Does Owning a Pet Make You More Attractive?
A pet in a dating profile can do more than earn a quick “aw.” It can spark a conversation, hint at someone’s day-to-day life, or make a potential match wonder whether their own pet would approve.
Attraction is full of these small, personal details. And because We-Vibe lives in the world of connection, intimacy, and the playful moments that bring people closer, we wanted to know how much pet ownership really matters when singles are deciding who catches their eye, and who might be worth getting to know.
To find out, we surveyed over 2,000 single U.S. adults age 18 and older in July 2026, including pet owners and non-pet owners. We explored whether pets boost attraction, how they affect dating decisions and profile swipes, which animals make the biggest impression, and the pet-parent behaviors that singles find most (and least) appealing.
Key findings
- 63% of singles say owning a pet makes someone more attractive as a romantic partner.
- 69% would hesitate to date someone who doesn’t like animals.
- Nearly 60% are more likely to swipe right on a dating profile with a pet photo.
- 58% say owning a rescue pet is more attractive than owning a purebred pet.
- Women are nearly twice as likely as men to find pet ownership much more attractive (21% vs. 11%).
Does pet ownership make you more attractive?
A dating profile photo with a dog may catch someone’s eye, but pet ownership can signal more than a cute moment. For many singles, it suggests warmth, care, and a life with room for connection.
Our survey found that pets give their owners a meaningful attraction boost, but they’re not a substitute for chemistry.
Pet ownership is a plus for most singles
- 21% of women said pet ownership makes a potential partner much more attractive, compared with 11% of men.
- Even among non-pet owners, 50% said someone with a pet is more attractive. Only 1 in 10 said pet ownership makes someone less attractive
The appeal goes beyond first impressions
This doesn’t seem to be just a hypothetical dating preference. More than half (53%) of the singles we surveyed said they’ve actually found someone more attractive after learning they owned a pet.
Now, we aren’t suggesting that a pet instantly transforms a person’s dating appeal. On average, respondents rated the impact of pet ownership on attractiveness a 6 out of 10. A pet can be a lovely green flag, but it’s only one part of the connection.
“Pet ownership can offer you a glimpse into how one relates to and cares for others. When you see someone lovingly interacting with their pup or rearranging their schedule because their kitty needs to go to the vet, it can help you to understand how they prioritize the needs of others,” says Dr. Jess O’Reilly, We-Vibe Sexologist. “Of course, having a pet doesn’t automatically make someone a more caring or responsible partner, but it can reveal a gentler side that you might not see in other settings. ”
Caring for a pet may make a potential partner feel more appealing, particularly to people who value tenderness and companionship. But what does this mean for real connections? Next, we’ll look at how much that perceived appeal carries over into the real world.
Do pets play a role in real dating decisions?
A pet may make someone more appealing at first glance, but attraction only takes a connection so far. When dating starts to feel more real, a shared comfort around animals can become part of the compatibility conversation.
Our findings suggest pets aren’t simply a profile-photo bonus. For many singles, how a potential partner feels about animals can shape whether they see a future together.
Animal compatibility matters
Nearly 7 in 10 singles (69%) said they would hesitate to date someone who doesn’t like animals. That doesn’t mean every match needs to arrive with treats in hand, but it does suggest that an appreciation for animals carries real weight.
That feeling is particularly pronounced among women:
- 75% of women said they would hesitate to date someone who doesn’t like animals, compared with 61% of men.
- 61% of respondents said it’s extremely or very important that a romantic partner likes their pet or future pet.
- Women were more than twice as likely as men to say this was extremely important—42% versus 20%.
The pet gets a say, too
It’s not only a potential partner’s feelings that matter. More than half of respondents (55%) said they wouldn’t date someone whose pet clearly dislikes them. If a pet is part of someone’s everyday life, earning a little trust from the animal can matter just as much as making a good impression on its owner.
And those signals begin before a first date, with nearly 60% of singles saying they’re more likely to swipe right on someone whose dating-profile photos include a pet.
“Pets can make it easier to connect with another human and this may be especially true when you’re first getting to know one another. They often give you something to talk about and can even provide a reason to get together,” says Dr. Jess O’Reilly, We-Vibe Sexologist. “Because attraction extends far beyond physical appearance, these little glimpses into how someone lives and loves may help to spark interest before you’ve even met.”
For many singles, a pet is part of the package, and a shared affection for animals can help turn initial attraction into a more promising match. Now that we know pets have a real-world dating impact, we’ll take a closer look at which ones make the strongest impression.
Which pets influence attraction most?
If a shared love of animals can help a connection grow, the type of pet can shape that first impression, too. Some companions signal instant appeal to more singles than others, but everything is still a matter of personal preference.
Dogs and cats make the strongest first impression
Dogs came out on top, with 42% of respondents saying a dog would make someone seem most attractive as a potential romantic partner. Cats followed at 30%.
Not everyone sees a specific pet as an attraction boost, though. One in 5 respondents (20%) said no particular pet would make someone more attractive, a useful reminder that the right match is about more than the animal by someone’s side.
At the other end of the scale, respondents were most likely to say these pets would make someone seem less attractive:
- Spiders: 35%
- Reptiles: 17%
- No specific pet: 30%
These results reflect dating preferences, not a verdict on any pet or pet owner. The right companion is still the one that fits your life and brings you joy.
When it comes to dogs, it’s not all about the breed
Singles were fairly divided on the dog breeds they find most attractive. Golden retrievers led the way at 17%, followed by mixed-breed dogs and huskies, each at 8%, and Labrador retrievers at 6%.
The breeds respondents most often associated with lower dating appeal were pit bulls (24%), Chihuahuas (17%), and poodles (5%). Again, that’s a snapshot of perception, not a reflection of a dog’s temperament, care needs, or ability to be a wonderful companion.
Rescue pets add extra appeal
For many singles, how a pet joins the family also matters. More than half of respondents (58%) said owning a rescue pet would make someone more attractive than owning a purebred pet, while 37% said it made no difference.
Overall, dogs, cats, and rescue-pet ownership may add a little extra spark, but compatibility doesn’t come down to a particular breed or species. We’ll finish our exploration on the intersection of pet ownership and attraction by finding out the behaviors (both human and animal) that can make that spark feel even stronger—or dim it.
Which pet-parent behaviors are green flags and turnoffs
The type of pet may make a first impression, but how someone cares for that pet tells a fuller story. For many singles, kindness, responsibility, and a little everyday consideration are what make pet ownership feel especially appealing.
In fact, 7 in 10 singles (71%) said a pet’s behavior at least somewhat affects how attractive they find the owner. A pet can’t control every moment, of course, but the way an owner responds to and cares for them can speak volumes.
Care and connection are clear green flags
The most attractive pet-parent behaviors were rooted in thoughtful, attentive care:
- Being gentle and patient with their pet: 73%
- Taking good care of their pet’s health: 70%
- Having a well-trained pet: 69%
- Having a pet that clearly loves them: 68%
Pet ownership is most appealing when it reflects a caring, respectful connection. It’s less about putting on a show and more about creating a happy, healthy life with a beloved companion.
Small habits can change the mood
- Letting a pet eat off their plate: 56%
- Having a home that smells like pets: 52%
- Letting a pet interrupt intimate moments: 48%
No one is expecting perfection from pets or their people. Still, these findings show that consideration matters—both for the animal and for the person you’re getting to know.
Ultimately, the most attractive pet parents make care look natural. They’re patient, attentive, and mindful of the shared spaces and moments that matter.
Finally, to lend a hand to those searching for someone, we turned some of our findings into a fun, women-informed guide for anyone hoping to make a great impression with a potential girlfriend.
How to get a girlfriend
Our findings point to a clear pattern: Women were more likely than men to see pet ownership as an attraction boost, and more likely to view a partner’s affection for pets as especially important.
That doesn’t mean getting a pet is a shortcut to finding a girlfriend. But if you already share your life with one, the way you care for them (and, of course, the consideration you show along the way) can make a meaningful impression.
Ready for a few pet-friendly green flags? This 6-step guide draws on women’s responses to show how kindness, responsible pet care, and a little animal appreciation can help set the stage for connection.
Attraction is always in the details
Our survey suggests that pets can play a real role in attraction, from dating-profile swipes to the everyday behaviors that make someone feel caring, considerate, and compatible. Still, a dog, cat, or perfectly timed pet photo is only one part of the equation. The strongest connections are built on shared values, mutual respect, and the moments that make people feel close.
That’s the world We-Vibe is made for. Whether you’re getting to know someone new or deepening an established relationship, intimacy starts with connection. And a little playfulness can help it grow.
Explore We-Vibe’s couples toys to find more ways to connect, together.
Methodology
We surveyed over 2,100 single Americans aged 18 and older in July 2026 to explore how pet ownership influences attraction and dating preferences.
The sample included over 1,300 pet owners and 748 non-pet-owners to compare attitudes across both groups. Respondents were asked about how pet ownership affects perceived attractiveness, dating app behavior, pet-related dating preferences, relationship deal breakers, and perceptions of different pet types.
Data were analyzed overall and by demographic groups, including age, gender and pet ownership status. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding, and select questions allowed respondents to choose more than one answer.
The survey was conducted online.
Data Usage Guidelines
- According to recent research from We-Vibe, a sexual wellness brand dedicated to enhancing intimacy and connection …
- Data is provided by We-Vibe, a sexual wellness company.
