Researchers Discover That Dogs May Use Blinking to Convey Messages

For years, dogs have been recognized for communicating through gestures like tail wagging, ear positioning, and facial cues. Recent findings suggest that even a seemingly minor action like blinking might carry communicative significance.

A team led by evolutionary biologist Chiara Canori from the University of Parma revealed that blinking might function as a social cue among dogs, and potentially between dogs and humans as well.

Examining Blinking in Dogs

To investigate this, scientists designed an experiment involving 54 pet dogs. Each accompanied by their owner, the dogs viewed videos of other dogs exhibiting various facial actions, such as blinking, licking their noses, and holding an attentive expression.

Short pauses were given between video clips to help the dogs reset their focus. Meanwhile, researchers tracked their heart rates to detect any emotional arousal.

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Interestingly, the dogs maintained stable heart rates, suggesting the stimuli did not cause stress, but they exhibited increased blinking when observing other dogs blinking compared to other expressions.

Mimicking as Social Behavior

This increased blinking hints at mimicry, a behavior prevalent in social animals. In humans, for instance, yawns and blinks often ripple through groups as a form of subconscious coordination during social engagement.

Humans commonly synchronize blinks while interacting, a behavior that promotes social bonding. Researchers propose dogs may also engage in this coordinated blinking.

Earlier studies have connected blinking in dogs to signals of appeasement, suggesting a peaceful intention and desire to maintain friendly relationships.

Can Blinking Express Emotions?

The research published in Royal Society Open Science supports the idea that blinking is significant in canine communication, though its precise function remains undetermined. Since heart rate measurements showed no notable changes, blinking is unlikely a response to stress or excitement in this context.

Nonetheless, past research correlates frequent blinking with feelings of frustration in dogs, indicating that blinking may have multiple emotional meanings depending on the situation, similar to how humans blink more when tired or stressed.

This concept aligns with behavior observed in cats, which use slow blinking as a sign of affection and trust, commonly referred to as a "kitty kiss."

Could dogs have their own blinking signals? While additional research is needed, this study bolsters the notion that blinking goes beyond reflex—it may be a deliberate social gesture.

Implications for Those Who Care for Dogs

This finding opens the door to fascinating communication possibilities for dog owners: their pets might be using blinks as a way to interact. Although it’s premature to decode specific blink meanings, observing when and how dogs blink could reveal more about their feelings.

Experts suggest trying slow blinking toward your dog to see how they respond. If blinking acts as a bridge for bonding, calm, gentle blinks from owners might comfort dogs similarly as slow blinking soothes cats.