Many people view their dog as a family member, friend, or kid, but does the relationship with them really resemble these human relationships? Researchers from ELTE Eötvös Loránd University now set out to explore the precise role dogs play in human social networks by comparing human-dog relationships with human-human relationships using 13 relationship scales.

Their study revealed that the owner-dog relationship can be interpreted as a mix of child and best friend relationships, combining positive aspects of the child relationship with the lack of negative aspects of friendship, blended with a high level of control over the dog.  Interestingly, while owners often rate their relationship with their dog as superior to any human bond, the study also found that more support in human relationships correlates with more support in dog-owner bonds, suggesting that dogs complement human relationships rather than compensate for their deficiencies.

Our relationship with dogs has evolved dramatically since domestication. Once primarily working animals, dogs have become cherished companions, often considered ‘substitute children’ in many Western societies. Despite this shift, little is known about the specific social roles dogs fulfill in our network of relationships.

Human social networks consist of different partners who offer varying forms of support. For example, romantic partners provide intimacy and aid, children offer opportunities for nurturing and relationship security, while best friends are sources of low-conflict companionship. The study, recently published in Scientific Reports, examined how dogs compare to these human relationships.

Over 700 dog owners rated 13 relationship characteristics regarding their dogs and four human partners: their child, romantic partner, closest relative, and best friend.

Results showed that owners rated their bond with their dog as the most satisfying and their dog as their best source of companionship. Owners also felt that their dog loved them the most among all partners. Moreover, similar to children, dogs scored high in nurturing and relationship security and, like best friends, had low levels of antagonism and conflict with their owners. However, there is also a greater power imbalance toward the owner in the relationship with dogs than with any human partner.

“Unlike in human relationships, dog owners maintain full control over their dogs as they make most of the decisions, contributing to the high satisfaction owners report. Compared to humans, the relationship with dogs involves few conflicts and minimal negative interactions” The power asymmetry, having control over a living being, is a fundamental aspect of dog ownership for many” – explains senior author Enikő Kubinyi, Head of the Dept. of Ethology at the ELTE and head of MTA-ELTE “Momentum” Companion Animal Research Group. “The results highlight that dogs occupy a unique place in our social world—offering the emotional closeness of a child, the ease of a best friend, and the predictability of a relationship shaped by human control—revealing why our bonds with them are often so deeply fulfilling.”

The study also examined how dog and human relationship ratings relate to one another and found that strong human relationships correlated with stronger bonds with dogs.

“We expected that people with weak human relationships would rely more on their dogs for support, but our results contradict this,” says co-author Dorottya Ujfalussy. “In our sample, people did not seem to use dogs to compensate for the insufficient support in their human relationships.” 

However, the researchers note that their sample consisted of volunteers who were likely more satisfied with their relationships than the average dog owner. The study may therefore not fully capture the experiences of vulnerable individuals who rely more heavily on their dogs for emotional support. 

“Dogs offer different kinds of emotional and social support depending on the needs of their owners,” – explains Borbála Turcsán, first author of the study. “Some people seek companionship and fun, others need trust and stability, and some simply enjoy having someone to care for.”

Instead of placing the dog-owner relationship into the predefined categories traditionally used in such studies—like ‘family member’ or ‘pet’—the researchers introduced a new, multidimensional approach that better captures its complexity. This framework not only helps us understand how dogs fit into our social lives, but may also reveal where people turn to dogs to fill emotional gaps, and why, for many, the bond runs so deep.

New Curtin University research into the overlooked environmental impact of pet dogs has found far-reaching negative effects on wildlife, ecosystems and climate.

While ecological damage caused by cats has been extensively studied, the new research found dogs, as the world’s most common large carnivores, present a significant and multifaceted environmental threat.

Lead researcher Associate Professor Bill Bateman, from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the research found that human-owned, pet dogs disturb and directly harm wildlife, particularly shorebirds, even when leashed.

“As well as predatory behaviour like chasing wildlife, dogs leave scents, urine and faeces, which can disrupt animal behaviour long after the dogs have left,” Associate Professor Bateman said. “Studies have found that animals like deer, foxes and bobcats in the US are less active or completely avoid areas where dogs are regularly walked, even in the absence of the dogs.”

Dog waste also contributes to pollution in waterways and inhibits plant growth, while wash-off from chemical treatments used to clean and guard dogs from parasites can add toxic compounds to aquatic environments.

“In addition, the pet food industry, driven by a vast global dog population, has a substantial carbon, land and water footprint.”

Associate Professor Bateman said addressing these challenges required a careful balance between reducing environmental harm and maintaining the positive role of dogs as companions and working animals.

“Dogs are incredibly important to people’s lives and their roles range from providing companionship to contributing to conservation efforts as detection dogs,” Associate Professor Bateman said. “However, the sheer number of pet dogs globally, combined with uninformed or lax behaviours by some owners, is driving environmental issues that we can no longer ignore.”

The study also sheds light on barriers to sustainable pet ownership, finding that while the dog food industry is a key factor in national sustainability action plans, only 12 to 16 per cent of dog owners are willing to pay more for eco-friendly pet food, largely due to rising costs. Additionally, a lack of awareness among owners about the impact of dogs on the environment compounds the issue.

“Many owners simply don’t realise the environmental damage dogs can cause, from disturbing wildlife to polluting ecosystems,” Associate Professor Bateman said. “Others may feel their individual actions won’t make a difference, leading to a ‘tragedy of the commons’ where shared spaces like beaches and woodlands suffer cumulative degradation.

Restrictive measures, such as banning dogs from sensitive areas are necessary for protecting vulnerable species but they are not a complete solution. “We are calling for a collaborative effort between dog owners, conservation groups and policymakers to develop strategies that balance pet ownership with environmental care.”

The paper, ‘Bad Dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs,’ has been published in Pacific Conservation Biology and can be found online here: https://doi.org/10.1071/PC24071.

For pet parents, every day is another chance to shower their pets with love.

But as FYI: Did you know that in the US alone, people spent a record $27.5 billion during Valentine’s Day, 32% purchased gifts for their pets, according to an annual survey conducted by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

“Dogs are very in tune with their pet parents’ emotions,” said Dr Aziza Glass, expert vet for Freshpet. “Pups are sure to feel the love from the actions and little things pet parents do.”

Consider these vet-recommended ways to show your pets just how much you love them:

• Cook a batch of pet-friendly treats: Since the classic Valentine’s Day gifts of chocolate and candies are out of the question for dogs, homemade treats are a great alternative. Dehydrated veggies and fruit treats are easy options. All you need to do is choose pet-safe fruits and vegetables and bake them for a few hours. Some pet-friendly foods include strawberries (loaded with vitamins C, B1, B6, K and more), cranberries (include antioxidants to help prevent inflammation) and beets (packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals).
• Switch to a fresh, healthy diet: The way to your pet’s heart is often through his or her stomach. One of the best ways you can show your love is by making the switch to fresh food like Freshpet, the leading fresh pet food brand. Freshpet is not only nutritious, but also made with fresh meat and veggies, so it’s great for picky eaters.
• Create sustainable DIY toys: Sure, you can buy your pup a new toy this Valentine’s Day, or you can make your own with items lying around your house. It’s quick and easy to make a crinkle chew toy. If your dog likes that crinkle sound, try covering an empty plastic water bottle with a sock or two. Your dog will go nuts for the sounds it makes when chewing and it’s a green way to reuse before recycling.
• Plan a doggie play date: Socialization is important for everyone – dogs and humans alike. Head to a nearby dog park or plan a play date with some neighborhood friends to get your dog out and playing with others. In addition to providing an excuse to run around with friends, your pup will thank you for it later.

By sharing these thoughtful gestures, dogs will be showering their pet parents with kisses, which triggers endorphins in both dogs and humans, reinforcing the bond between the two even more.

Discover more ways to show your pets some love by visiting Freshpet.com.