Robotic Pets, Real Comfort? What the Research Says & More Latest News Here – Up Jobs

Well, in many ways they’re just what they sound like: They’re robots designed to look and act like popular pets, such as cats and dogs.

And while this idea might sound like a toy for kids, these realistic robotic pets, like Tombot or Joy for All companion pets are actually made for adults. They’re soft, interactive, and designed to help combat cognitive decline and loneliness.

Yes, several studies have shown robotic animals — just like other pets — can boost our health in several ways by lowering blood pressure and making us feel less bored or sad.

A small 2021 study, for example, gave mild to moderate dementia patients a robotic cat four times a week for 12 sessions and found that these interactions improved all the patient’s moods. Not only that but in half the patients, there was a slight improvement in their ability to pay attention and talk.

A similar 2016 study found that a baby pet seal improved dementia patients’ mental health too, reducing their stress and anxiety levels, as well as their use of pain medications.

Henry says she’s heard of similar benefits from her patients who are caring for their older parents. “[They] reported how much having a robot pet lifted their loved one’s mood,” she says.

“One client spoke about her [older] mother going to the hospital and bringing her robotic pet with her. Not only did it help keep her calm during her hospital stay, but the staff also interacted with the robotic pet too.”

In other words, the robotic pet gave her a companion — and an excuse to interact and socialize a bit more with the staff.

But unlike a real pet, it won’t die if you forget to feed it — nor will it be an issue for people with pet allergies. It can also accompany you places other pets cannot, like the hospital.

It depends.

For some people, the robotic pet won’t be as fun as a real pet, especially if you have the ability to care for a live animal in the way it needs and take it on walks. Interacting with a real animal — and the sense of responsibility that comes with that — might also really help people with other conditions too.

“An individual [experiencing] depression, for example, may benefit from a real pet to support them in exercising, and having daily tasks such as feeding the animal,” says Meghan Downey, a licensed clinical psychologist.

But for others, robotic pets may actually be better.

“For example,” Downey says, “an individual [living with] from dementia, for example, may benefit from a robotic pet more than a real pet as they wouldn’t be worried or burdened with the tasks of meal time, exercise, and cleaning up after the animal, or the responsibility of having to take it to vet appointments.”

Pets can be great for our mental health. If you’re someone who wishes you could cuddle with a waggy-tailed dog but would be challenged with the responsibility that comes with pet ownership, robotic pets might be an option. This is also true if you care for an older loved one or a loved one with dementia.