Can Dogs Really Ease Our Pain? Dog Doctor, Always on Call!
May 26,2025 | Yee
If you’ve ever curled up next to your dog after a rough day and felt the stress or aches melt away, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it either. Dogs don’t just comfort us emotionally; research shows they can actually help reduce physical pain too. From therapy dogs in hospitals to your couch-loving Labrador, our four-legged friends might just be the most lovable painkillers around.
A 2020 study published in Pain Medicine found that chronic pain patients reported reduced pain levels after 10-minute visits with therapy dogs. The results were consistent: just being near a dog helps shift the brain's focus from pain to presence.
Spending time with dogs triggers a cascade of feel-good hormones.
- Oxytocin (the love hormone) surges during eye contact or petting, reducing stress and boosting pain tolerance.
- Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, are released when we play, cuddle, or even just hang out with our dogs.
- Dopamine, the “happy chemical,” increases, lifting our mood and dulling discomfort.
How Dogs Help with Different Kinds of Pain
Chronic Pain (like arthritis or back pain):
Dogs encourage movement. Even short walks release joint fluid and keep the body mobile. Plus, the emotional boost reduces perceived pain severity.
Post-Surgical or Injury Recovery:
Therapy dogs are increasingly used in physical rehab. Their presence improves patient compliance and motivation. Simply stroking a dog has been shown to reduce post-op pain perception.
Emotional Pain (grief, anxiety, depression):
According to the American Psychological Association, the presence of a dog can reduce loneliness and help regulate nervous system activity. This calms both emotional and physical distress.
Touching a dog activates tactile nerve fibers that send calming signals to the brain. As Barstow explains, the repetitive motion of stroking a dog mimics therapeutic techniques like rhythmic breathing or guided meditation. It helps regulate the nervous system, which can reduce both anxiety and pain.
If you live with chronic discomfort or just the everyday aches of life, spending more time with your dog can genuinely help.
Pain is a deeply personal experience, but you don’t have to face it alone. Dogs might not have medical degrees, but their instincts are pretty spot on. They know when you’re hurting, and more importantly, they know how to help.
So next time life hits you with a wave of aches or anxiety, don’t just reach for a bottle—reach for your dog. Because comfort sometimes comes with paws and a wet nose.