Why teens who kiss their dogs are happier, according to science

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https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/why-teens-who-kiss-their-dogs-are-happier-according-to-science-20251204-p5nkqe.html

https://archive.md/I4cRp

Teenagers who kiss their dog or are occasionally licked by their pet are happier, a study has found.
Adolescents who grow up in a home with a pet dog have previously been found to have better mental health than those who do not.

Now, research has found that teenagers in homes with a dog have a specific gut bacteria constitution, known as the microbiome, which boosts mental wellbeing.

Gut bacteria samples from 345 teenagers were analysed and the participants also underwent psychological assessment. Some 96 owned dogs while 247 did not. Two did not have enough data. Tests showed children with dogs had healthier scores and their microbiome was rich in certain bacteria.

When the dog-influenced bacteria were injected into mice in a lab, the rodents became more social and engaged more with other mice. This increase in social interaction would lead to better relationships with friends and family, the scientists said.