Key Takeaways
- Kinship’s survey found that a growing number of Gen Z daters are getting “pet-nups,” or custody agreements for their pets, in case their relationship ends.
- Young daters’ commitment to their pets is a key compatibility factor that apps and dating professionals can help address.
- Since matchmakers and dating coaches guide clients emotionally, they should also prepare them for breakups involving shared pets.
For the 2,000 pet owners surveyed by Kinship, their biggest relationship priority is their pet — and how a relationship may impact the pet’s wellbeing down the line. The study found that “pet-nups” could be the next “prenups” for pet parents.
35% of Gen Z couples have pet-nups, which is more than any other generation in Kinship’s survey. If Gen Z’s dating habits give a good indication of the trends dating professionals should expect in the future, then we could be seeing more custody disputes centered on dogs and cats than ever before.
Kinship’s survey sheds new light on how younger daters prioritize pet care as highly as their own wellbeing. It’s not every day that 20-somethings on dating apps wax poetic about responsibility and commitment, but Gen Z’s passion for pet ownership puts these values on display.
It’s not unlike how Gen Z seeks the authentic in-person meet-cutes of yesteryear rather than the quick, superficial connections on the apps. Young daters are willing to wait for a kind of love that checks all of their boxes, including the box labeled “animal lover.”
Pet Priorities Are Redefining Matchmaking Metrics
It’s more common for married couples to have a pet co-parenting agreement than non-married couples, but it may not stay this way forever. Kinship found that young daters, particularly 77% of respondents in New York, are interested in drawing up pet-nups if it means establishing clear boundaries as pet parents.
But… Why? It’s possible that today’s young daters, who grew up in a time when the divorce rate hit 50%, are realists when it comes to relationships.
“Prenups have become mainstream,” LGBTQ+ matchmaker Wade Kyle, who worked with Kinship, told DatingNews. “Over time, I believe pet-nups will become just as normalized as prenups, especially as more people encounter complex pet custody issues.”
3 in 5 Americans are willing to go to court against their ex if it means “winning” custody of their pet or establishing a stable arrangement. And who goes to court if they aren’t passionate about what they’re fighting for?
Gen Z daters are especially likely to take legal action (74%) compared to 62% of millennials.
Pet owners being passionate about their “fur babies” is nothing new; it’s why some dating apps already provide “animal lover” tags and prompts, and allow daters to post photos of themselves with their pets.
Being upfront about pet ownership is important, because having a pet is not only an interest, but a lifestyle.
Pet ownership has truly become a compatibility metric for younger generations, especially on dating platforms. Kyle suggests that dating apps “absolutely need to take this seriously”:
“If they do not allow users to filter based on pet preferences, or if they hide it behind a paywall, they risk losing users who see pets as non-negotiable in a relationship,” he said.
Matchmakers Help Clients Cope With Pet Custody
There’s always the chance that a young couple who share a pet will break up, leading to the difficult question: Who gets the dog?
This question is stressful enough for both people to answer; even worse, according to 2 in 5 survey respondents, is the emotional toll of interacting with one’s ex. Coaches, matchmakers, and even dating apps themselves can prepare clients for the realities of pet co-parenting, just as they would for the reality of having children.
Whether it seems overly-dramatic or not, pet-centered custody battles are an increasingly common part of dating culture that professionals may eventually need to address, Kyle told us.
“This really comes down to whether you embrace the culture or resist it,” he said. “That choice will shape the kind of clientele you attract and what you stand for as a business.”
Educating clients about pet-nups could save them a lot of stress down the line, Kyle explained. After all, 67% of Kinship respondents believe pet-nups ensure their beloved pet’s wellbeing, and 65% like how a pet-nup provides clarity on the oft-convoluted topic of custody.
“I think it is important to raise awareness that pet-nups exist,” Kyle said. “Losing a pet or getting caught in a legal dispute can be incredibly draining emotionally, and having these conversations earlier can help avoid heartbreak later.”
Dating platforms and professionals can help singles clarify their stance on pet ownership and pet-nups. When industry professionals are tapped into what today’s daters prioritize — in this case, pet custody agreements — they can better address their client’s needs.
Even if a couple ends up breaking up, at least they know their options… and so will their furry friend.
