Researchers in Japan have discovered that the effects of oxytocin to dogs are quite similar to humans. 

In a recent study published in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists noted that after being sprayed with oxytocin, "the canines were more likely to sniff, lick, and paw at their people than were those given the saline solution". 

The dogs were notably more affectionate to not only their owners but to other dogs around them. The study supports the idea that oxytocin has a larger role and isn't only for reproductive interests and purposes. It is also critical in social relationships, even to unidentified individuals or other species.

The study looked at 16 adult dogs of varying breeds with some being sprayed with oxytocin formulation while others were sprayed with a saline solution, serving as placebo. Researchers wants to know if the process would affect the animals' behavior with their owners.

For further analysis, the team of scientists also measured the blood and urine levels of oxytocin both prior and post-oxytocin receipt.

What is oxytocin?

The Australian writes that oxytocin is widely referred to as the "love hormone", "cuddle chemical" and other names. It's been at the center the study of the biology of love. The hormone is released during inter course and is especially high for newer couples.

"Studies in humans have already shown that oxytocin affects our tendency to affiliate or cooperate with other people," co-author Miho Nagasawa of the University of Tokyo's Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences told Discovery.com.

Nagasawa adds that they believe the reaction oxytocin surfaces would be the same not only for dogs and cats but for any mammal species.

"We found that after receiving the oxytocin spray, dogs displayed more affiliative behaviors and paid more attention to their owners than during the controls," Lead author Teresa Romero told Discovery News.

The researchers believe that the data from the study provides new insights and learnings as to the mechanisms that lead to social bonding beyond the immediate reproductive interest.

The findings could be the key to explaining the bond that began with the domestication of wolves some 33,000 years ago, reports the Australian. The key is the "positive feedback loop" that enabled humans to form an attachment with people and vice versa.

"Our findings suggest that oxytocin might be an important mechanism that allowed the evolution of enduring cooperative bonds between related and unrelated individuals," claims the report.