There are several reasons why people stay in unwanted relationships. Some people stay due to fear of being alone, insecurity, or even inconvenience. But another lesser-known reason may be picking up steam: avoiding the loss of a pet.
Yep, you heard that right.
For many people, pets are like family. Often, dating can involve not just growing an emotional attachment to a partner but also to their pets.
So much so that 1 in 3 Americans admitted to prolonging a relationship they knew was over because they couldn’t face losing their favorite furry friend, according to new data from the DatingAdvice Love, Pets & Partnership Survey.
Interestingly, men were more likely to have stayed in a relationship for this reason compared to women — 37% vs. 29%. And the favorite animal or pet of weakness? Unsurprisingly, most daters say they stayed for a dog (22%), more so than for any other animal (cat: 8%; exotic pet: 3%).
Our study also found key generational gaps in the perceived emotional stakes of sharing pets after a breakup, revealing a disconnect in how Americans view pets in relationships across demographics.
Most Americans (61%) Say They’d Sign a “Pet Prenup”
Breakups tend to signal the end of a relationship, but sometimes “the end” is only for the humans involved. As it happens, most people are willing to set contingencies in place to ensure they remain in their shared pets’ lives.
Nearly two-thirds (61%) of Americans say they would sign a “pet prenup” to maintain custody of shared pets — a move to protect their lasting bonds with their favorite animals. As we can see, the debate isn’t whether the idea of a “pet prenup” is practical, but what terms apply.
Almost half (48%) of daters surveyed say pet custody agreements should apply only if the couple adopted the pet together. Another 24% think all couples should sign a “pet prenup,” while 28% believe no one should sign an agreement.
But one group in particular showed the most support for pet custody agreements. And it’s probably not who you would expect. Not only were men more likely to remain in a relationship for a pet, but they were also more likely to say all couples should sign a “pet prenup” than women (28% vs. 20%).
In contrast, women took a more conditional stance — 55% support pet agreements only for couples who adopted a pet together — compared with 41% of men.
As for generational differences, we found that willingness to sign a “pet prenup” declined with age. Naturally, Gen Z led at 66%, followed by:
- Millennials (64%),
- Gen X (53%),
- Boomers (50%)
Once a thing of celebrity tabloids, “pet prenups” have become a practical option for many couples, offering a way to avoid disputes and clearly define custody arrangements for their beloved animals in the event of a split.
“The growing interest in pet prenups reflects a profound cultural shift; pets are no longer considered mere property. They are family members, companions, and emotional anchors. Legally, however, the law has not fully caught up with that reality,” said Debra Hamilton, Conflict Consultant, Mediator, and Principal of Hamilton Law and Mediation PLLC.
“In most states, animals are still classified as personal property in a divorce or separation, which means the human bond with a pet can be dismissed in a single line of a court order. A pet prenup fills that gap before emotions run high and the relationship is already in crisis.”
45% Say They’d Feel Jealous if Their Ex’s New Partner Spent Time With Their Shared Pet
It’s common for emotions to linger after a split. After all, breaking an attachment can take time. But the emotional stakes can increase when pets are involved, forcing daters to get over their feelings for their ex — and their pets.
According to our study, 45% of U.S. adults say they would feel jealous if their ex’s new partner spent time with a pet they once shared. These feelings didn’t stop at envy. About 16% of respondents say they would outright hate it if an ex had a new partner around their pet.
Gen Z was the most jealous generation in our survey, aligning with their strong willingness to sign a pet custody agreement. In fact, 1 in 3 say they’d feel jealous, compared to 19% of boomers, who are the most unbothered group.
A pet hanging out with a new flame isn’t the only worry on daters’ minds. Respondents are also split on how they would share custody of their pet with their ex. We found a sharp divide in opinion:
- 40% would share custody
- 40% would not share custody
- 20% would temporarily share custody
Our findings also reveal splits in opinion across key demographics; some groups showed more willingness to share ongoing custody than others.
| Demographic | Willingness to share ongoing custody (%) |
|---|---|
| Women | 37% |
| Men | 44% |
| Gen Z | 37% |
| Millennials | 45% |
| Boomers | 31% |
| Gen X | 39% |
Sharing a pet with an ex can come with hesitation, especially if there’s another party involved. More than half (55%) of our respondents say they would not date someone who regularly sees their ex to care for a shared pet.
This reluctance is consistent across generational and gender groups, and it’s not much of a surprise. Having ongoing communication with an ex can be messy, especially if one person has already moved on. So this explains why some may oppose a shared custody agreement.
Pet Bonds Are Forever
Our data tells a clear story: While human relationships may end, pet bonds don’t. And daters are taking the initiative to settle custody early in case the relationship goes awry.
Traditionally, custody agreements never extended past the idea of sharing children. But from staying in unwanted relationships for their pets to feeling jealousy when an ex moves on, it’s clear that pet ownership has become an integral part of modern romance.
“Pets have moved from the backyard to the bedroom, emotionally and legally, and we haven’t caught up. People are finally demanding that agreements be made that reflect what animals actually mean to them,” said Debra.
“The most important conversation a couple can have is not ‘who gets the dog’ at the end, but rather ‘how do we protect this animal through every chapter of our lives together’ from the very beginning.”
Society may not have landed on a norm for handling pets after a breakup just yet. Still, pet custody agreements are gaining mainstream support, solidifying the “pet-nup” as a true, practical planning tool for couples in our current dating age.
For media inquiries, please contact colleen@datingadvice.com.
Methodology
This survey was conducted by DatingAdvice and Prodege and includes responses from 1,498 U.S. adults ages 18 to 79 across a range of relationship statuses, including single, in a relationship, and married. The sample reflects a broad distribution across gender, age, and U.S. regions. Fieldwork was completed in March 2026. The theoretical margin of error for a probability sample of this size is ±2.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
