Can dogs get addicted to their toys? The surprising data revealed by a scientific study

Sometimes dogs ignore food, petting, and calls in order not to drop a ball. That everyday scene raised a question in science: Can this extreme attachment to toys look like an addiction?

The concern reached the pages of the magazine Scientific Reportswhere a team of researchers analyzed canine behaviors reminiscent of human behavioral addictionslike the game or the online video games.

It is not about stating that dogs are “addicts” in a clinical sense, but rather about observing signs that draw attention due to their similarity.

The promoter of the study was Stefanie Riemerbehavioral biologist Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine. For years you have heard owners define their pets as “addicted to the ball”. Noting that no one had evaluated that idea with scientific criteriadecided to put it to the test.

Riemer clarifies from the beginning that the work does not seek to label or diagnose. What they found, he explains, are indicators that partly resemble an addictionbut without stating that they are. The distinction is not minor and runs through the entire study.

This was the study that tested the “attachment” of dogs to toys

In humans, addiction usually has two faces. On the one hand, there appears intense desire and compulsive behavior towards a stimulus that generates pleasure or relief. On the other hand, negative reactions arise when that stimulus disappears, something similar to abstinence.

This is not to say that dogs are “addicts” in the clinical sense. Photo: Pexels

Furthermore, “an addiction means persist in something even though it has negative long-term consequences“, defines Riemer.

With that framework, the team wondered if something similar could be observed in dogs and their relationship with certain objects. To respond, they designed 14 tests and worked with 105 dogs with ages between 12 months and 10 years, of different sexes and races, including shepherds, terriers and retrievers.

In one of the experiments, The animals had to choose between their favorite toy —visible but out of reach— and another available reward, such as food or interaction with its owner.

Some dogs stayed fixated on the inaccessible toy, reached for it, or looked persistently at iteven when they had other options available.

Another trial evaluated what happened when the researchers removed all stimuli from the room: toys, food, and objects. The dogs with behaviors closer to compulsion failed to calm down. They walked through the space without pause and concentrated on the door or the shelves where the toys used to be.

What the study revealed

When analyzing the results, a clear pattern emerged. The pastoral breeds, like him German Shepherd or Belgian Shepherdthey obtained the higher scores in these types of behaviors. It is not a coincidence since they are dogs bred for tasks that require focus, perseverance and high motivation, such as police work or rescue.

Riemer warns that Some dogs show high levels of frustration when they do not get the expected reward, something that negatively impacts your well-being or work. In simple words, It’s not a healthy situation..

Some dogs show high levels of frustration when they don’t get the expected reward. Photo: Pexels

Animal behavior specialists who did not participate in the study appreciate that the research opens a new line of analysis. Julia Espinosaresearcher at the York Universityin Toronto He believes this is a solid first step, although it raises key differences with human addictions.

Espinosa points out that, in cases like the compulsive gamblingpeople are aware of the risk and, many times, that risk is part of the attraction. Dogs, on the other hand, do not understand the possible negative consequences of their behavior.which leaves open questions about how far the comparison goes.

Even so, the expert highlights that the study focuses on canine well-being and avoids a simplistic or merely anthropomorphic view. Understanding these behaviors could influence future training and behavior management approaches.

Riemer emphasizes that only Small Group of Dogs Show Really Worrying Levels of Object Attachment. In these cases, the challenge is reduce compulsive behavior and improve the animal’s quality of life, a terrain that future research should explore.

For your part, from the field of animal welfare, Holly Molinaro, scientist specialized in animal welfare Animal Wellbeing Solutions reinforces that it is a exploratory study. It is not useful for diagnosing or drawing hasty conclusions.