Anxious Dogs May Improve Memory by Chewing Toys, Study Suggests
- It is thought that in fearful dogs, chewing may act to reduce physiological arousal.
Giving anxious dogs a chew toy may help improve their memory, a study suggests.
American researchers tested the performance of 34 Labrador retrievers on a working memory task, in which they had to remember which bucket a treat had been placed in for a short period of time.
The dogs were given a chew toy to bite for five minutes immediately before the task, and a computer program recorded the frequency of biting.
Before the experiment, trainers who had worked with the dogs for at least a month completed the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire to rate each dog on its level of “fear.”
Researchers at Auburn University in Alabama found: “In high-fear dogs, more frequent chewing when given access to a chew toy was associated with better spatial working memory, while in low-fear dogs the same was true.” contrary”.
It is thought that in fearful dogs, chewing may act to reduce physiological arousal, helping them concentrate, while in more relaxed dogs, chewing may create a distraction.
The dogs were given a chew toy to bite for five minutes immediately before the task, and a computer program recorded the frequency of biting.
It is thought that in fearful dogs, chewing may act to reduce physiological arousal, helping them concentrate.
Dr Deborah Wells, professor of animal behavior and welfare at Queen’s University Belfast, who was not involved in the study, said: “What may be happening is that fearful dogs are getting a more therapeutic effect from chewing than dogs. not afraid.” – Chewing in the first group may help reduce cortisol levels and stress.
“In less fearful animals, chewing may simply serve as a distraction, with a minor arousal-reducing effect.”
However, the study found that for long-term memory, chewing can help both anxious and non-anxious dogs.
The researchers tested this by giving the dogs a maze task on a different day than the bucket task.
“We found that dogs that chewed more intensely required fewer trials to relearn a maze when they were tested shortly afterward,” said the researchers, whose findings were published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science.
Dr Wells said: “As to why both groups show improvements in memory after more intense chewing, it is less clear.”
although the human literature points to improved sustained attention when chewing gum, as gum facilitates alertness and better cognitive performance,” Dr. Wells said.
