Your Dog Knows When You’re Stressed—And It Might Make Them Moody Too

Dogs have been our furry best friends for thousands of years—some scientists say it might even go back 30,000 years! Over all that time, dogs have become really good at understanding us. They notice our body language, tone of voice, and even our smells. And now, a new study shows something even more surprising: when we’re stressed, dogs can actually smell it—and it affects how they feel, too.

Let’s dig into this fascinating study and what it means for you and your pup.

Dogs Can Smell Stress—Literally

We already knew that dogs have an incredible sense of smell. That’s why they help find missing people, detect certain diseases, and even sniff out illegal substances. But did you know they can also smell emotions?

Previous studies have shown that dogs can pick up the scent of stress in human sweat. This new research, done by scientists at the University of Bristol in England, takes it a step further: it shows that dogs don’t just notice the scent of stress—they respond to it emotionally.

In other words, if you’re having a rough day, your dog might be feeling it, too.

How the Study Worked

For this study, researchers worked with 18 pet dogs of different breeds and their owners. They also recruited 11 human volunteers who were strangers to the dogs.

Here’s what they did:

1. Stress Phase: The volunteers were asked to do something that makes most people feel nervous—speak in public and do mental math out loud. While they were doing this, researchers collected sweat samples from their underarms using pieces of cloth.
2. Relaxation Phase: After the stressful task, the volunteers got to relax. They watched a calming nature video, sat on beanbags, and enjoyed soft lighting. Then, researchers took another round of sweat samples.
3. Dog Testing: The dogs were separated into three groups. Each group got to smell sweat samples from one of the volunteers—either from the stressful moment or the relaxed one. The researchers also had a cloth with no sweat as a neutral control.

Before testing, dogs were trained to learn that a food bowl in one spot always had a treat, while bowls in other spots didn’t. Then during the experiment, sometimes bowls were placed in new, unfamiliar locations.

The question was: how would the dogs respond to those “ambiguous” bowls after smelling stress?

What They Found

When dogs smelled the sweat from a stressed-out person, they were less likely to go check out the bowls in those new spots. But when they smelled relaxed sweat—or just a regular cloth—they were more willing to explore.

Why does this matter? Because choosing not to explore suggests the dogs expected a bad result—like the bowl being empty. That kind of behavior shows they were feeling pessimistic, which is a sign of a lower mood.

So, it looks like dogs not only smell our stress but also feel emotionally affected by it. That’s a big deal!

Why This Happens

According to Zoe Parr-Cortes, the lead author of the study and a Ph.D. student at Bristol Veterinary School, dogs have evolved to live closely with humans. We’re both social animals, and our emotions can rub off on each other. This is called “emotional contagion.”

She explains it this way: in the wild, if one pack member sensed danger and got stressed, it was helpful for the others to pick up on that and stay alert. Over time, this may have helped dogs develop the ability to sense and react to human emotions—even if the person is a stranger.

So, your dog’s reaction to your stress isn’t just about loyalty or love. It’s wired deep into their instincts.

What the Experts Say

Katherine Houpt, a behavioral medicine expert from Cornell University who wasn’t involved in the study, says the results make a lot of sense. She points out that stress affects appetite in both people and animals. So maybe the dogs didn’t feel as motivated to get food because the scent of stress made them lose interest—kind of like how you might skip dessert when you’re super anxious.

She also mentioned that this is more proof that dogs use not just what they see or hear from us—but also what they smell—to understand how we feel. That’s a powerful form of empathy.

And here’s something important: if mild stress from a stranger has this effect, what about intense stress from a beloved owner? What happens when you’re truly overwhelmed—like losing a job, facing a health crisis, or going through a breakup?

We still don’t have all the answers, but it’s likely your dog picks up on even those deep emotional waves.

What This Means for You and Your Dog

So, what can you take away from all this?

First, it’s clear your emotions matter—not just to you, but to your dog as well. When you’re stressed, your dog may become more anxious, less playful, or act differently. They might seem a little down, avoid certain things, or even skip a meal.

Second, dogs may not just react—they may be mirroring your mood. This emotional connection is one of the reasons we feel so close to them. But it’s also why taking care of your own mental health is important for your dog’s well-being too.

Simple things like spending calm, quality time together, playing in the yard, going for a relaxing walk, or even just snuggling on the couch can help both of you feel better. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it might be worth doing a little breathing exercise or listening to some calming music—with your pup nearby.

Remember: your energy affects their energy.

Final Thoughts

This study gives us a deeper look into the emotional bond we share with our dogs. They don’t just respond to our voices or body language—they smell our feelings and reflect them back to us. That’s an incredible level of empathy, and it’s just one more reason why dogs truly are our best friends.

If you’re ever having a hard day, just remember—your dog might feel it, too. But the good news? Your calm can also help calm them. So, be kind to yourself—for both your sake and theirs.