Including your pet in your profile
Your pet helps relieve your stress, cuddles with you at night, and makes you laugh. They’re the link to finding your perfect mate. More than ever, pets are showing up in dating profiles, and people actually look for others with pets in their profiles.
In the FetchaDate app, it’s even required to include your real pet or pick a virtual one in order to make your introduction. No Pet, No Problem™! In the app, select a virtual dog, cat, horse, snake, fish, bird, and/or turtle.
For pet lovers, it’s pretty clear that now is the perfect time to include your pet in your profile. In polling at my events, while interviewing dog lovers, 100% of the women said if the person didn’t like their dog, there would not be a second date. The good news is you don’t have to wait until a relationship is budding to let the cat out of the bag, so to speak.
You’ve included your pet in your profile. You’ve swiped right, and you’re a match. When do you introduce your pet to this date? How do you spot a pet lover versus a pretender?
Upfront and Personal
First, be honest in your profile. If you have three dogs and a cat, include all of them in your profile. In FetchaDate, they each get their own profile where you can share their personality traits, photos, breed, and more. Be sure to include your pets in your photo gallery, too.
If your pet(s) go everywhere with you in your daily life, say so. Don’t wait until you show up at dinner with your teacup poodle in your purse. If your dog sleeps with you, share that (eventually). If your date has a pet allergy (cat allergies are two times as likely as dog allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology), then pet fur on furniture may be especially problematic.
Also, it will be one very awkward movie night if your date has a no-pets-on-furniture policy while you’re simultaneously trying to snuggle them both. If neither one of you will bend on this living arrangement, this may not be where you want to spend your time down the line.
Introducing Your Dog
When do you introduce your date to your pet? Assuming you have included your pet in your profile and brought it up in your chats and phone calls, it’d be normal to introduce your date to your pet(s) on one of your first few dates. If it’s not the first, that’s fine. You may want to see if it goes any further than a first date. And, if it doesn’t, why bother your pets about it? A public place is best for a first date for several reasons, including your safety. If you bring your pet, (s)he won’t be as territorial while meeting your date.
According to Bark Post, the best time for introductions is as soon as possible. Animals are protective of their owners, especially dogs. Meeting on neutral ground, like a dog park, is a good idea. Your dog won’t feel as threatened by the new person in your life. Bring treats, and encourage your date to give your pet one of them.
If the relationship is going well and you foresee a future, increase the activities with all of you involved. This way, your dog sees the pack increasing rather than this person taking you away.
Tails Tell the Tale
Wagging tails are a sure sign of happiness in some animals, especially dogs. If you have used dating sites before, you know not every profile is genuine. So, how do you spot the faking it animal lovers? First, watch your pet’s behavior. Is your dog’s tail wagging, or does your pet cower or not want to approach? Dogs can sense the energy of others. Your dog may be shy of someone immediately upon meeting them. And keep in mind that some dogs, due to their past, may be scared of new faces for fear they will be taken away. However, it’s unusual to see this in non-kennel dogs.
What’s your date’s reaction to pets? Do they start wiping dog hair off their clothes? Do they cringe when your dog tries to give puppy kisses? A true animal lover will take time to greet your pet and attempt to make friends. Pay attention to your pet’s reaction as well. Don’t spend your time on someone who isn’t going to accept your pet as an extension of you, your personality, and your lifestyle.
Especially since COVID-19, people are spending more time with their pets. It’s okay to be open about how important your pets are to you. They were with you first and have been there for you. It’s an incredible and powerful bond that’ll bring more happiness to your pack when you are with the right animal-loving person who gets it.
