4 Ways your dog shows they love you

Do you ever gaze into your dog's soulful eyes and wonder if they love you as much as you love them?

As pet parents, our hearts leap with joy when our beloved canine companion races down the hallway to welcome us at the entrance. We feed them, tidy up after them, sacrifice our sleep as they claim our beds, brave the cold to take them outside, and cherish them deeply.

Research reveals that our dogs do share our feelings. Here are some ways that your dog shows their love. 

Physical touch

Humans are not the only ones who show affection through physical touch. The BCSPCA shares that dogs will often lean on you or cuddle you to show their affection for you. If your pup randomly jumps into your lap or walks over to lean on you, you should feel honoured – your presence comforts them. 

Sleeping with or on you is also a significant indicator that your fur baby loves you as much as you love them. Sleep can be a vulnerable time for pack animals. Trusting you while they are weak signifies that they see you as part of their pack and maybe even as the leader of the pack. 

Loving behaviours

Your dog can't run over to you and tell you with their words that they love you, but they can through their behaviour. VCA Animal Hospital indicates several behaviours that reveal our pups' true feelings about us. 

For most dog owners, the day's highlight is walking through the door and having their best friend greet them. Your pup may feel the same way about seeing you. When your dog reacts positively to you getting home through a wagging tail or jumping and running over to say hello, it is because they are excited to see you. 

After the excitement of getting home, you may also notice your dog following you around. They do this not just because they are nosy and want snacks, but because they enjoy being around you. If you're lucky, they may even present you with their favourite toy as they follow you. 

Not only will dogs physically follow you, but their eyes may, too; looking at you with loving eyes is a sign of affection for dogs. 

Emotional intelligence

Have you ever looked at your dog and felt like they understood you on a deeper level? This is because dogs are extremely emotionally intelligent, as found by Cambridge University. When you are sad or lonely, your dog will understand and try to show love through kisses and cuddles. When you're fearful, your dog will enter protection mode and be alert.

Brain chemistry

The chemistry of your dog's brain can reveal their affection for you. Oxytocin is a brain-produced hormone that assists in creating emotional connections. Studies have examined the levels of oxytocin in dogs before and after encountering their owners, and the findings are pretty fascinating. 

When dogs are reunited with their owners, their oxytocin levels increase significantly. Simultaneously, researchers observed decreased heart rates for dogs and their owners, suggesting they almost beat as one. 

Another study on brain hormones showed that dogs' reward centres activate when they see their owners. These chemical shifts indicate that dogs view their humans favourably, experiencing greater happiness and reduced stress in their presence. 

Keeping your loved one safe

The bond between a human and their dog is very special and complex. Many signs indicate our dogs love us just as much as we love them, which is a lot. To help keep your loved one safe, consider pet insurance. 

Pet insurance can help cover unexpected vet bills, and CAA Members save 13.5% on pet insurance with Pets Plus Us*. Call 1-833-323-2456 or get a quote online to get started.

*CAA Members receive a 13.5% discount. Non-members receive a 9% discount.

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