Anyone who has a dog knows how important it is interpret his body language. From wagging to facial expressions, each gesture has a meaning. But a recent research of the University of Parma has brought to light an aspect so far little considered: dogs use the beating of eyelashes to communicatejust like cats.
To date, it was known that dogs use look To interact with humans, so much so that their “sweet gaze” is often compared to the “cat effect with boots”. However, the beating of eyelashes could represent A further communication tool.
Scholars have observed that dogs do not burn the eyelids only as an involuntary reflection, but they do it in a targeted wayespecially in the presence of other dogs or humans. The study involved 54 domestic dogs, which were exhibited on videos in which other dogs performed different facial movements, including the beating of eyelashes and licking the nose.
It could be a mechanism that helps to strengthen social ties
The results showed that dogs tended to slam the eyelids more frequently When other specimens observed to do the same, making them offer for a phenomenon of social mimicry. This discovery suggests that the beating of eyelashes could play a key role in communication between dogs and dogs and humans. As for the contagious yawn, it could be a mechanism that It helps to strengthen social ties and to convey emotions or peaceful intentions.
The researchers also analyzed the heart rate variability Dogs during the experiment, discovering that visual signals were not perceived as stressful. This means that dogs are not only sensitive to these signals, but use them in contexts of relaxed interaction.
These new discoveries confirm that dogs have a sophisticated non -verbal language. Understanding these signals could help us strengthen our link with them, better responding to their emotions and needs. So the next time your dog looks at you and slams the eyelids, it may not be a coincidence: it is his way of talking to you in his secret language.
