Valentine’s Day is a moment to celebrate love, and what purer love is there than the bond we share with our dogs?
Rover.com—the world’s largest network of pet care providers—looked into the science behind why dogs and humans love each other and how pets impact our romantic relationships. Did you know that including a dog in your dating profile pic makes you more attractive? Or that getting a dog improves your relationship with your partner?
Read on for the data that shows us just how much dog love is changing Valentine’s Day—and our lives all year round.
Your Dog’s Love Language
Although dogs don’t send us emails or text messages, they have figured out ways to tell us they care, from cuddling to gazing into our eyes. 
Dogs are emotionally intelligent and experts at communicating with humans. And they can even tell that we love them back! They sense our emotions and take cues from our body language.
That’s why gentle touch and eye contact with your dog are so important. Both stimulate the hormone oxytocin in dogs (and humans), producing feelings of relaxation and attachment.
How Dogs Make Us Better Partners
Dogs deepen our relationships! Our survey shows that 71% of people in relationships say they’re more attracted to their partner after seeing how they care for their dog.
What’s more, 56% of people in relationships say they spent more time as a couple after getting a dog.
Raising a pet with a significant other also requires cooperation and can teach you a lot about your partner. It helps couples improve communication, problem-solving skills, and better manage money… and that’s just the beginning.
A Dog Makes a Family
Dog owners say their dogs are great judges of character, help them connect with their partners, and are stepping stones to building a family.
In fact, 86% of people in a relationship agree that having a dog makes them feel more like a family. And two out of three dog owners say that having a dog has made them more confident in their parenting skills.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Dog Love
A full ninety-five percent of pet parents believe their dogs love them. And they’re ready to give back! February 14th isn’t just about romantic love anymore. Dog owners plan to show their pets some love this Valentine’s Day with special gifts and dates.
Just check out these responses!
- 25% will take their dog on a date on 2/14
- 62% will purchase a Valentine dog gift
- 1 in 3 said they’ll spend the same amount of money on their dog as on their partner
Dog Love 101: How Humans and Dogs Show Affection
Over thousands of years of interaction, humans and dogs have evolved strategies for connection. Here’s how dogs and people show their love to one another.
Dogs show humans love with body language, excited greetings, and physical contact. Humans give back to their dogs with play, special treats, and quality time.
Dating Goes to the Dogs
Dog people love to meet other dog people (and their dogs). Data shows that having a dog can increase your chances of getting a date.
For instance: adding a photo of you and your dog to your dating profile makes you more appealing to potential matches. That’s according to 72% of respondents!
Interested in learning more about services Rover provides?
Dog Boarding | Pet Sitting | Dog Walking | Doggy Day Care | House Sitting | Grooming
Methodology: The Anatomy of Dog Love report is based on a survey of 1,500 U.S. dog owners conducted by Rover in January 2020 via Pollfish.
