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New study suggests dogs produce tears when reunited with their owner

We're not crying, you are!
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If the thought of your dog missing you while you’re at work all day makes you feel all emotional, the results of a new study will break your heart just a little more. 

It turns out dogs do miss you while you are gone. In fact, researchers in Japan say your pooch is so full of emotion when reunited with you that they produce little tears. 

Tears of joy

The good news is these tears are tears of joy caused by an increase in oxytocin. 

“This is the first report on positive emotion stimulating tear secretion in a non-human animal and oxytocin functioning in tear secretion,” say the researchers in the journal Current Biology.

The study involved measuring tear volume in dogs before after reunions with their owners.

“We performed the Schirmer tear test (STT) and measured tear volume in dogs before and after reunions with owners and familiar non-owners,” they explain.

“Tear volume increased significantly during a reunion with the owner, but not with a familiar non-owner.”

Additionally, when researchers added oxytocin to the dogs’ eyes, the tear volume increased. This suggests oxytocin is the reason for the tears during reunions with their owners.  

Lastly, researchers asked human participants to rate their impressions of photos of dogs – both with and without tears. Dogs with tears scored higher. 

why dogs cry
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

How dogs communicate with humans

These results suggest that happy tears are another way dogs have evolved to prompt “human caregiving”. 

“Dogs reportedly have human-like social-cognitive skills, which are thought to result from convergent evolution with humans,” says the researchers. 

“Eye contact plays a pivotal role in attachment behaviour in dogs, with eye contact between dogs and humans eliciting human caregiving behaviour.” 

Including being able to raise their inner eyebrows at you. 

Is this for real?

The study, although small, is very real. However, not everyone thinks it’s possible for dogs to cry tears of joy (perhaps they’ve never owned a dog). 

Clive Wynne, a canine behavior specialist at Arizona State University, tells The New York Times , “I don’t buy it.” He adds using paper to measure the dogs tears might not be very accurate. 

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Profile picture of Livia Gamble
Writer Livia Gamble Senior Digital Content Producer

With a Bachelor’s degree in communications and over a decade of industry experience, Livia is a seasoned content producer and editor who has a knack for crafting articles brimming with helpful information you never knew you needed (but you do). She has covered various topics, from home decor and gardening to health and wellness, showcasing her versatility and expertise. Livia's writing has been featured in publications such as the lifestyle section of the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, she has worked as a content editor for various parenting and lifestyle brands, including Babyology and Essential Kids. When she isn’t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found crocheting ponchos and attempting to master the perfect homemade pizza dough.

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