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Introducing ‘Petfishing,’ the Dating Trend Turning Dogs and Cats Into Bait

Experts say using someone else’s pet to get matches can seem harmless, but it may create false compatibility.

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You’ve heard of catfishing, the awful dating trend that involves intentionally misleading a person by using fake photos or information to lure them in.

But what about the slightly less terrifying, yet somewhat concerning trend called petfishing? 

Apparently, people are using other people’s pets to secure matches and connections in the dating scene. According to dating coaches and matchmakers alike, this behavior can be much less innocent than it seems.

Petfishing involves using someone else’s pet to secure more dating app matches or romantic connections. For example, maybe you use a photo with your friend’s golden retriever to make yourself appear friendly and loving, or perhaps you tell a group of women at the bar that you’re a “cat daddy” when you actually don’t own one to begin with. At the core of........

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