As daylight becomes shorter and routines slow down, many experience a drop in mood and motivation. Before Christmas is marketed as joyful, but for a large number of households it brings family strain and a surprising amount of loneliness. Against this backdrop, it’s no wonder that the idea of welcoming a dog into the home feels appealing.
One of the most consistent findings in human and animal studies is that dogs often act as emotional stabilizers. In my 2025 study, pet owners described a sense of companionship that feels different from human relationships. They spoke of dogs as warm presences that offer routine, purpose, and a steady emotional tone at home.
Many participants said that when a dog is present, it becomes easier to express emotions – whether joy, frustration or sadness. Just having another living being nearby, responding without judgment, can make difficult moments feel more manageable.
These needs are often intensified in winter. For many people, this period makes them think about who is not present as much as who is. Although a dog cannot replace human relationships, a companion animal can make emotional swings less dramatic. For someone dealing with a difficult December, a dog can provide stability in what can otherwise be an emotionally uneven month.
This helps explain the growing popularity of initiatives such as animal-assisted therapy programs and puppy yoga sessions, where participants interact with dogs that are not their own. Research suggests that even brief contact with strangers or therapy dogs can reduce stress and improve mood, indicating that the psychological benefits of dog interaction do not depend on ownership.
Some studies also suggest that dogs may be particularly effective at buffering stress compared to other companion animals, possibly due to their responsiveness to human social cues. Although these experiences are not a substitute for long-term togetherness, they can offer moments of calm, connection and routine.
For people who can’t or won’t commit to dog ownership, lighter forms of contact, such as fostering at a local shelter, walking a friend’s dog, or volunteering with rescue organizations, can still provide psychological benefits.
Dogs and social support
During the COVID lockdowns, people who felt strongly connected to their dogs often reported higher levels of perceived social support. Although the dog did not solve practical problems, this relationship seemed to alleviate feelings of isolation at a time when normal social life was disrupted.
Although the circumstances were very specific, this has found greater relevance. Many spend long stretches of time at home at Christmas, sometimes mostly alone or without regular social contact. In such situations, having a dog nearby can provide a sense of companionship during what might otherwise be extended periods indoors.
Research shows that dog owners often experience short social encounters while walking: short greetings from neighbours, light conversation with other dog owners or recognition from passers-by. These interactions are usually quick, but they can help maintain a sense of belonging in winter, when daylight is short and social activity naturally declines.
Not all owners will have the same experience, and it takes time, energy and resources to care for a dog. Still, for some households, the presence of a dog can make the winter months feel less isolating than they would otherwise be.
Better company than quarreling relatives? Eva Blanco/Shutterstock
Everyday connection
The emotional benefits of companion animals may be particularly relevant to older adults, many of whom live alone. Loneliness later in life is associated with a higher risk of depression, cognitive impairment and cardiovascular disease. Here, companion animals can play a modest but important role. Everyday routines such as feeding, grooming and going outside with the dog give structure to the day and encourage gentle physical activity.
Even short outings can increase light exposure and offer low-pressure opportunities for social contact—two elements known to support well-being later in life. Exposure to natural daylight plays a key role in regulating circadian rhythms, which affect sleep, mood and energy levels.
Outdoor light is more intense than regular indoor lighting, even on cloudy days, and is more effective at signaling to the brain when to be awake and when to rest. In adults, reduced daylight exposure is associated with sleep disturbances and poorer mood, especially in the winter months when the days are shorter.
Being greeted at the door or having a dog sit by the armchair does not replace human companionship, but it can provide a daily feeling of being noticed and needed. Some studies suggest that interacting with a familiar dog can help regulate stress and promote a sense of calm. While these effects should not be overstated, they help explain why many older adults describe their pets as central to their emotional well-being.
But research also indicates there’s an important caveat: emotional benefits are most likely to grow out of stable, long-term relationships. When dogs are adopted impulsively, the foundation may never be developed.
Puppies require exercise, patience – and waking up early in the morning. Adult dogs can come up with behavioral histories that take time to understand. And all dogs have financial responsibilities, from vet bills to insurance and food, that continue long after the decorations are packed away. These realities are often overlooked in the excitement of December.
But for those prepared to take on the responsibility, a dog can offer far more than a fleeting moment of celebration. It can provide years of connection and companionship long after the Christmas lights fade.
Panagiota Tragantzopoulou, Guest Lecturer, University of Westminster. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
