that stroking is a powerful stress-buffering tool for dogs, while also highlighting that biological differences such as sex and paw preference influence stress resilience. For owners and veterinarians, incorporating gentle tactile interactions can meaningfully improve dogs’ welfare and emotional health.
Source: Karpiński, M., Ognik, K., Garbiec, A., Czyżowski, P., & Krauze, M. (2021). Effect of Stroking on Serotonin, Noradrenaline, and Cortisol Levels in the Blood of Right- and Left-Pawed Dogs. Animals, 11. Authors: M. Karpiński et al. Publication Date: 2021-01-28. Journal: Animals.
