Why Pets are the Ultimate Green Flag in Dating

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Rover explored an important question: What can our pets teach us about love? As it turns out, the human-animal bond sets a high standard for human romance and connections. What’s more, many people view pets as the ultimate green flag in dating.

After surveying 1,000 U.S. pet parents, Rover found that 88% of pet parents agree that how a person treats their pet is a good indicator of how they will treat other people. Additionally, over half of pet parents have ended or avoided a relationship based on how the other person interacted with their pet and vice versa.

Why Pets Are the Ultimate Green Flag

It’s long been said that you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat animals. This is especially true when it comes to our pets. A loving pet owner displays responsibility, empathy, and consistent care toward their animal(s)—all of which are incredibly important in romantic relationships. In fact, 99% of pet parents said they’ve adapted their routines to better meet their pet’s needs or preferences. This selflessness and willingness to sacrifice are crucial in human relationships.

However, we can also learn some valuable love lessons from our pets. With 42% of pet parents believing their pet is better at showing love and affection than their loved ones, it’s clear that our animals help shape and potentially raise our standards, even in dating. Additionally, 81% of pet parents believe that their dogs and cats love them unconditionally. This love and acceptance can strengthen our confidence and self-worth.

Not to mention, 42% of pet parents said their relationship with their pet has impacted how they view love or commitment. Certainly, these human-animal bonds further serve our perception of relationships. You wouldn’t abandon your dog or stonewall your cat, now would you?  

How Pets Show Love

According to Rover’s research, dogs tend to show love differently from cats. Our canine friends tend to crave physical closeness, relaxed eye contact, and even playfulness.

“Dogs pay very close attention to us, notice small changes in our moods, body movements, and posture, physiology that allow them to be so highly attuned to us that they more often than even in our most close and intimate relationships are attuned and responsive to how we are really doing and the events in our lives,” says Philip Tedeschi, Professor and Researcher on the Human-Animal Bond and member of Rover’s Pet People Panel. “This authentic source of interest in us offers a form of authentic connection not found anywhere else.”

On the other hand, cats are often more subtle with their affection. Think: slow-blinking, rubbing against your legs, and sleeping in the same space (but not always on or against you, as a dog might). However, both pets offer genuine and healing forms of love. 

“I think the strongest evidence of love is likely not something you are going to see because it’s occurring in the interpersonal neurobiology of the connection between both of you,” Tedeschi adds. “But the observable outcome of these internal neurobiological mechanisms creates a relationship unlike any other.”

How We Can Learn to Love Like Our Pets

If you’re looking to improve your love life this Valentine’s Day, look to your pet for some inspiration. 

“Humans tend to bond with one another emotionally,” says Tedeschi. “When this occurs, there are specific behaviors that accompany this connection. One of the most observable is the behavior of wanting to be physically close and watching one another.”

Of course, this is similar to how pets display their love. Whether it’s sharing the same space or cuddling up on the couch, proximity aids in connection. Additionally, pets often communicate their love through their gaze—as do humans.

“It’s not exactly staring because the quality of this behavior holds deeper meaning: equal parts affection, protectiveness, and a commitment to knowing and understanding,” Tedeschi explains. “Canine researchers referred to this as ‘gazing’ and termed it Gaze-Mediated bonding. The result, no matter what you call it, exists with our closest companions and results in the activation of the oxytocin system in both the dog and the human.”

It’s many humans’ dream to find a partner who’s as attentive and loving as their beloved pet. There’s a reason why “golden retriever boyfriends” and “black cat girlfriends” are trending tropes. Animals show their love, loyalty, and devotion in unique ways—but they’re as authentic as it gets.

“The concept of unconditional love from a pet helps us set a higher standard for the consistency and acceptance we seek in human relationships,” Tedeschi says. “The loyalty and commitment shown to a pet is a powerful indicator of a person’s capacity for deep, enduring human connection. That’s why we consider pets as the ultimate green flag to human relationships and romance.”