Story perspectives

Study Links Dogs' Toy Fixation to Human Gambling Addiction

10/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the University of Bern and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna link dogs' toy fixation to human gambling addiction.
The study involved 105 dogs, and one-third showed addiction-like behaviors when toys were hidden.
These dogs ignored food rewards and their owners, fixating on retrieving their toys.
The findings indicate shared neurological mechanisms and call for further study of individual differences and links to human addiction traits.

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Story summary

Researchers from the University of Bern and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna link dogs' toy fixation to human gambling addiction.
The study involved 105 dogs, and one-third showed addiction-like behaviors when toys were hidden.
These dogs ignored food rewards and their owners, fixating on retrieving their toys.
The findings indicate shared neurological mechanisms and call for further study of individual differences and links to human addiction traits.