Dogs get addicted too, and it is not about food or drugs: New study finds bizarre obsession in pets playing fetch

That ball your dog won’t let go of might be more than just a toy. A groundbreaking study published in Scientific Reports by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and the University of Bern has revealed that some dogs show addiction-like behaviors toward their favorite playthings. Out of 105 dogs studied, 33 displayed signs eerily similar to behavioral addictions seen in humans.

The researchers used a structured “Addictive-like Behaviour Test” to evaluate whether toy play could meet criteria such as craving, loss of control, and prioritizing the toy over other rewards. Some dogs refused to eat treats or interact socially when their toy was taken away, fixating entirely on the unreachable object.

Ball Over Everything Else

The experiment involved placing each dog’s preferred toy—be it a ball, rope, or plush squirrel—out of reach. While most dogs eventually moved on, a significant number kept staring, whining, or pacing for minutes, ignoring available food. In some cases, dogs wouldn’t calm down even after 15 minutes of separation from their toy.

“Dogs that were classified as having a high tendency for addictive-like behaviour scored significantly higher on craving, salience and lack of self-control,” the authors wrote in the report.

Working Breeds Lead the Pack

Terriers, shepherds, and other breeds originally bred for work were found to be particularly prone to obsessive toy play. Experts suggest this may be due to generations of selective breeding for high drive and focus, traits valuable for working dogs but which can manifest as compulsive tendencies in pets.

The study also noted that while toy fixation doesn’t currently appear to cause the same kind of long-term harm as substance addiction in humans, the parallels are striking. Just like people who can’t step away from their phones or gaming consoles, these dogs seem to be caught in their own feedback loop of reward and craving.


Addiction Without a Drug

What makes this finding especially unusual is that, unlike other animal addiction models that rely on artificial induction, dogs appear to develop this behaviour spontaneously. “Domestic dogs are the only non-human species so far that appears to develop addictive-like behaviours without artificial induction,” the report stated.

This places dogs in a unique position for understanding the psychology and neurobiology of behavioral addictions. In humans, such addictions often involve dopamine-driven reward circuits, similar to the responses triggered by play in animals.

When Fetch Becomes a Problem

The researchers emphasize that not all “ball junkies” are truly addicted. A strong play drive is normal and healthy in many dogs. The line is crossed when the toy overrides everything else. If a dog spirals into distress when separated from a toy or ignores food, rest, or social interaction, it may be time to intervene.

Behavioral expert Stefanie Riemer, lead author of the study, told Popular Science that owners of anxious or overly toy-focused dogs should engage in cooperative play rather than constant solo toy use to prevent reinforcing the obsession.

The study not only sheds light on canine behavior but also opens a fresh window into how addiction works across species. By studying dogs’ natural tendencies, scientists may gain insights into how seemingly harmless activities in humans—like gaming or social media scrolling—can turn compulsive.

So next time your dog refuses to let go of that squeaky toy, it may not just be enthusiasm. It might be their version of a binge-watch session they can’t turn off.