Competing for attention
CHOOSING and taking home a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly, especially for a couple. Dogs, cats and other pets require a lot of attention, which can become a bone of contention with your other half.
A third of “pet parents” questioned in a Catster* survey say that they sometimes feel their pet receives more love and attention than they do. But many respondents don’t mind if their partner takes good care of their cat or dog. Only 5% feel they are competing with their pet for their other half’s undivided attention.
Generally speaking, owners do not see their pet as a rival or a nuisance. Only 6% of those surveyed said that their little companion prevents them from taking time for themselves, or sharing intimate or alone time with their partner. And that’s good news, given the extent to which pets can potentially disrupt a couple’s relationship.
Reason for breaking up?
Living with an animal requires adjustments, especially when your partner already had the pet before you two got together. The responsibilities involved in caring for a cat or dog can become a source of conflict within a relationship. One of the partners, for example, may be reluctant to take on unpleasant tasks such as emptying the cat’s litter box or taking the dog out in the rain.
In the long run, this can become a source of tension, or even a reason for breaking up, in the most extreme cases. According to a 2022 Vetocanisifop survey, one in 10 French people have ended a relationship because their partner didn’t take enough care of their pet.
It’s therefore essential to discuss the matter and establish with your partner the place that they are prepared to give to the pet(s) in their lives, before taking the plunge and adopting or buying one. This way, you will avoid many misunderstandings and disagreements.
But don’t worry: Getting a dog or cat doesn’t have to mean the end of your love life. If you’re single, it could even give your love life a real boost. Numerous surveys show that dogs and cats can be real arms of seduction, making their owners much more attractive to other singles.
* This Catster poll was carried out among 1,005 Americans aged 18 to 65 who own a dog and/or cat. They were either married or living with their partner.