Kamal Ghorui
Dating in the digital era feels like navigating a maze of swipes, situationships, and social media soft launches. Gen Z daters may have dating trends, but one is stealing hearts and getting them matches: petfishing. It’s the clever tactic where singles use their pictures with their pets on their profiles to look more cute, approachable and lovable. Spot a guy cradling a fluffy golden retriever or a woman cuddling a café cat? You’re already half-sold. But here’s the paw-twist: That furball might not even be theirs.
What exactly is petfishing?
Petfishing is simple and sneaky. Daters borrow a friend’s dog, snag a selfie with a street kitten, or raid stock photos to signal “I’m kind, responsible, and fun.” It works like magic—a recent Happn survey of Indian singles revealed 19% have featured (or considered featuring) pets on their profiles.Why? Pets scream warmth. Swipe right on a solo selfie, and it’s meh. Add a wagging tail, and boom—instant connection.Psychologically, it’s backed by the “halo effect.”Our brains link pet owners to traits like empathy, stability, and emotional depth. It’s a shortcut to seeming dateable. Plus, pets spark gold-standard icebreakers: “What’s your dog’s breed?” beats “Hey” every time. Profiles with pets snag more likes, replies, and dates—fact.
From online swipes to real-life dates
This trend spills offline too. The same Happn data shows Indian daters rethinking first meets. While 33% stick to coffee chats without pets, 25% choose low-key dog walks. Another 20% bond over pet stories and chai—think of casual walks where Fido steals the show. It’s a great way to calm down and turn awkward silences into tail-wagging stories.
When petfishing is a red flag
Sounds paws-itively perfect, right?Not so fast. Petfishing gets messy when the truth surfaces. That “my loyal lab” story crumbles if it’s your roommate’s pup on loan. Many feel tricked—annoyed or even betrayed—when the pet vanishes from real life. People who love pets and want to meet other pet owners feel let down when their expectations don’t match. For example, if someone has allergies or doesn’t want a pet, the “green flag” turns into a dealbreaker. Dating apps are tricky enough without fictional sidekicks—authenticity wins long-term.
Is petfishing worth the risk?
Petfishing is the cutest hack in the dating game—it boosts visibility and attractiveness. In pet-loving India, where 40 million households have dogs or cats (per recent pet industry stats), it’s a natural fit.But play smart: If you’re not a true animal lover, skip the borrow.Next time you swipe on a pet profile, pause and check if it is genuine or clever catfish?
