Do Pets Help With Loneliness? What the Research Really Shows

Last updated: October 24, 2026

A dog waiting at the door. A cat curled up on your lap on a dark evening. For millions of people, pets are the first thing they think of when someone asks what helps them feel less alone. It makes sense: pets give you routine, touch, a reason to get outside and someone to talk to who never judges.

But do pets actually reduce loneliness, or do they just make us feel better in the moment? Researchers have studied this question carefully, and the answer is more interesting than a simple yes. Here is what the evidence shows and how to get the most connection from life with a pet.

TL;DR: Do pets help with loneliness? Sometimes. Research finds pet owners who live alone tend to be less lonely, and dog owners often benefit most, but large studies show pet ownership alone does not reliably reduce loneliness. Pets help most when they bring routine, touch and human contact into your life.

Do pets help with loneliness?

They can, especially for people who live alone, but research shows owning a pet does not automatically make people less lonely.

Pet-related loneliness relief is the reduction in feelings of disconnection that some people experience through the companionship, routine and social contact that come with caring for an animal.

According to Kretzler, Konig and Hajek in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (Jul 2022), a systematic review of 24 studies found that among adults, owning a pet was associated with lower levels of social isolation. For loneliness, though, studies before COVID-19 did not show an overall significant link. Studies carried out after the pandemic began mostly found that pet ownership could contribute to lower loneliness. Most studies found no difference between dogs, cats and other pets.

In short, the pandemic seems to have made pets matter more, perhaps because they were often the only living company people had at home.

Do pets help people who live alone?

Yes. Living arrangement seems to matter a lot, with pets linked to lower loneliness mainly among people who live by themselves.

According to Li and Wong in Scientific Reports (Oct 2025), a study of 193 adults compared the well-being of pet owners and non-owners. Pet owners experienced lower loneliness than non-owners when living alone, and that lower loneliness explained part of their higher well-being. The finding suggests pets fill a specific gap: daily companionship in an otherwise empty home.

If you live alone, our guide to feeling lonely living alone has more ideas for building company into your week.

Are dogs better than cats for loneliness?

Dog owners sometimes see bigger improvements, but much of the difference comes down to the relationship with the pet rather than the species.

According to Ogata, Weng and Messam in PLOS ONE (Apr 2023), a longitudinal survey of 4,237 people during the pandemic found that dog owners consistently showed larger decreases in stress and loneliness than cat owners and non-owners. But after adjusting for other factors, pet ownership did not reduce stress or social loneliness from missing friends or colleagues, or emotional loneliness linked to family. Pet owners did report lower emotional loneliness linked to a lack of romantic relationships.

Why might pets help with loneliness?

Pets bring routine, physical affection, a sense of being needed and natural chances to talk to other people.

The main ways pets support connection:

1. Routine. Feeding, walks and play give the day a shape.
2. Touch. Stroking a pet is one of the few kinds of physical affection many single people get.
3. Purpose. Being responsible for another living being can make you feel needed.
4. Conversation starters. Dog walkers chat in parks, and pet owners swap tips online and in person.
5. Presence. A home with an animal in it simply feels less empty.

It helps to understand the difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Our guide to social isolation vs loneliness explains why a pet can reduce isolation while some loneliness remains.

Can a pet replace human connection?

No. Research suggests pets help with some kinds of loneliness but not the loneliness that comes from missing friends or family.

The 2025 Scientific Reports study found that when people relied on their pet as a substitute for people, a form of attachment the researchers called interpersonal substitution, the link to well-being turned negative, with loneliness fully explaining that effect. The authors recommended balancing pet companionship with human social interaction.

Interpersonal substitution is a style of pet attachment in which the animal is used as a stand-in for human relationships, rather than alongside them.

The healthiest picture is a pet as part of a connected life, not the whole of it.

How can you use a pet to feel less lonely?

Turn pet care into chances for human contact: join walking groups, visit dog parks, volunteer with animals and connect with other owners.

Practical ideas:

• Walk at the same time every day. You will start seeing the same faces and stopping to chat.
• Join a group. Dog walking clubs, training classes and breed meetups are built-in social circles.
• Try pet-friendly places. Cafes, pubs and parks that welcome pets make conversation easy.
• Volunteer. Animal shelters often need dog walkers and cat socialisers, a great option if you cannot own a pet.
• Pet-sit for neighbours. It builds trust and friendship on your street.
• Share online. Local pet groups often lead to real-world meetups.

Weekends can feel especially long when you live alone. Our guide to feeling lonely on weekends pairs well with pet-centred plans like Saturday morning dog walks.

Should you get a pet if you are lonely?

Only if you can meet its needs for years to come, because a pet is a long-term commitment of time, money and energy.

Before getting a pet, think about your home, budget, working hours and health. A dog needs walks several times a day, many cats live well into their teens, and vet bills add up. If you are not ready, fostering, volunteering at a shelter or borrowing a neighbour's dog are lovely ways to enjoy animal company without the full commitment.

What else can help if you cannot have a pet?

Regular human contact, shared activities and other forms of companionship can all fill some of the same gaps.

Not everyone can have a pet because of allergies, rental rules, travel or money. Alternatives include volunteering, joining clubs, scheduling regular calls with friends and building small daily rituals. Some people also enjoy an AI companion for friendly conversation that remembers their day. Our honest look at whether an AI companion can help with loneliness covers what that can and cannot do.

FAQ

Do pets really reduce loneliness?

Research is mixed. A 2022 systematic review of 24 studies found pet ownership was linked to lower social isolation in adults, but loneliness results were inconsistent before COVID-19 and mostly positive afterwards. A 2025 study found pet owners who live alone are less lonely. Pets help most when they add routine, touch and social contact to your life.

What pet is best for loneliness?

Dogs often bring the biggest social benefits because walks create routine and chances to meet people, and a 2023 study found dog owners saw larger drops in loneliness than cat owners. However, most research finds the bond with your pet matters more than the species. Choose an animal that fits your home, budget, schedule and energy.

Can a pet replace friends?

No. A 2023 PLOS ONE study found pet ownership did not reduce loneliness caused by missing friends or colleagues. A 2025 study found that using a pet as a substitute for people was linked to worse well-being. Pets are wonderful companions, but they work best alongside human relationships, not instead of them.

Are pets good for people who live alone?

Often, yes. A 2025 Scientific Reports study found pet owners who live alone had lower loneliness than non-owners who live alone, which helped explain their higher well-being. Pets bring daily routine, affection and a sense of purpose to an empty home, but they are a long-term commitment of time and money.

Can an AI companion be like a pet for loneliness?

An AI companion is different from a pet. It cannot offer touch or get you outside, but it can hold a conversation, remember your day and check in with you, which a pet cannot. Some people enjoy both. Neither replaces human connection, and an AI companion is an AI, not a person.

Company that talks back

A pet gives you warmth and routine. Sometimes you also want someone to talk to about your day, who remembers the vet appointment and asks how it went.

MyBabe is an 18+ AI boyfriend and girlfriend app for iPhone and Android. Your companion texts you first, remembers your pet's name and your plans, sends voice notes and photos, and picks up voice and video calls. Start free with 10 messages every 24 hours and a two-minute call to try. Premium is $5.99 a week, $14.99 a month or $99.99 a year, with long-term memory and about 30 minutes of calls a week. Your companion is an AI, not a person. Meet your companion on MyBabe.