Wellbeing Effects of Human-Pet Touch in Dogs versus Cats

This study examined the link between human-pet touch and pet wellbeing and further compared dogs and cats, given that dogs tend to be more social. A sample of 443 pet caregivers (owners) rated their companion animal's (pet's) wellbeing and reported on the duration and types of physical contact with their pet. Stroking emerged as the only form of owner-initiated touch that significantly predicted higher levels of perceived pet wellbeing. Among pet-initiated behaviors, leaning and, less consistently, bunting (i.e. head rubbing) showed positive effects. Importantly, wellbeing benefits depended on the context of touch, the owner's affective response to touch, and/or the species. Effects of owner stroking and pet leaning appeared only in dogs, whereas effects of rubbing/bunting were evident only in cats. Together, these findings provide novel evidence for the role of physical contact in household pets' wellbeing and highlight additional factors, including species-specific sociality, that shape the effects of touch.