Can dogs become addicted? Scientists discovered that dogs can develop addictive behavior patterns similar to people who are addicted.

According to a recent study of 105 dogs, some dogs showed behaviours towards their toys that resemble behavioural of people who are addicted - for example to gambling or gaming,

The behavioral patterns of people who are addicted are characterized by compulsive engagement despite negative consequences. Although anecdotal evidence has previously shown that dogs may reach an addictive degree of attachment to their toys, this is the first published scientific study to confirm that dogs can be addicted to their toys.

Scientists (from Austria and Switaland) compared known human addictive behavioral patterns with behaviours exhibited by 56 male and 49 female dogs towards a toy selected by the dogs themselves at the start of the test.

The dogs ranged in age from 12 months to 10 years old and the most common breeds were Malinois, Border Collies, and Labrador Retrievers. The researchers also surveyed owners about their dogs’ everyday behaviours towards toys.

They reported that 33 dogs exhibited addictive-like behaviours. These included

being excessively fixated on their toy, showing a lack of interest in alternatives to their toy such as food or playing with their owner, making persistent efforts to access their toy when it was unavailable, and unable to calm down for 15 minutes after their toys were removed.

When their toy was inaccessible, these dogs spent longer durations focusing

on and trying to access the toy, and to prioritize accessing it over consuming food or interacting with their owner.

The scientists noted that further research may find out why and how this addiction of

excessively engaging with toys in dogs developed, and what health impact the addiction may have on the dogs.