Back in the ancient times, the relationship between dogs and humans was a bit transactional. We provided shelter and food and in return got protection and works like herding, guarding, etc. We then started seeking companionship from these canine buddies. Fast forward to today, we are sure that many dog parents in the world would rather stay with their dogs than children. Probably even make them their heirs (some even have). This is how much we love dogs. From the Royals to Hollywood stars, dogs have cast their magical spell on billions of people.
Now the question is, do dogs love us back? We know that they are loyal. But does loyalty = love? Is that morning face-lick a sign of love or merely an investigation of last night's dinner remnants?
And these questions are completely understandable. Especially if we look at recent statistics – (2)
65.1 million U.S. households own a dog
In 2022, Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets. That’s more than the GDP of some countries.
More than half of pet owners (51%) consider their pets to be a part of their family (while this is what the study shows, we are sure that almost every dog parent thinks of their canines as no less than their children)
We’ll dive deep into this and answer all your curiosities. Stay with us!
How to Know if Your Dog Loves You?
Dogs use various signs using their bodies to tell you that they love you and being with you. While it may not be possible to decode every unique sign that dogs use, there are some universal ones – (1)
Greeting and following you around all the time – A study has shown that not only do dogs cry, but they cry more when reunited with their human family.
Tail wagging when they see you – A sign of happiness after seeing your face
Licking you – Dog’s way of kissing you
Leaning against you with their full weight – A sign of comfort
A soft eye contact – A deeper bond of trust and obedience
Showing signs of happiness like tail wagging when they hear your name
Wanting to play with you - Basically trying to spend as much time as possible with you)
Sleeping near you. (46% of adults in the U.S. sleep in the same bed with a pet.) – An approval letter for your admission in their pack.
Showing their belly and asking for belly rubs – A sign of high degree of trust.
Sharing their toys with you – A return gift for occupying places important to you like your bed and couch.
Stealing your clothes – An attempt to be close to your scent
If you see these kinds of behaviors in your dog, you can be assured that your dog has bonded strongly with you.
Can My Dog Feel That I Love Her?
Remember the feeling when you feel butterflies in your stomach when you see that look at the love of your life or a cup of Madagascar Fine-Chocolate ice cream? It’s the oxytocin, the love chemical, in your brain talking. The same happens in dogs during positive social interactions like belly rubs, snuggling, playing, etc.
So, the answer is yes, dogs do feel the love you show them in various ways.
Do Dogs Actually Love Their Owners?
Looking at all the research we’ve done, all the reels and tik-toks we’ve seen, dogs definitely do love their owners. But here’s a twist in the story. It is possible for your dog to love you more and your sibling or partner a little less or the other way around.
This happens because not everyone in the family may behave in the exact same way with the dog. Your dog must like the way their favorite person interacts with them. It may be because of more play time, cuddles, respect for their space, more treats from them, etc. Such a human trait, isn’t it?
And talking about dogs and their love for humans, here’s a story for you.
It was during the 1920s, in the capital city of Japan, Tokyo – the story that captured the hearts of millions. Hachiko, an Akita dog, would wait at Shibuya Station every single day for his master, Prof. Ueno, who taught at the University of Tokyo, to return from work. Tragically, in 1925, the professor passed away suddenly at the university. Hachiko, unaware of this, continued to wait – not just for that day but for 10 years without missing a single day. One single hope – the beloved owner to step off the train and show his face.
The hope stayed with Hachiko till her death in 1935. This has now become a national symbol of loyalty and devotion. A bronze statue now stands at Shibuya Station, reminding everyone of the bond between a dog and its owner. (3)
If this is not love, then we don’t know what else is.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Now we do know that our canine buddies do love us. We love them back as well. And the best way to show love is to ensure the best cures and treatments when our loyal fur babies fall sick. They are prone to several medical conditions during their lifetime. These include – (4)
Skin infections
Kennel cough
Parvovirus
Dental problems
Obesity, etc.
During such times, your savings can take a serious hit if the illness turns out to be severe. With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of all the costs.
Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
Frost, K. (2024, May 10). Does my dog love Me? 12 Ways to tell & How to Say It back. The Dog People by Rover.com. https://www.rover.com/blog/does-my-dog-love-me/
Megna, M. (2024, January 25). Pet Ownership Statistics 2024. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/
Contributors to Wikimedia projects. (2024, January 24). Hachikō. Simple English Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D
Stregowski, J. (2024, May 20). Common dog diseases and health issues. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-dog-health-problems-1117863
