Real Dogs Vs Robot Dogs: Which Are Better For Mental Health?

The robot pet craze started with Paro the seal, a fluffy and lifelike companion for the elderly that provided comfort and companionship.

By, Will Tottle, Exclusive To Corridor News

Time and time again, it has been shown that dogs are incredibly beneficial for those suffering from mental health issues.

However, there are those who are not able to have a dog of their own – whether it is because they have severe allergies or are simply not allowed to have a dog in their current home.

For these situations, there is the option of a robotic pet, and they have become a popular substitute for children and the elderly. However, are they really as good as the real thing?

How Real Dogs Help Mental Health

A simple touch and oxytocin is released throughout your body, providing you with a sense of calm, reducing your blood pressure, and even decreasing your heart rate.

All you need to do is put your hand on them, stroke them, or pet them, and they start to work their magic. They also offer a constant companion, someone who is there to listen when you need them, as well as provide comfort free from judgment.

It has also been shown that dogs can help to re-balance serotonin levels in the brain, and even alleviate the severity of panic experienced by those with PTSD. Most of all, they provide the elderly with a cherished friend and eliminate loneliness.

How Robot Dogs Help Mental Health

The robot pet craze started with Paro the seal, a fluffy and lifelike companion for the elderly that provided comfort and companionship.

Perfect for those who cannot care for a pet, it has become very popular in Europe and Japan. Studies have found that robot pets are able to greatly alleviate feelings of depression and loneliness.

They are also interactive, with an example being that the canine version of this barks and cocks its head when you talk to it. They have even been used with children, who found them to be a fun and interactive companion, and something that they enjoyed in terms of portability.

Which is More Effective?

So, which one of these works best? The answer actually varies, with some groups preferring the real dog and others the robot version.

Elderly people found that the robot version was better than the real thing because they had less to worry about in terms of care and what would happen to their pet if they went to a hospital or passed away. The robot dog still offered great comfort and companionship, just without the added stress.

When it comes to children, however, the real thing is massively preferred. While the robot dog was fun and provided them with a portable friend, it lacked the versatility of a real dog. They couldn’t play with the robot version, and it was limited in terms of what it was able to do, which the children found very disappointing.

To Conclude

So, when it comes to combatting mental health, especially loneliness, the results are massively reliant on the age of the participant in the study.

Elderly people found them to be a great companion without any fear or worry about what might happen to them. On the other hand, children preferred a real dog because they could offer more interactivity and support for them – creating a deeper emotional bond.

About the Author

Will is a freelance writer; his blog can be seen here. If you are interested in more information on the benefits of dog ownership including health tips, buyer’s guides and gear reviews, then check out his guides over at Dogowner.co.uk

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