A survey of 900 adults aged 55 and older who live alone found that pets changed the shape of their days. Three quarters said a pet improved their emotional wellbeing. About 62 percent said it lowered their stress, and 45 percent said the animal got them moving more. Nearly half said their pet eased loneliness, and roughly a third said daily walks and time outdoors brought them more contact with other people.
The findings come from the Mather Institute, which surveyed people it calls solo agers, meaning adults who live on their own and do not lean on relatives or friends for routine support. That group is growing. Census figures cited in the report show that 27 percent of women and 21 percent of men aged 65 to 74 live alone. At 75 and older, the share rises to 43 percent of women and 24 percent of men.
Age flipped one result in a way that is worth noticing. Among people 55 to 64, dog owners reported fewer depressive symptoms than cat owners. Among those 75 and older, cat owners came out ahead. The practical reason is easy to guess. A big dog is harder to walk, lift, and steady on ice as the years stack up.
What this means for your dog
If you live alone, a dog can hand you structure you would otherwise have to build yourself. A reason to get dressed. A fixed walk. A creature who is genuinely thrilled when you come back from the mailbox. That is real, and it counts. It also comes with a bill and a what-if. Before you adopt, settle who takes the dog if you land in the hospital, and be honest with yourself about whether you can still hold a strong puller on a wet sidewalk. A calm adult dog often fits this season of life better than a puppy. Our guide to dog breeds for older owners covers the traits that matter more than size, and shelter staff can usually point you to a dog that has already lived happily with an older person.