A new Mather Institute survey suggests that many older adults who live alone feel pets support their emotional wellbeing, activity and social connection. The findings describe respondents’ own perceptions—not proof that pet ownership caused better health—and any potential benefits need to be weighed against the time, cost, mobility demands and backup care a pet requires.
What did the Mather survey find?
Mather Institute announced results from an online survey of 900 “solo agers” aged 55 and older. The release defines solo agers as people who live alone and do not regularly have family or friends to support them. Respondents reported these perceived effects of having pets:
- 76% said pets improved their emotional wellbeing.
- 62% said pets reduced their stress.
- 45% said pets increased their physical activity.
- Nearly half said pets helped reduce loneliness.
- About one-third said pets led to more social interactions through daily walks and outdoor time.
Mather also reported that dog owners’ physical activity score was 42% higher than the score for adults without pets, and that solo agers without pets averaged the lowest weekly activity. These are findings reported in Mather’s September 30, 2026 release, not evidence that pets produced the differences. Read Mather’s announcement via PR Newswire.
Can having a pet help older adults who live alone?
It may help some people feel less alone and give their days a more regular rhythm, but the survey cannot show that adopting a pet will improve a particular person’s wellbeing. The results are self-reported associations. Trade coverage notes that the release did not say the findings had been published in a peer-reviewed journal; it also did not provide detailed information about sampling, recruitment, response rates, weighting, the questionnaire or statistical significance. The sample therefore should not be treated as representative of all older adults who live alone, and the reported associations are not clinical evidence. dvm360’s coverage of the survey discusses those limitations.
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A participant’s account illustrates how connection can happen in several ways, though it is an individual experience rather than a survey result. BrendaLea Abbott, 66, who takes part in Mather community programs, said her two pets bring her joy and help her feel less alone. She described going outside more, meeting neighbors and talking with other pet owners while buying supplies.
Do pets help older adults stay active?
Some respondents felt that pets increased their activity, but the amount and type of movement can differ by animal and routine. Mather reported that cat owners described short, frequent bursts of movement around feeding, play and household care. Dog ownership was associated with a higher activity score than having no pet in this survey; that comparison does not establish that a dog will increase every owner’s activity.
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Jennifer Smith, PhD, Mather Institute’s vice president, said in the September 30, 2026 release that a 10-minute dog walk can create opportunities to move and connect with others. A walk is only a useful routine when it is safe and manageable for both the person and the dog. Someone with balance, strength or mobility concerns should consider the animal’s pulling, pace and handling needs—not just the prospect of getting outside.
Can walking a dog help older people meet people?
It can create natural chances to greet neighbors or talk with other people outdoors, and about one-third of Mather’s respondents said pets led to more social interactions through walks and time outside. The survey does not establish how often those conversations happened or whether they led to lasting friendships. Social opportunities may also come from shared pet routines, such as visiting a veterinarian or buying supplies, as Abbott’s account describes.
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Did the survey find that dogs or cats are better?
No single pet type emerged as best for every older adult. The release reported age-related differences in emotional findings: dog owners aged 55 to 64 reported fewer depressive symptoms and better overall wellbeing than cat owners, while respondents aged 75 and older who owned cats reported lower depressive symptoms than dog owners. These are group comparisons, not evidence that a particular species caused the reported outcomes or that one is universally preferable.
In practical terms, match an animal to the person’s health, energy and circumstances. Consider the animal’s size, temperament and daily care needs, along with whether its routine fits the owner’s mobility and budget. A dog may involve outdoor walks; a cat’s activity may be more closely tied to indoor routines. Neither option is responsibility-free.
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What should someone living alone consider before getting a pet?
Mather identifies financial stress, the time pets require and concern about who would care for an animal if its owner could not. Before adopting, make a realistic plan for ordinary days as well as interruptions such as illness, injury or a hospital stay.
- Match care demands to your routine and health. Think through feeding, cleaning, exercise, transport and veterinary visits, and choose an animal whose energy, size and temperament suit your lifestyle.
- Work out the costs. Account for routine care and supplies as well as the possibility of veterinary expenses, rather than assuming the animal’s needs will remain inexpensive.
- Name backup caregivers. Identify trusted people, shelters or other arrangements that could provide emergency care if you are unable to do so.
- Look for practical support. Mather suggests considering community foster programs and volunteer programs that help with dog walking or veterinary visits. Confirm that assistance is available and suitable in your area before relying on it.
How does this compare with the University of Michigan’s 2019 poll?
The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation’s National Poll on Healthy Aging was a separate, nationally representative online poll of 2,051 U.S. adults aged 50 to 80. Its 2019 report found that 55% had a pet. Among pet owners, two-thirds said their pet helped them be physically active; the figure was 78% among dog owners. The poll also reported that 65% said a pet helped connect them to other people, 18% said a pet strained their budget, and 6% said they had fallen or been injured because of a pet. These figures belong to that distinct poll and should not be attributed to Mather’s 2026 survey. Read the University of Michigan’s 2019 poll findings.
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