Introduction
There is an ongoing debate over whether dogs actually feel love from kisses or if they just tolerate this human display of affection. While dogs may not experience kisses the same way humans do, there is evidence to suggest that dogs do derive feelings of love, comfort, and pleasure from kisses.
This article will examine the behavioral and biological signals that indicate dogs feel positively towards kisses from their human companions. Key factors include oxytocin release from physical contact, differences between breeds and individual dogs, brain scans showing reward center activation, and signs like tail wagging and relaxed eyes. Though some skepticism exists, overall there appears to be sufficient proof to conclude that yes, dogs do feel love from kisses.
Kissing Behaviors in Dogs
Licking and kissing behaviors are quite common in dogs as a way to strengthen social bonds. When dogs lick or “kiss” human faces, especially around the mouth, it’s a social bonding behavior stemming from their early development (Chewy). Puppies begin displaying licking behaviors shortly after birth, licking their mothers’ mouths to encourage nursing and food regurgitation. This mouth-to-mouth contact continues into adulthood as a friendly greeting. Licking other dogs’ faces and mouths is a social bonding mechanism that helps maintain cooperative relationships within a pack.
Dogs also lick human faces for sensory stimulation and to show submissiveness. The mouths of humans and other dogs have many capillary blood vessels near the surface, so when a dog licks, it gets a taste of blood, which can be appealing. Face licking may also release “happy hormones” like oxytocin and dopamine in the brain, encouraging bonding. So when dogs lick and “kiss” their owners, especially around the mouth, it likely represents an affectionate greeting ritual and a desire to bond.
Oxytocin Release from Physical Contact
Research has shown that when dogs and humans interact positively through physical contact like petting or grooming, both species exhibit an increase in oxytocin levels (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826447/). Oxytocin is a hormone released in the brain that promotes social bonding and attachment. A study comparing pet dogs and shelter dogs found that pet dogs had higher baseline oxytocin levels after positive interactions with their owner through grooming or petting (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93922-1). This indicates that regular physical contact encourages the release of oxytocin, reinforcing the social bond between dog and human. Scientists believe this oxytocin feedback loop is similar to the bonding process between human mothers and infants. Research shows that when owners interact with their dogs through petting, playing, or other touching, dogs experience a surge of oxytocin, which makes them feel more lovingly bonded with their human.
Evolution of Dog-Human Relationship
Dogs and humans have had a close relationship going back tens of thousands of years. There is evidence that wolves began scavenging around human camps as long as 30,000 years ago. Over time, wolves evolved to better understand human body language and social cues in order to gain access to food. This mutual relationship developed into the domestication of dogs as humans selected certain wolves to breed. According to Discover Magazine, dogs and humans have co-evolved to be uniquely attuned to each other’s social signals. For example, dogs can follow human eye gaze and pointing to locate food, while wolves cannot. This ability to read human cues was an evolutionary advantage that helped domesticated dogs survive and integrate into human society.
Brain Scans Showing Positive Response
Research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans demonstrates that dogs have a positive response in their brains when interacting with humans, especially their owners. One study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports looked at the brain activity of dogs when they saw human faces versus everyday objects. The scans showed increased activation in the dogs’ temporal lobe, an area associated with facial recognition, when viewing human faces (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-79247-5).
Another fMRI study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences specifically examined dogs’ brains when interacting with their owners versus strangers. It found increased activity in the caudate nucleus, an area associated with positive expectations and rewards, when the dogs saw and smelled items belonging to their owners. This suggests dogs find interactions with their owners intrinsically rewarding (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9534402/).
Overall, these brain imaging studies provide evidence that dogs have a neurologically positive response to interactions with humans, especially their owners. This implies dogs feel emotionally rewarded and form affectionate bonds through this contact.
Tail Wagging and Eye Contact
When dogs make eye contact with their owners, it often leads to tail wagging as a sign of happiness and bonding. As pack animals, dogs view eye contact as an important social signal. According to a Reddit user, “It’s a way to communicate and if no one is ‘listening’, there is no reason to ‘talk.'” [1] When a dog makes eye contact with its owner, it is signaling that it wants to interact and receive affection. The accompanying tail wag is an expression of excitement and readiness to engage.
Tail wagging in particular can have multiple meanings based on the wider context of the dog’s body language. Broadly speaking though, a relaxed wag indicates happiness and anticipation of positive interaction. As VCA Animal Hospitals explains, “When dogs are alert, they stand with their ears up and tails raised.” [2] The eye contact and raised, wagging tail together demonstrate the dog’s enthusiasm and desire for engagement with its beloved human.
Breed Differences
Some dogs breeds enjoy human contact and affection more than others. According to one source, the friendliest dog breeds that love people include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Bulldog (source). These breeds tend to be extroverted, energetic, and eager to please their owners. Their genetics make them naturally sociable and drawn to close interactions with humans.
Other particularly affectionate breeds noted for enjoying human touch and physical closeness are Newfoundlands, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chihuahuas, Poodles, and Great Danes (source). These dogs often thrive on snuggling, petting, hugging, and being near their favorite people.
In contrast, some breeds are more aloof or independent. For example, Chow Chows, Basenjis, Afghan Hounds, and Shar Peis tend to bond with their families while needing less direct physical contact. Still, individual preferences vary, so generalizations about breed dispositions provide limited insight (source).
Individual Dog Differences
Just as humans have unique personalities, dogs also exhibit individual differences in their bonding behaviors. A dog’s temperament can influence how it bonds with its owner. For example, according to a study from K9 Anytime, more sociable and people-oriented dogs tend to form stronger attachments, while timid and fearful dogs may struggle to bond. Additionally, extroverted dogs often show more overt affection through behaviors like licking and jumping, while some calm or aloof breeds are still deeply attached even without obvious displays. Understanding a dog’s unique personality is key to interpreting its capacity for bonding and love. Just because a dog does not excessively lick or cuddle does not mean it feels less love from kisses and physical contact.
Alternative Explanations
While many believe dogs feel love from kisses, there are some skeptical voices. On internet forums like Reddit, some argue that a dog’s positive reaction to kisses is simply a learned behavior rather than an expression of actual love or emotion.
According to some experts, a dog’s tolerance for kisses is not necessarily an indication that they enjoy it or feel loved. Dogs have evolved to please humans, so they may allow kisses even if they don’t particularly like it. Their positive response could simply be a result of conditioning and their eagerness to get rewards like praise, petting, or treats from their owner.
Some evidence indicates dogs may just see kisses as a benign interaction with a trusted human, rather than as an expression of love. In a study referenced on this Reddit thread, MRI scans showed less brain activity for dogs receiving kisses compared to more stimulating interactions like playing.
Ultimately, while dogs form strong bonds with humans, their emotions and internal experiences are still quite different from our own. So ascribing complex emotions like love to a dog’s reaction to kisses may be more of a human projection than an accurate reading of the canine mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evidence presented in this article strongly supports the idea that dogs do indeed feel love and affection from human kisses. While we can’t get inside a dog’s mind to know for certain, the hormonal and behavioral signs point to dogs experiencing positive emotions when kissed by familiar humans. The mutual gaze, oxytocin release, tail wagging and positive neurological responses all suggest that kisses reinforce social bonding between people and their canine companions.
This is likely the result of thousands of years of domestication and close interaction between our two species. Though dogs may not conceptualize a kiss in the same way humans do, the science indicates our displays of affection positively impact dogs and strengthen our relationship with them.
So in short – yes, when you kiss your dog, they do feel the love! This conclusion is supported by research into canine behavior, brain activity, hormones, evolution and the deeply intertwined history between humans and dogs.