Can Robotic Pets Reduce Loneliness in Older Adults? What the Research Shows
Small studies suggest that robotic companion pets may ease loneliness, depression and anxiety for some older adults. The evidence is encouraging, but still developing — and these pets work best as a supplement to human connection, not a replacement for it.
July 2026 · 6 min read · Interactive Companion Digest
By the Interactive Pet Marketplace Editorial Team
What to know
- Some small studies report reductions in loneliness, depression and anxiety after older adults receive robotic companion pets.
- Recent research is promising, but many studies have been short and involved relatively few participants.
- Reactions vary. Some people form an immediate connection, while others find robotic pets uninteresting or uncomfortable.
- Robotic pets should complement — not replace — contact with family, friends, caregivers and community programs.
Loneliness remains common among older adults. In 2024, 33% of U.S. adults ages 50–80 reported feeling lonely at least some of the time during the previous year, according to the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. Rates were substantially higher among people who rated their physical or mental health as fair or poor.
For someone who lives alone, has limited mobility or can no longer care for a live animal, a small robotic cat or dog may provide something familiar to hold, talk to and include in a daily routine.
But how much can a battery-powered companion really help? The most accurate answer is: possibly quite a bit for some people — but the research does not yet show that robotic pets work for everyone.
What did the 2024 robotic-pet study find?
A 2024 study examined the effects of robotic companion pets on community-dwelling women age 65 and older. Researchers screened 120 women through a local Office for Aging and selected 45 who had symptoms of depression. Each participant received a robotic cat or dog during a home visit and was evaluated again approximately one month later.
After receiving the pet, participants reported statistically significant reductions in:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
Participants also reported an improvement in how they rated their physical health.
2024 study at a glance
- Participants
- 45 community-dwelling women age 65 and older
- Duration
- Approximately one month
- Intervention
- A robotic cat or dog
- Reported results
- Lower depression, anxiety and loneliness scores
- Important limitation
- Small study without a separately reported control group
The findings are encouraging, but they should be considered preliminary. The published report was a conference abstract describing a time-series study, not a large clinical trial. Because the abstract did not report a separate control group, it cannot establish that the robotic pet alone caused the improvements.
The evidence is promising — not conclusive.
What does the broader research show?
The 2024 findings are not isolated.
A 2022 study followed older adults with mild to moderate dementia who lived in residential care. Participants interacted with a robotic companion dog or cat, and researchers measured depression and loneliness before the intervention and again after three and six weeks. Both depression and loneliness improved during the study.
A 2024 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in long-term-care facilities also found that physically embodied social robots had significant positive effects on depression and loneliness.
A broader 2025 meta-analysis combined 42 effect sizes from 19 studies and found an overall reduction in loneliness among older adults using social robots. However, that research included several types of social robots — not only pet-like cats and dogs — and the settings and interventions differed considerably.
Earlier systematic reviews reached a more cautious conclusion. A review of 19 robotic-pet studies found many positive reports from residents, families and care staff, along with a measurable reduction in agitation involving the therapeutic PARO robot. The reviewers also noted that some studies were too small to detect reliable differences and that researchers did not always measure the outcomes most important to residents.
Taken together, the research suggests that robotic pets can help some older adults, particularly in residential and dementia-care environments. It does not prove that every robotic pet will produce the same result.
Why might robotic pets help?
Researchers are still studying the exact reasons, but several explanations appear repeatedly.
Comforting touch and sensory stimulation
Many robotic pets have soft fur, gentle movement, purring, barking or other familiar responses. These features may provide soothing sensory stimulation and encourage the person to touch, hold or talk to the pet.
Studies involving PARO, a therapeutic robotic seal, have reported reductions in stress and anxiety among some people with dementia. However, results involving a specialized therapeutic robot should not automatically be applied to every consumer robotic cat or dog.
Routine and engagement
A robotic pet can become part of a person’s day. Someone may greet it in the morning, place it beside them while watching television or show it to a visiting family member.
The pet does not require feeding, walking or veterinary care, but interacting with it can still provide a comforting activity and a focus for attention.
A reason to connect with other people
Robotic pets can act as social catalysts. Residents may show the pet to staff members or visitors, tell stories about animals they previously owned or interact with other residents who are curious about it.
Qualitative research has described increased engagement, interaction and positive conversation around robotic pets, even when changes were more difficult to capture through standardized questionnaires.
Who may be most likely to enjoy one?
A robotic companion pet may be worth considering for an older adult who:
- Previously enjoyed living with cats or dogs
- Wants the comfort of a pet but cannot manage feeding, walking or cleanup
- Lives alone or spends long periods without company
- Enjoys soft, familiar sensory objects
- Has mild cognitive impairment or dementia and responds positively to animals
- Becomes anxious, restless or disengaged during quiet parts of the day
The person’s reaction matters more than the product’s technology. A simpler pet with soft fur and predictable responses may be more comforting than an advanced robot with apps, cameras or complicated controls.
The caveats
Robotic pets are not a replacement for people
A robotic pet cannot provide the depth of support offered by family, friends, caregivers, clinicians or community relationships. It should be one part of a broader plan for companionship and well-being.
A person experiencing persistent loneliness, depression or major behavioral changes should receive appropriate attention from a qualified healthcare professional.
Not everyone will respond positively
Some people immediately name, hold and talk to a robotic pet. Others recognize it as a toy and have little interest in it. A few may find its movement, sounds or realism unsettling.
A negative response does not mean the person has failed to understand the product. It simply means that the pet is not a good emotional or sensory match.
The studies have important limitations
Many studies have included small groups, lasted only a few weeks or took place in residential-care facilities. Different researchers have also studied very different products, ranging from consumer robotic cats and dogs to advanced therapeutic or conversational robots.
More long-term research is needed to determine:
- How long the benefits last
- Which product features matter most
- Who is most likely to respond
- Whether robotic pets are more effective than ordinary plush animals
- How well results from care facilities apply to people living independently
Systematic reviews continue to describe the evidence as encouraging but methodologically uneven.
How to introduce a robotic pet
Introduce the pet as an invitation, not a test.
- Choose an animal that is familiar to the person.
- Place it nearby and allow the person to approach it at their own pace.
- Demonstrate one or two simple responses without explaining every feature.
- Do not insist that the pet is alive or challenge the person’s interpretation of it.
- Watch for signs of comfort, curiosity, irritation or distress.
- Remove or silence the pet if its movement or sounds become upsetting.
The goal is not to convince someone to accept the technology. The goal is to discover whether the experience feels warm, reassuring and enjoyable to that individual.
Bottom line
The evidence is promising, but not conclusive. Robotic companion pets may reduce loneliness, depression, anxiety and agitation for some older adults — especially people who enjoy animals but can no longer care for a live pet.
They are not a cure and should never be treated as a substitute for human relationships, professional care or meaningful social contact. But as one part of a broader support strategy, a robotic pet can provide comfort, engagement and something familiar to hold.
Related product evaluation
Our top pick for emotional comfort: Percy Robot Cat
Among the pets evaluated by Interactive Pet Marketplace, Percy scored highest for emotional-comfort potential, tactile quality and simplicity of use. It requires no app, complicated setup or subscription, making it a strong option for someone who wants a straightforward companion pet.
Chongker
Percy Robot Cat
★★★★★5.0 (16 reviews)
Highest emotional comfort score in our testing. Responds to touch, purrs realistically, requires zero setup.
$89.00
Price checked 2026-05-08 · Rating checked 2026-05-11
Important:This recommendation is based on Interactive Pet Marketplace’s independent product-evaluation criteria. Percy was not evaluated in the clinical studies discussed in this article, and this recommendation should not be interpreted as a medical or research finding.
Affiliate disclosure: Interactive Pet Marketplace may earn a commission from qualifying purchases without increasing the price paid by the customer.
Frequently asked questions
Do robotic pets really help with loneliness?
Some small studies and meta-analyses suggest that robotic pets and other social robots may reduce loneliness in certain older adults. Results vary, and more large, long-term studies are needed.
Are robotic pets helpful for people with dementia?
They may be. Studies involving people with dementia have reported improvements in depression, loneliness, stress, anxiety, agitation and engagement. Not everyone responds positively, so the pet should be introduced gradually and monitored.
Can a robotic pet replace human companionship?
No. A robotic pet should supplement contact with family, friends, caregivers and community programs — not replace it.
Is a robotic pet better than an ordinary stuffed animal?
The answer is not yet clear. Movement, sound and touch responsiveness may increase engagement, but at least one PARO study found that the robot was more effective than a plush toy primarily in encouraging engagement, not across every measured outcome.
See our related rankings
- Best Pets for Seniors Living Alone
- Best Pets for Seniors in Memory Care Facilities
- Best Pets for Loneliness
Sources
- University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, Loneliness and Social Isolation Among U.S. Older Adults, 2018–2024.
- Kang, Kim and Kuhl, The Impact of Companion Robotic Pets on Well-Being Among Community-Dwelling Women Aged 65 and Older.
- Fogelson, Rutledge and Zimbro, The Impact of Robotic Companion Pets on Depression and Loneliness for Older Adults With Dementia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Yen and colleagues, The Effect of Social Robots on Depression and Loneliness for Older Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities.
- Abbott and colleagues, How Do “Robopets” Impact the Health and Well-Being of Residents in Care Homes?
- Mehrabi and Ghezelbash, Wired for Companionship: A Meta-Analysis on Social Robots Filling the Void of Loneliness in Later Life.
- Petersen and colleagues, The Utilization of Robotic Pets in Dementia Care.
- Moyle and colleagues, Use of a Robotic Seal as a Therapeutic Tool to Improve Dementia Symptoms.