Addictive-like behavioural traits in pet dogs with extreme motivation for toy play.

ABSTRACT: Behavioural addictions, characterised by compulsive engagement in rewarding activities despite adverse consequences in the long term, are more heterogeneous and less well-understood than substance addictions, and there is a relative lack of translational research. This study investigates "excessive toy motivation" in domestic dogs as a potential parallel to behavioural addictions in humans. Employing a combination of a behavioural test and an owner questionnaire, we examined whether a subset of highly play-motived dogs meet key behavioural addiction criteria, including craving, salience, lack of self-control, and mood modification. Data from 105 highly play-motivated dogs revealed that 33 subjects exhibited behaviours consistent with addictive-like tendencies, including an excessive fixati

SUBMITTER: Mazzini A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12511593 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature