Effects of interaction with a virtual pet on mental health and salivary oxytocin levels

Companion animals improve human mental health by promoting oxytocin (OXT) release and inducing a calming effect. However, the practical and financial burdens of pet ownership can be substantial, making virtual pets a potentially attractive alternative. In this study, we investigated the effects of a 20-minute virtual pet interaction on salivary OXT levels and mental health in 90 university students. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: active interaction with a virtual pet (walking, petting and brushing, ball throwing), passive observation of virtual pet interaction, or a puzzle-game control condition. We found a significant reduction in negative mood in both the active and passive virtual pet conditions, but not in the control group. However, salivary OXT levels did not significantly differ across conditions. These findings suggest that even passive exposure to virtual pets can reduce negative mood, although such interactions do not appear to influence OXT secretion.