The Psychological Impact of Pets on Seniors

People usually start searching this when something practical shifts: retirement has gone quiet, a partner has died, driving has stopped, or a move into supported living is on the horizon. A pet can change the texture of a day, but it can also bring real obligations—cost, care, safety, and what happens if health declines.

Below is a clear look at what the evidence says about pets and older people’s wellbeing, where the benefits are strongest, where claims are often overstated, and the simple checks that help match the right animal to the right home.^{1, 2}

Why loneliness and routine matter in later life

Ageing doesn’t automatically mean loneliness, but life can narrow in small, ordinary ways: reduced mobility, hearing loss, bereavement, giving up driving, or living far from family. Over time, those changes can thin out regular contact with other people.^{3, 4}

Australian data show loneliness and social isolation are experienced across age groups, including older adults, and they are linked with poorer health and wellbeing outcomes. The details vary by person, but the pattern is familiar: fewer shared routines, fewer casual conversations, and fewer reasons to leave the house.^{1, 3}

Pets as companionship: what they reliably provide

A pet doesn’t replace human relationships, but it can add a steady presence to a home. For many older people, that presence is simplest at the edges of the day—being greeted, sharing a quiet room, following the small rituals of feeding and care.

Pets can also act as social “bridges”. A dog walk, a chat at the vet, a neighbour stopping to pat the animal—small interactions that build a sense of being known in a place.⁴

Psychological benefits: calmer stress responses and less loneliness (with limits)

Research on the human–animal bond suggests pets may help reduce feelings of loneliness and support emotional wellbeing for some people, particularly when the owner enjoys the daily contact and can comfortably meet the animal’s needs.²

Claims that pets “treat depression” or “prevent dementia” are too strong. The evidence is mixed and often observational, meaning it can’t prove the pet caused the improvement. What does come through more consistently is gentler: pets may support mood, reduce perceived stress in some settings, and add structure that makes a day feel less empty.^{2, 5}

Physical health: movement, heart health, and what the studies can (and can’t) prove

When a pet nudges an older person into regular movement—short walks, more time outdoors, light play—it can help maintain strength and routine. That effect is most obvious with dogs, because their care often includes daily walking.

Large reviews have found associations between dog ownership and lower risk of death, including cardiovascular mortality. These studies are not perfect (owners may differ in important ways from non-owners), but the signal is strong enough to take seriously—especially as a possible marker of a more active, connected lifestyle.⁵

Broader meta-analyses looking at pet ownership and cardiovascular outcomes show similar associations, though results vary depending on how carefully studies adjust for confounders and what outcomes are measured.⁶

Purpose and routine: the quiet engine of day-to-day wellbeing

Older people often describe the best part of pet ownership in practical terms: someone to feed, a reason to get up, a reason to go outside, a small life that depends on steady care. That structure can be protective when days become interchangeable, especially after a major change like bereavement or retirement.

Routine also makes it easier to notice change—both in the person and in the animal. When the pattern is familiar, small warning signs stand out sooner.

Assisted living and nursing homes: animal-assisted therapy is not the same as “having a pet”

In residential care, “pet therapy” usually means supervised visits or structured sessions with trained animals, rather than a resident being responsible for day-to-day care.

Evidence summaries in dementia care suggest animal-assisted therapy can improve mood, engagement, and interaction for some people living with dementia, with mixed or inconclusive results for agitation, quality of life, and other outcomes.^{7, 8}

This matters because it sets realistic expectations: short, supported contact may offer benefits without adding the burden of ownership.

Challenges and considerations before an older person gets a pet

The main risks are predictable, and worth facing early: falls, bites or scratches, infection risk in vulnerable people, cost, and what happens if the owner becomes unwell.

Quick suitability check

• Daily care: Can feeding, fresh water, toileting/litter, and basic grooming be done comfortably every day?
• Mobility and balance: Would a pulling dog increase fall risk? Would a cat weaving around legs be hazardous at night?
• Support back-up: Who can step in during hospital stays, acute illness, or a heatwave?
• Housing rules: Is the animal permitted (including size/breed limits) and are there safe outdoor areas?
• Budget: Food, preventive health care, and unexpected vet bills.

Infection risk (zoonoses): simple precautions that matter more with age

Adults aged 65+ can be more likely to become seriously ill from infections that animals can carry. This does not mean older people must avoid pets, but it does mean choosing sensible species and habits.⁹

• Be cautious with higher-risk pets such as reptiles, amphibians, backyard poultry, and rodents.⁹
• Wash hands after handling animals, their food, and cleaning tasks (especially litter trays).
• Keep pets healthy with regular veterinary care and parasite control.

Choosing a good match (often simpler than “dog versus cat”)

Temperament and care needs matter more than species. A calm, well-socialised animal with predictable habits is usually a safer fit than a young, high-energy pet.

For some older people, adopting an older pet can be a gentle option: the animal’s size, energy level, and personality are already known. Older pets may also come with age-related health needs, so it’s worth discussing likely care costs with a vet or shelter before committing.¹⁰

Conclusion

Pets can support older people’s wellbeing in practical, everyday ways: a steady presence, a reason to move, a rhythm to the day, and small social connections that form around care. The benefits are real, but they are not automatic, and they depend on a good match—between the animal’s needs and the person’s health, housing, support, and budget.

When ownership isn’t realistic, supervised animal-assisted therapy can still offer moments of engagement and improved mood, particularly in dementia care, without adding the weight of responsibility.^{7, 8}

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) — Social isolation and loneliness
2. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — The human–animal bond
3. My Aged Care — Living with loneliness and social isolation
4. Australian Institute of Family Studies — Factors, dynamics and effects of isolation for older people
5. Circulation (2019) — Dog ownership and survival: systematic review and meta-analysis (PubMed)
6. Systematic review/meta-analysis (2019) — Pet ownership and cardiovascular risks and mortality (PubMed)
7. ARIIA — Pet therapy evidence theme (dementia care)
8. Meta-analysis of RCTs (2022) — Effects of animal-assisted therapy on patients with dementia (PubMed)
9. CDC — People at increased risk for illness from animals (Healthy Pets, Healthy People)
10. RSPCA Pet Insurance Australia — Benefits and considerations when adopting an older dog or cat