Most dogs love a good toy, but for some, playtime might cross the line into something more serious.
A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that certain dogs show behaviors toward toys that resemble human behavioral addictions, such as gambling or excessive gaming.
In humans, behavioral addictions are marked by compulsive involvement in an activity even when it causes problems.
While dog owners have long reported stories of their pets obsessing over toys—such as whining when a favorite ball is out of reach or playing until they injure themselves—this is the first scientific study to explore the idea.
Researchers Stefanie Riemer and Alja Mazzini, along with colleagues, drew on existing research into human behavioral addictions.
They looked for similar patterns in dogs, such as craving, fixating, and difficulty stopping play.
The study examined 105 dogs—56 males and 49 females—whose owners described them as especially motivated by toys.
Each dog was allowed to choose a preferred toy, and their behavior was observed. Owners were also asked to report on how their dogs behaved around toys in everyday life.
The dogs varied in age from one year to ten years old. Some breeds were more common in the study, including 18 Malinois, 9 border collies, and 9 Labrador retrievers.
Out of the entire group, 33 dogs displayed behaviors that the researchers described as addiction-like.
These dogs were excessively focused on their toy, often ignoring alternatives such as food or playing with their owner. They made persistent attempts to access their toy if it was taken away, sometimes continuing for long periods.
When all toys were removed, they struggled to settle down, with many remaining restless for at least 15 minutes.
The study also found that when toys were inaccessible, these dogs spent more time fixating on them than interacting with food or people.
In some cases, the toy became so important that it overshadowed other rewarding experiences, which is similar to how behavioral addictions affect humans.
The researchers stress that this doesn’t mean playing with toys is bad for dogs. Play is a crucial part of canine health and wellbeing.
However, the findings raise questions about whether some dogs can develop unhealthy patterns of play that could affect their welfare. Just like with people, too much of a good thing may not always be harmless.
The next step will be to understand why some dogs develop these intense fixations while others do not.
It could be linked to breed, personality, or even the way owners encourage play. For now, the study highlights that our furry companions may not be so different from us—sometimes, they too can get hooked on the thrill of the game.
