Work Stress Spreading to Your Dog? Study Shows How Owners’ Anxiety Affects Pets

Ever notice your dog pacing or whining when you’re stressed out from work? A new study suggests your job woes might be rubbing off on your furry friend.

Research published in Scientific Reports, led by Tanya Mitropoulos and Allison Andrukonis, reveals that dog owners who can’t shake work stress at home—through a habit called work-related rumination—may inadvertently stress out their pets. The study surveyed 85 working dog owners, examining their job stress levels and how often they dwell on work during off-hours. They also tracked canine stress behaviors like restlessness or excessive barking.

The findings? Dogs of owners with high job stress showed more anxious behaviors, even when other household stressors were considered. Owners didn’t always notice their pets’ distress, but the dogs’ actions spoke volumes. The key culprit: owners mentally dragging work home. This emotional crossover means your stress can ripple to your pooch, a phenomenon scientists call emotional contagion. Dogs, ever-attuned to our moods, pick up on subtle cues like tense body language or a distracted tone.

Another angle? Stressed owners might skip walks or be less consistent with feeding, unsettling their dogs’ routines. Since most Americans see pets as family, the study underscores the need to leave work at the office—not just for your sake, but for your dog’s well-being too.

So, next time you’re home, ditch the work worries. Your dog deserves a stress-free best friend.