Dogs really can be addicted to their toys
Laura Baisas
created: Oct. 9, 2025, 3 p.m. | updated: Oct. 19, 2025, 3:06 p.m.
Some dogs show behaviors towards their toys that actually resemble behavioral addictions in humans, including gambling, video games, and our beloved smartphones.
They studied the dogs’ behaviors towards a toy that each of them had selected at the beginning of the test.
The team also surveyed owners about their dogs’ everyday behaviors towards these toys.
Constant cravingThey found that 33 dogs exhibited addictive-like behaviors.
The team also found that puppyhood behaviors (dogs aged 2 months to 6 months) were linked to a higher tendency for addictive-like behavior later in life.
1 month ago: Popular Science