Pet Play and Socialization in Aging Communities: Exploring Engagement, Satisfaction, and Age Differences
Erreannau Zellous, Taylor Pope

TL;DR
Playing with pets may help older adults feel more socially satisfied, especially those aged 55–64.
Contribution
This study explores how pet play relates to social satisfaction in aging populations, revealing age-specific effects.
Findings
Pet play is positively associated with higher social satisfaction among older adults.
The association is strongest for those aged 55–64, with a significant effect (β = 0.56, p = 0.005).
The effect of pet play on social satisfaction weakens with increasing age.
Abstract
Animal companionship among older adults, including therapy and pet ownership, has been associated with improved socialization and well-being. Older adults often face a heightened risk of social isolation and loneliness, with pet interactions potentially facilitating social connection and companionship. While research links the general benefits of pet ownership, fewer studies examine how active pet engagement, such as play, relates to socialization in later life. Guided by Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, pet play may align with emotional goals by fostering satisfying interpersonal exchanges. The Biophilia Hypothesis further supports this connection, by framing pet play as a natural and rewarding form of human connection. Using data from the General Social Survey (GSS, 2018; N = 239, aged 55+), an ordinal logistic regression model examined the association between hours spent playing…
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Taxonomy
TopicsHuman-Animal Interaction Studies · Veterinary Practice and Education Studies · Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
