Having a cat or a dog helps to reduce loneliness

80% of pet owners said their pet makes them feel less lonely, and 85% of respondents agree that interaction with pets can help reduce loneliness.

(Respondents of an American national study. More than one-third of Americans older than 65 and half of those over 85 live alone)

https://habri.org/research/mental-health/social-isolation/(open in new tab)

90% of pet owners said their pet helped them cope emotionally with the lockdown, and 96% said their pet helped keep them fit and active.

(Study conducted in the UK during the pandemic based on 6 000 respondents. More than 40% of UK households are estimated to own at least one pet)

https://news.lincoln.ac.uk/2020/10/01/having-pets-linked-to-better-mental-health-and-reducing-loneliness-during-lockdown/(open in new tab)