Pets as a New Dating Criterion
Having trouble finding a partner? The problem might surprisingly lie with your beloved pets. According to Japanese dating and marriage consultant Saori Yamamoto, in modern matchmaking or social dating events, pets have quietly become a new threshold for singles seeking relationships.
More and more people are specifying preferences in their dating profiles, such as "Please do not disturb if you dislike dogs" or "Cat allergy sufferers will not be considered." This deep affection for their furry companions has unintentionally built an invisible wall on their path to romance.
When Love for Pets Deepens, the Path to Marriage Becomes More Difficult
Saori Yamamoto points out that for single individuals aged 30 to 40, pets often serve as companions that heal loneliness and have already become an integral part of their lives. However, this familial-level bond can sometimes become an invisible barrier on the road to marriage.
She analyzes that pets influence activities aimed at marriage because they represent a deep emotional connection that can complicate forming new relationships. There are three main reasons:
1. How Lifestyle Restrictions Affect Partners
The lifestyle of a pet owner is often tied closely to their pet, which can limit their partner's freedom. Whether it's a dog that requires regular walks or a clingy cat that dislikes being alone, these responsibilities can prevent the owner from spontaneously staying out overnight, traveling, or going away for extended periods.
For partners planning to live together in the future, this dynamic can indeed create a certain level of pressure and require mutual understanding and adjustment.
2. Communication Challenges in Relationships: Hygiene and Allergies
Hygiene and allergy issues often create communication gaps between partners. Allergens brought by pet hair, differing standards of household cleanliness, and varying levels of tolerance for odors all test the couple's capacity for understanding and accommodation.
If one partner is a smoker, pet owners frequently refuse to pursue the relationship out of concern for their pet's health.
3. Impact of Prioritizing Pets on Emotional Flexibility
Prioritizing pets above all else can lead to a lack of emotional flexibility. Some pet owners unintentionally place their pets ahead of their romantic partners in terms of priority.
According to research by Dr. Lawrence Crubin, a psychologist, individuals who are overly attached to their pets tend to lose emotional flexibility in romantic relationships. This can cause potential partners to feel excluded and make it difficult for them to become part of the owner's core social circle.
Success Story: Shared Values Are the Key Solution
Despite numerous challenges, Saori Yamamoto presented a hopeful success story. 42-year-old Xiao Wu (a pseudonym) represents dog lovers who live a life fully centered around their pets. He makes sure to walk his dog on time every day and even leaves dinners early to feed his dog.
This level of dedication often caused him to face repeated setbacks in the dating market, even leading him to pessimistically say, "I might be single for life." However, he remarkably got married in just five months.
His partner is a 39-year-old woman who loves cats. At first glance, dog people and cat people might seem incompatible, but the two successfully connected through similar lifestyles and shared values. Both agreed that "animals are family" and were willing to understand each other in terms of finances and daily arrangements.
In the end, they created a harmonious home by keeping their pets in separate rooms, allowing their furry companions to coexist peacefully and building their own little family.
The Best Way to Find True Love: Insights from Saori Yamamoto
Pets are the best way to filter out true love. Saori Yamamoto believes that having pets indeed makes meeting new people more challenging, but it also creates an opportunity to help you find a truly compatible partner.
She emphasizes, "The key is not whether the other person loves animals, but whether they can understand your lifestyle and values. As long as both sides have tolerance, whether you are a dog person, a cat person, or even into reptiles, you can find happiness."
If you are a pet parent currently looking for a partner, this might be a new way to think about it: pets are not obstacles, but a method to help you find someone who truly understands you.
