Do Pets Trust Us?

Friendships between humans and their four-legged companions—particularly the ever-loyal dog and the mysteriously aloof cat—have fascinated animal lovers and scientists alike. Though countless studies have examined our pets’ behaviors, an important question remains unanswered: Do our animal companions truly trust us, or are they just really good at tolerating our weird human habits in hopes of treats? Let’s look at some of the research on cats and dogs.

Dogs: Creatures of Never-Ending, Tail-Wagging Devotion?

Are dogs authentically loyal? Or are they just good at making us think so? Studies suggest the latter is possible. Dogs are pros at reading human social cues, watching our gestures, facial expressions, and moods to determine their next move. In one study by Mendes et al. (2024), dogs were given the option to cooperate with a human partner for higher rewards or act independently for lesser rewards. The researchers observed that dogs in their study were more likely to coordinate with their partners when it led to better rewards, suggesting that the animals preferred to team up with humans in cooperative tasks if it helped them achieve their own goals.

Interestingly, Heberlein, Manser, and Turner (2017) found that dogs will also mislead people if it benefits them. In their experiment, dogs were trained to distinguish between a “cooperative” partner (one who would give them a treat) and a “competitive” partner (one who would withhold a treat). Then, the dogs were given the option of leading the competitive partner to one of three boxes: one holding a favored treat, one with a non-preferred treat, or one that was empty. Many dogs led the competitive partner to the empty box, presumably reserving the desired treat for later when they were with the cooperative partner. Does this mean canines experience something similar to what we call mistrust? Seems plausible.

But trust isn’t just behavioral—it’s chemical, too. It’s important to remember that interactions between humans and dogs can boost oxytocin levels in both species. (Oxytocin is that hormone responsible for those warm fuzzy feelings, often called “the trust hormone,” that you get while bonding.) So, it seems, if you want to increase trust, it’s a good idea to have frequent interactions with your dog, play cooperative games, minimize the amount of time they are left home alone, and refrain from stealing their treats.

Cats: Trust, But on Their Terms

Cats, on the other hand—or perhaps other paw is a better descriptor—often take a cooler approach than their canine roommates in showing affection. If you’ve ever lived with a cat, you know that trust isn’t always given freely. Instead, it’s earned, often over months (or years) of patient bribery with yummy snacks and well-placed scratches.

What about the science? A review by Lauren R. Finka (2022) observed that early positive interactions with humans can shape a cat’s level of sociability. So, a well-socialized kitten is more likely to become a friendly, people-loving cat. Makes sense. But is sociability the same as trust? Maybe. Maybe not.

Most cat lovers know that their companions need space, the opportunity for privacy, and autonomy in choosing when and how to interact. One recent study also suggests that our eyes can impact our cat’s behavior. Koyasu and Nagasawa (2019) found that cats can detect human gaze and alter their actions based on what they see you looking at. So, if you don’t want them eating that food you left on the counter, don’t gaze at it and think them untrustworthy if they pop up to eat it.

How and when we look at a cat matters, too. Mouzon and Leboucher (2023) observed that when it comes to cat communication, cats display a preference for people who use more than just speech to communicate with them. Try slowly blinking at your feline friend, and if your cat stares at you and lazily blinks back, that might suggest cat-speak for “I trust you.” (But avoid staring at them! Staring into a cat’s eyes can be interpreted as a challenge from competitors for resources.)

The Verdict?

Scientists tend to avoid the word “trust” in animal behavior research because it carries subjective, human-centered connotations and lacks precise scientific measurement. It’s hard to measure objectively; trust is a slippery concept even between humans. In animal behavior studies, you are more likely to hear terms like attachment, bonding, social reliance, conditioned response, and so on. But that doesn’t mean trust doesn’t exist in other species.

Regardless of the terminology we use, compassionate (and ethical) actions that encourage us to build trust with animals are a win-win. It’s important to note that while cats and dogs can probably develop trust toward humans, their distinct evolutionary histories and social structures influence the expression and development of this trust. Understanding these differences is crucial, especially in multi-species households.

Here are a few thought-starters for activities that provide us opportunities to increase positive interactions with our animal companions in hopes of being seen as trustworthy.

For dogs:

• Engage in joint activities like fetch or agility games.
• Learn enlightened training tips.
• Soothe fearful and anxious dogs with these tips from canine behavior expert Zazie Todd or by reading Dogs Demystified: A Handbook for All Things Canine by Marc Bekoff, Ph.D.
• Get tips on how to meditate with your dog.
• Help stray dogs by engaging in canine street advocacy.
• Understand how aging impacts your canine companion.

For cats:

• Discover how to care for your cat based on their personality type.
• Understand how aging impacts your feline companion.
• Calm your anxious kitty with a playlist for nervous cats.
• Learn reiki for stressed-out cats.

Above all, respect your animal companion’s need for space, be patient, and offer quiet companionship that privileges their preferences and needs.

For more ideas on practicing compassion towards animals, read "Faux Paws: Common Sayings Animal Lovers Should Avoid."