Dog owners who ruminate about work stress may pass anxiety to their pooch: study

Dog owners who ruminate about work stress may pass anxiety to their pooch: study

Research shows work stress may be affecting Fido's mental health

A stressed office worker, at left, covers her face while sitting at her laptop. At right, a black Labrador retriever looks visibly anxious. A new study found that job stress can affect dogs through emotional contagion and work-related rumination. (Getty Images)

A dog sits on a hardwood floor with a sad expression. New research finds that dogs can absorb their owners' work stress through emotional cues and changes in routine. (Getty Images)

A woman pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration while working from home. A 2025 study published in Scientific Reports links job stress and rumination to signs of stress in pet dogs. (Getty Images)