When people and their four-legged best friends look each other in the eye, it is biologically strengthens the bond between them. This is the conclusion of Japanese scientists who have published the results of their study in the journal Science. According to their observations, during the eye contact as in humans and dogs it enhances the production of oxytocin. The same hormone is responsible for the communication between mothers and infants.

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When people and their four-legged best friends look each other in the eye, it is biologically strengthens the bond between them. This is the conclusion of Japanese scientists who have published the results of their study in the journal Science. According to their observations, during the eye contact as in humans and dogs it enhances the production of oxytocin. The same hormone is responsible for the communication between mothers and infants.

to make the connection between humans and dogs after eye contact, the scientists conducted a series of tests that proved an unequivocal ability of dogs to understand the human mind.

"With evolution, people have learned to use communication tools, including visual," says study co-author Dr. Takefumi Kikusui, working as a veterinarian and researcher in the Department of animal and biotechnology in the AZABU University (Kanagawa, Japan). - eye contact can act as a physical touch or a hug. And you can use this contact can not only humans, but also dogs".

agree With the Japanese and their American colleagues. the "People who consider their dogs family members, is definitely right," says Dr. Greg Nelson, head of the Department of surgery and diagnostic imaging at Central Veterinary Association in valley stream, new York. - a Dog is not just a domesticated animal that takes from us food and picks up some habits. Rather, these relations can be seen as parent - child or peer-to-peer". Consequently, that dog can really respond to visual contact with the person, is not surprising.

As the researchers note, oxytocin and the long looks at each other contribute to mutual affection of people and dogs. But the wolves - even those that grew side by side with people of such reactions was observed. Thus, this mechanism is a consequence of the coevolution of dogs and humans for thousands of years of coexistence.