Robotic pets for younger people with dementia
Robotic companion cats and pups for younger people living with dementia at home, what the research shows, and how NDIS participants can buy one.
Younger people living with dementia who are NDIS participants can ask about a robotic companion pet in the same way as any other low-cost assistive technology. Families often consider one when the person has become anxious, withdrawn or restless at home, or can no longer look after a live animal safely.
What the research shows
Most robotic pet research has been done with older people in residential aged care, so it is a guide rather than proof for a younger person living at home.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Griffith University trial, 2017, 28 Queensland facilities, 415 residents | A robotic seal reduced agitation compared with usual care on video observation, and improved engagement compared with a plush toy. No difference on the staff-rated agitation scale |
| Review of 15 trials, 2025 | Robot interventions reduced agitation and anxiety. No effect on memory, depression or quality of life |
| Six-week study with robotic cats and dogs, 2022 | Depression and loneliness scores improved in residential care |
| Dementia Support Australia guidance, 2022 | Simulated pets can suit moderate to severe dementia with isolation, reduced communication, apathy or agitation, used alongside other strategies |
Robotic pets help some people and not others. They do not slow dementia and they do not replace care, contact or other supports.
Choosing a pet for someone at home
- A companion cat, listed at $259 to $300, is quiet and suits someone who likes a pet on their lap.
- A companion pup, listed at $269 to $315, barks back and has a heartbeat, which some people respond to more.
- MetaCat, listed at $349 to $399, is rechargeable and responds to voice, so it suits a household where someone manages charging.
Introduce the pet calmly and let the person decide whether to engage. Agree as a family beforehand how you will talk about the pet.
Funding through the NDIS
All three options sit under the low-cost AT limit of $1,500. The purchase still needs to relate to the disability and support a plan goal, such as staying calm and engaged at home. A short note from an OT helps. Read can the NDIS fund a robotic pet for the rules.
If the person has moved into residential aged care, the home may already have robotic pets for residents, so ask the lifestyle team first. Support at Home does not list robotic pets.
Our page on robotic pets and psychosocial disability answers common questions for participants with mental health conditions.
Send an enquiry and a supplier who works with NDIS participants will quote you directly.