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If you have more than one dog at home, you may have noticed something remarkable: when one dog becomes upset or stressed, the other often responds. Some dogs gently nudge or sniff their distressed companion, while others actively try to distract them with play or affectionate behavior.
For many pet parents, this raises an interesting question — do dogs feel empathy for each other?
Researchers have begun exploring this question, and a fascinating study conducted at the University of Vienna suggests that dogs may indeed experience and express empathy toward other dogs, especially those they know well.
Understanding Emotional Contagion in Dogs
Scientists have long recognized a basic form of empathy called emotional contagion. This occurs when an individual senses and mirrors the emotional state of another. In many species, including dogs, this can mean becoming stressed when hearing distress signals such as whining or crying.
Previous studies have already shown that dogs can display empathy toward humans—for example, responding to crying babies or distressed owners. Researchers at the University of Vienna wanted to determine whether dogs also show empathy toward other dogs, particularly those they live with.
A Study of Canine Housemates
To explore this question, researchers recruited 16 pairs of dogs of various breeds. Each pair had lived together in the same household for at least one year.
The study began by placing one dog from each pair in an unfamiliar room while their owner briefly left. When the dog began to whine or cry due to the unfamiliar situation, the sounds were recorded.
Researchers also recorded distress sounds from unfamiliar dogs and created a computer-generated control sound with similar frequencies and timing.
Over the next six weeks, the second dog from each pair was brought into a separate unfamiliar room. The owner sat quietly in a chair facing away from the dog and wore headphones to ensure they did not influence their pet’s reactions.
After the dog had time to settle, one of three sounds was played through hidden speakers:
• The recorded distress of their housemate
• The distress sounds of an unfamiliar dog
• The computer-generated control sound
Researchers carefully observed and recorded the dogs’ behavioral reactions. They also measured heart rate, stress hormone levels (cortisol), and body language before and after each recording.
Immediately after the sounds were played, the dogs were reunited with their housemate.
How Dogs React to Distressed Companions
The results were striking. Dogs reacted far more strongly to the distress sounds of other dogs than to the artificial control sounds.
Common stress-related behaviors included:
• Lip licking
• Yawning
• Whining
• Lowered body posture
• Tucked tail
• Shaking
Even more interesting, the dogs showed stronger stress reactions when they heard the distress sounds of their own housemate compared to those of unfamiliar dogs. This suggests that dogs are able to recognize and emotionally respond to the distress of dogs they know.
Dogs Trying to Comfort Their Friends
When the distressed housemate entered the room after the recordings, many dogs displayed behaviors that appeared to offer comfort and reassurance.
Observed behaviors included:
• Staying close to the distressed dog
• Licking their face
• Wagging their tail
• Rubbing their body against the other dog
• Greeting behaviors
• Attempting to initiate play
These behaviors were most common when the earlier distress sounds had come from their own housemate.
Researchers also discovered that cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, increased when dogs heard the distress sounds. The increase was especially pronounced and lasted longer when the sound came from their familiar companion.
More Than Just Shared Emotion
The study suggests that dogs may experience more than simple emotional contagion. In many cases, their behavior appeared to show sympathetic concern—a deeper level of empathy where the dog not only feels the other dog’s distress but also attempts to help comfort them.
What This Means for Dog Lovers
For many dog owners, these findings simply confirm what they already observe at home. Dogs are not only intelligent but also emotionally sensitive creatures capable of forming deep social bonds.
Watching dogs comfort each other is another reminder that our canine companions experience complex emotions and relationships. Scientific research continues to reveal just how remarkable these animals truly are—and why they hold such a special place in our lives.
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