Robotic dogs for aged care homes
How aged care homes add a robotic dog to a lifestyle program: how many to buy, where they fit in care plans, cleaning, batteries and volume quotes.
Many homes already have robotic cats. Lifestyle staff often find that some residents talk about the dog they had for years and pay little attention to a cat. A robotic pup gives those residents a familiar animal to hold and talk to.
Where a pup fits in a home
- Personal use: a resident keeps the pup in their room and it becomes part of their day.
- Shared lounge: one or two pups sit with the cats, and staff note which animal each resident picks up.
- One-to-one sessions: a staff member or volunteer brings the pup to a resident who is unsettled or withdrawn.
Dementia Support Australia guidance from February 2022 says simulated pets can suit people with moderate to severe dementia who are isolated, communicate less, show apathy or become agitated, used alongside other strategies.
Care plans and the Quality Standards
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards took effect on 1 November 2025. Standard 7 covers meaningful activities in the residential community, and Outcome 5.6 covers person-centred care for people with dementia. A robotic dog can be recorded as one of the alternative strategies in a behaviour support plan and as part of the activity program. Buying one does not by itself meet any standard, and the plan should record how each resident responds.
How many to start with
| Home size | Starting point |
|---|---|
| One wing or unit | One or two pups alongside existing cats |
| Whole home | One pup per wing, plus one kept for one-to-one sessions |
| Several homes | A trial set at one site before ordering for the group |
Practical checks before ordering
- Decide who owns battery changes and keep a log.
- Agree a cleaning routine with the infection control lead. The coat is wiped, never soaked.
- Label each pup if it belongs to one resident.
- Plan what staff say if a resident believes the pup is real. Our comparison with therapy dog visits covers how pups and live visits work together.
Volume quotes
Tell us the number of homes and pups and a supplier who sells to aged care will quote directly. The price guide shows current retail prices for a single pup.