By SCAS member, Dr Lori Hoy

At the Society of Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), we have seen firsthand how much comfort a pet can provide when someone feels alone. Loneliness is a feeling that most of us will experience at some point – but it doesn’t have to mean facing life without connection and companionship. This Loneliness Awareness Week 2025, it is a perfect time to explore what loneliness really is, why it’s such a pressing issue, and how our companion animal friends can help us. 

What Is Loneliness (and How Is It Different from Social Isolation)?

Loneliness is more than just being alone – it’s a perceived mismatch between the quality or quantity of social links that a person has and what they would like to have (Perlman et al., 1981). Loneliness is a natural human emotion, and a common experience. It is essentially our mind’s signal that we need more social connection. Everyone’s experience of loneliness is personal, and it can come and go in moments, be situationally based, or persist over longer periods.

In contrast, social isolation is an objective lack of social contacts or relationships. The two don’t always overlap: we can be socially isolated (physically alone) without feeling lonely, and we can feel deeply lonely even in a crowd or among friends. Recognising this distinction is important – it reminds us that addressing loneliness is not just about being around people, but about feeling meaningfully connected to others.

The “Loneliness Epidemic” and Why It Matters

Loneliness has become so widespread today that public health experts speak of a “loneliness epidemic.” In fact, research suggests that persistent loneliness is one of the largest emerging health concerns (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015). 

Prolonged, severe loneliness can be as harmful to our bodies as well-known risk factors like obesity or smoking. Feeling lonely is linked to higher odds of depression, anxiety, and disrupted sleep, as well as stress-related physical issues like elevated blood pressure and weakened immunity. Over the long term, loneliness can contribute to serious conditions – it’s associated with a 26% increase in the risk of early death, and it has been linked to about a 30% higher risk of heart disease and stroke (US Department of Health and Human Resources, 2023). 

There is also evidence that loneliness (and social isolation) can accelerate cognitive decline and raise the risk of dementia (Penninkilampi et al., 2018). In other words, chronic loneliness does not just affect how we feel – it can impact our heart, brain, and overall health.

Equally alarming is how common loneliness is. Recent surveys indicate that a majority of people experience loneliness to some degree. For example, 24% of UK adults reported feeling lonely always, often, or some of the time, while a further 26% reported feeling occasionally lonely. Interestingly, loneliness affects people of all ages in the UK, though young adults (ages 16–29) are almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely as those over 70 (31% versus 16%) (ONS, 2025). 

Certain life situations or characteristics can elevate the risk of loneliness, such as poor health, especially those with chronic conditions and limited communication or mobility, being single, living alone, and having scarce social interactions (Hawkley et al., 2022). 

Public health leaders, psychologists, and charities are raising awareness because the stakes are high: loneliness not only diminishes quality of life but also poses serious health consequences. By understanding the scope of the “loneliness epidemic,” we can better appreciate why initiatives to tackle loneliness, at both personal and community levels, are so important.

What is Loneliness Awareness Week?

Loneliness Awareness Week is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and encouraging supportive communities where people can talk openly about it.

Created and hosted by the UK charity Marmalade Trust, this week-long event shines a spotlight on loneliness as a normal human emotion and promotes ways we can all build more connection by acknowledging that everyone feels lonely at times and that it’s nothing to be ashamed of, we can help ourselves and others to get support.

This year, Loneliness Awareness Week 2025 takes place from 9–15 June 2025, and this year’s theme is “Meeting Loneliness Together”. The focus is on breaking down misconceptions and stigma about loneliness, so people feel more comfortable admitting how they feel and seeking connection. Loneliness Awareness Week is a reminder that by talking about loneliness and taking small actions, we can all help create a more connected, understanding society.

Companion Animals and the Power of Connection

Pets can be powerful allies in the fight against loneliness. Many of us at SCAS have seen firsthand how a wagging tail, a gentle purr, or engaging in enrichment activities with pet birds can lift someone’s spirits. Companion animals offer steady companionship that can help people feel seen, valued, and needed, which can greatly ease feelings of loneliness (Kretzler et al., 2023). 

Some research indicates that simply petting a dog or cat can trigger the release of “feel-good” hormones in our bodies (like oxytocin and serotonin) and lower the stress hormone cortisol (Binfet et al., 2025; Handlin et al., 2012). It’s no wonder that spending time with pets often makes us feel calmer, happier, and less alone in the world.

Pets often serve as natural ice-breakers and conversation starters, helping us form these micro-connections that brighten our days (McNicholas & Collis, 2000). In fact, research has shown that people with dogs tend to have more casual social encounters in daily life – a friendly chat with the neighbours during the dog’s morning walk, or small talk with the local shopkeeper about your pet. These brief interactions/micro-connections with “weak ties” (people we aren’t very close with) might seem minor, but they have been shown to be capable of significantly boosting happiness and a sense of belonging (Sandstrom & Dunn, 2014). 

Importantly, there is growing scientific evidence to back up what pet lovers have long felt. Research from HABRI (2019 has shown 80% of people with pets say that their companion animal makes them feel less lonely and 85% of all respondents (people with and without pets alike) agree that spending time with a companion animal can help reduce loneliness (HABRI, 2019). 

Studies have also suggested that having an animal companion can buffer some of the health impacts of loneliness. For instance, one study found that among those who lived alone, the people who had a pet experienced significantly slower cognitive decline than those without pets. In particular, people living alone with pets retained better memory and verbal fluency over time (Li et al., 2023). While more research is ongoing, these findings are exciting because they hint that pets might help protect not just our emotional health but our brains as we age.

How People and Their Pets Can Take Part in Loneliness Awareness Week 2025

Loneliness Awareness Week is the perfect time for people and pets to celebrate and share the ways our animal friends help us connect. Here are some practical ideas for how you and your pet can get involved and make a difference during the week (and beyond):

1. Reconnect with friends, family, or neighbours – and bring your pet along: Use this week as a reason to reach out to someone you care about but haven’t seen in a while. Invite a relative over for a cuppa or call up a friend for a catch-up walk. They’ll likely be delighted to hear from you, especially if you suggest including your pet in the visit! 

Spending time together with a pet can lighten the mood and spur conversation. After all, who can resist smiling at a friendly dog doing tricks or a purring cat on someone’s lap? Having your pet present when connecting with others can also have therapeutic effects for them: stroking pets has been shown to increase hormones that promote happiness and relaxation, and to reduce stress for both the pet and the person petting the companion animal. You might be surprised how a short visit with a pet can make someone feel acknowledged and uplifted. Both you and your friend may walk away feeling calmer and less lonely than before.

2. Volunteer your time with a therapeutic pet programme: If your animal is gentle and people-friendly, consider learning about what it takes to join a local animal-assisted services programme. Many hospitals, nursing homes, and schools welcome volunteers and their pets to come by and spend time with residents or students who could use some companionship. Therapy animals have a special way of bringing joy and comfort in institutional settings – even a brief visit from a wagging tail can light up a room. 

Research shows that therapy dog visits can reduce stress and loneliness for a variety of people, from care home residents to college students facing exams (Binfet et al., 2025; Gee et al., 2023). 

To get started, you can reach out to organisations like Pets As Therapy (in the UK) or similar groups or ask your veterinarian about local programmes. Volunteering with your pet not only helps others feel connected, but it’s incredibly rewarding for you as a person as well. It’s a beautiful way for you and your animal to give back together.

3. Use your pet’s “social superpower” to meet new people: Pets, especially dogs, can be superb connectors. Their superpower is that they naturally draw people together. During Loneliness Awareness Week, challenge yourself to take advantage of this – strike up a conversation with that fellow dog walker. Remember, even a brief friendly exchange or a smile while your pets sniff noses can make both parties feel more connected that day.

You could even organise a small pet meet-up in your community. For example, start a weekly dog walking group or a pet playdate gathering at a local park. Online tools like neighbourhood forums (e.g., Nextdoor) can help spread the word. These pet-focused social moments often feel easier and more fun than other networking because you already share a common interest (your love of animals!). 

4. Share your stories and spread the word online: A simple yet powerful way to participate is by sharing your own experiences on social media. Your story might encourage someone else to open up or connect with others.

Throughout Loneliness Awareness Week 2025, consider posting a photo or short story about how your pet has helped you or someone you know feel less lonely. Use the official campaign hashtags like #LonelinessAwarenessWeek and #MeetingLonelinessTogether to join the wider conversation. By tagging SCAS and Marmalade Trust, you can help us amplify the message. 

The goal is to share personal, positive examples on social media that remind everyone, we are not alone in feeling alone – and there are joyful ways to find connection (often with a pet by our side!).

5. Engage in daily acts of connection with your pet: Finally, remember that small daily actions can have a big impact. During this week, make a point each day to do something that involves both your pet and a social element. It could be as simple as taking your dog on an extra walk and saying hello to a neighbour, letting a child pet your dog (with permission) on the street, or chatting with the staff at the pet supply store. If you have a cat or bird, you might share a cute photo or video of them with a family member to brighten their day. These little interactions are the building blocks of connection. 

During Loneliness Awareness Week, be mindful and intentional about allowing your pet to facilitate connections with others – you may be surprised at how responsive people are. 

Celebrating Pets as Connectors – You Are Not Alone!

Loneliness is a common human experience, but we hope one positive message shines through: we are never as alone as we think, and our companion animals can help us realise that. 

Let’s celebrate the countless ways pets foster genuine connection – from the dog that introduces you to new friends at the park, to the cat that provides solace after a hard day, to the therapy animal that brings hope to strangers. 

Sources

Binfet, J.-T., Green, F. L. L., Godard, R. J. P., Szypula, M. M., & Willcox, A. A. (2025). Keeping loneliness on a short leash: Reducing university student stress and loneliness through a canine-assisted intervention. Human-Animal Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2025.0001