People have long turned to pets for a source of unconditional love and companionship. Now a small but growing body of research suggests that robotic pets might help fill those needs for some older adults—without the expense of food, toys and supplies, pet sitting, or veterinary care. There’s also no clean-up needed, and they never bite.
Numerous studies over the years have found that older adults with pets tend to be more physically active and report less loneliness and depression than their peers who lack animal companions. That research doesn’t prove that pets make people happier and more energetic—but it suggests that could be the case, at least for some. Even if that’s true, though, there’s a practical issue: Not everyone who likes animals has the ability and resources to care for one, and many people are allergic to real furry pets.
Enter robotic pets, which some companies have been marketing specifically for older adults (especially those who have dementia or are socially isolated). While the term robotic pet might not conjure up images of cuddling with a fluffy friend, today’s animatronic technology has actually created battery-operated versions of Fido and Fluffy that not only look somewhat close to the real thing but also respond to a person’s touch and voice with purrs, tail wags, a turn of the head, and other pet-like behavior.
If that sounds more creepy than cute, that’s understandable. Based on studies, some people just aren’t into robotic pets, and the furry critters do have potential downsides; some experts worry about infantilizing older adults or even deceiving those who have dementia and might believe the pet is real. Still, for many people, robotic pets may offer a comforting presence.
In fact, they are already being incorporated into healthcare settings and social programs: During the height of the Covid pandemic, for example, some Veterans Administration care facilities began offering them to residents with dementia, memory loss, or depression. Meanwhile, some state agencies have been distributing free robotic pets to older residents, as one way to help combat loneliness and isolation.
A pet for people with dementia
Most studies looking at the pros and cons of robotic pets have focused on older adults with dementia, including those living in care facilities. Many nursing homes have long offered “pet therapy” programs, where trained animals are brought in to spend time with residents. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, those kinds of programs were put on hold. One study, published in 2022 in the Journal of Holistic Nursing, looked at whether robotic pets could help fill the void: The study was small—involving just 18 residents with dementia at one care facility—but it found that robotic dogs and cats generally eased residents’ feelings of depression and loneliness over the six-week research period. For some, the companion reminded them of a pet they had growing up.
Another study, published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias in 2023, focused on veterans who had dementia but were still living at home. Again, the study was quite small (a universal theme in this research niche), but it had some encouraging results. Of the 20 veterans involved, 80 percent interacted with their robotic pet every day during the three-month research period. And based on interviews with family caregivers, that connection often helped with symptoms like anxiety, agitation, and sleep problems. However, several veterans in the study just weren’t interested; one caregiver said, “He had a real dog that he loved so much. He knows this one isn’t real, so he just kind of laughs at it, but doesn’t use it.”
Robotic pets also have potential pitfalls for people with dementia, as discussed in this 2021 research review. In studies, those lifelike purrs, barks, and movements ended up agitating some participants. In some other cases, participants misperceived the robotic animals as real or showed an emotional attachment to them that, researchers said, could go wrong if the pet were ever lost or damaged.
It’s also important to note that studies have generally lacked comparison groups of people who did not receive a robotic pet. That makes it impossible to know whether the furry companions, per se, really did improve some people’s symptoms.
Emotional support if you feel isolated
Since we know that real pets can help buffer against loneliness and depression, some researchers have asked whether robotic versions might do the same. One study, reported last year at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, included 45 women ages 65 and older in Korea. All had depression symptoms and were given a robotic dog or cat to have at home. After one month, study participants were showing overall improvements in depression, loneliness, and anxiety symptoms.
Again, the study lacked a comparison group, and it’s possible that at least some participants’ symptoms would have improved anyway, with time. Another big caveat: The findings have to be considered preliminary, since the full results have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
However, some similar research has been published. A 2020 study in the Journals of Gerontology: Series B involved 20 older adults who had taken part in a robotic pet program through their health insurer. In interviews, researchers found that the animatronic pups and kitties were a hit with some participants, but a miss with others. Although all of the participants had reported some issues with loneliness before starting the program, only some felt their robotic pet helped them manage it. People who lived alone and were socially isolated were more likely to benefit: They tended to pet, cuddle, and talk to their pet regularly, and say the interaction was calming and comforting to them. In contrast, the pets typically did little for study participants who got out of the house more often and had relatively more social connections in their lives. For them, the furry robots simply weren’t that engaging.
Barking up the right tree?
Clearly, individuals vary in whether they warm to a robotic pet. If you think you might be in the market for one (for yourself or a family member), here are some things to consider:
- Several companies make robotic pets, but many of the studies discussed above used the Joy for All line of products manufactured by Ageless Innovations. That doesn’t necessarily mean those are best for you, but they appear to be the best studied.
- Robotic pets range in price, depending on the level of realism you want. Perfect Petzzz makes lower-priced pooches and kitties that simply “breathe” ($42), whereas some fancier, more interactive pets cost more—anywhere from $100 to $190 for brands like Joy for All and MetaCat. Tombot Puppies are especially realistic and adorable—and especially expensive; the company has sold out pre-orders of its first “litter,” but you can sign up to be on the waitlist and can watch a video of “Jennie” wagging her tail when petted and barking in reaction to a command.
- If you’re wondering whether a robotic pet might benefit a loved one, it’s important to consider the person’s likes and dislikes, their history with pets, and more. Someone who never had a real cat or dog—or who had a bad experience with those animals—might not appreciate a battery-operated one. If the person has dementia, there are additional questions such as, Will the sounds from a robotic pet be disturbing? Are they at a stage of dementia where the new “pet” might cause confusion or anxiety? (If you have those types of concerns, you might still consider a simple robotic pet, without all the bells and whistles.)
BOTTOM LINE: No one, of course, is suggesting that robotic pets are a replacement for human connection. But for some people, the furry companions may offer a type of uncomplicated interaction that’s soothing and uplifting at times. As one caregiver in the veterans study put it, “He uses [his robotic pet] every night. It makes him laugh and smile every time.”
