Choosing a robotic dog or a cat
A 10-point checklist for choosing a robotic dog or a robotic cat for an older person or aged care resident, based on their past pets and daily habits.
The most useful guide to the right animal is the person’s own history. Someone who kept dogs for fifty years may ignore a cat, and the reverse happens too. Work through the points below with the person, their family or the staff who know them. This site covers dogs. For cats, speak to the supplier when you enquire.
Which animal did they live with?
- Note whether they grew up with dogs or kept one as an adult, with the breed and name if you know them.
- Note whether they still mention a dog in conversation, or watch dogs in photos or on television.
- Note any cats they kept and how often they talk about them.
If the answers point clearly one way, start with that animal.
How do they like to interact?
- A person who talks to the things around them often suits a pup, because the bark-back answers.
- A person who prefers to stroke and hold quietly may do better with a cat that purrs and settles.
- A person who likes weight on their lap may enjoy the pup’s heartbeat, which can be felt when it is held.
- A person easily startled by sudden sounds may find a barking pup unsettling, so check whether a quiet setting is offered.
Where will the pet live?
- In a single room, the owner’s preference should decide.
- In a shared lounge, a home can keep one of each and watch which one residents pick up.
- At home with family visiting, think about who changes batteries or charges it.
What if you still cannot decide?
Try a dog first if the person talks about dogs at all. Robotic pets suit many people and do not suit everyone, and a pet a person ignores does no harm when it is handed to someone else. For aged care homes, a mixed set is a reasonable start.
Price and next step
A companion pup sells for $269 to $315 at Australian specialist retailers, and robotic cats sit in a similar range. The robotic dog comparison covers the dog options. When you are ready, send an enquiry and say which animal you want.