Researchers examined the relationship between companion animal ownership and psychological health among the general population and found that neither companion animal ownership nor one’s attachment level with companion animals predicts the loneliness levels of individuals living alone.

This examination of the relationship between Canadian dog and cat owners (as well as those without companion animals) and psychological health revealed that dog owners with high levels of human social support were significantly less lonely than non-owners. As a predictor of psychological health, among companion animal owners with low levels of human social support, high attachment to companion animals was more likely to indicate higher scores for loneliness and depression.