Pet-Fishing: Rising Dating Trend
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12 April 2026
Pet-fishing, a rising dating trend, refers to people using pets, often dogs or cats, in dating profiles to appear more attractive, caring, or emotionally appealing
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Profiles featuring pets tend to signal warmth, empathy, and responsibility -- traits many users look for in partners
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Photos with pets often get more likes, matches, and engagement compared to solo pictures
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In a crowded digital space, animals help a profile appear more trustworthy and approachable
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The trend is especially growing in Indian metro cities where pet ownership and app-based dating are both on the riseceived as more trustworthy and nurturing
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19% of Indian singles have featured a pet on their profile or have considered doing so to boost engagement
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Pets also make it easier to break the ice, giving matches an easy topic to start chatting about
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While often harmless, the trend can be deceptive
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Experts warn that "borrowing" a pet from a friend, a cafe for pictures can lead to a "halo effect," where a person is assumed to be more reliable than they actually are
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ndtv.com