Do You Have a Pet Custody Agreement? Tips for Divorcing Parents

BY KARIS NAFTECertified Dog Behavior Consultant, Accredited Mediator, Founder, Who Keeps the Dog?, Divorced Girl Smiling Trusted Professional

When parents get divorced, one of the first things they work out is a custody agreement for their children. That schedule might be 50-50, one week on and one week off, or it might look very different depending on work schedules, travel, and what best supports the child. But is there such a thing as a pet custody agreement? There sure is.

When there is a pet involved, especially a beloved dog, the parents sometimes decide the dog should move back and forth with the children between two homes. This is an increasingly common situation in divorce, and it is one that deserves careful thought. As a pet custody mediator and dog behavior specialist, I work with families and divorce professionals to help them make decisions that truly support both the animal and the people involved.

Is going back and forth hard on a dog?

The short answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Every situation is unique. Whether a shared pet custody arrangement can work depends on many factors, including the dog’s breed, age, temperament, the age of the child, and the overall dynamic between the parents.

Dogs are often excited by change at first. New places can feel like adventures, and many dogs initially seem to enjoy the novelty of moving between homes. Over time, however, some dogs begin to feel unsettled. Dogs thrive on predictability and a sense of “home,” and when that stability is missing, stress can build.

Signs that a dog is struggling with a shared custody arrangement can include house soiling, increased barking, chewing, snapping, withdrawal, sleeping excessively, or loss of appetite. These behaviors are not acts of defiance or messages to the parents. They are signs that the dog is not coping well with the situation.

Thinking long term, not just for now

One of the biggest mistakes people make is creating a pet custody plan that feels emotionally soothing in the moment but is not sustainable over time. In the early stages of divorce, emotions run high and everyone is trying to minimize pain. Unfortunately, a plan that seems fair or comforting at first can fall apart months later, leaving both the dog and the family in distress.

A successful pet custody plan needs to be evaluated through a long-term lens. Ask yourself not only whether this arrangement feels good now, but whether it is likely to work six months or a year down the line.

The challenges of a 50-50 split for dogs

While shared parenting works well for many children, a strict 50-50 split is often very challenging for dogs. Constantly moving between two homes can leave a dog feeling unsettled, even if the dog loves both people deeply.

In many cases, dogs do better when they have one primary home. This does not mean the other parent disappears from the dog’s life. Shorter, predictable visits, such as every other weekend, can allow the dog to maintain a relationship with both people while still having a stable base.

For couples without children who want to share a dog equally, longer blocks of time, such as one month at a time, are often more successful than frequent transitions. Fewer moves mean less stress for the dog.

When children are involved

Many parents want the dog to be wherever the child is, believing the dog will provide comfort during a difficult transition. This can work beautifully in some cases, but only if the dog is genuinely bonded to the child.

A key question to ask is: does the dog truly love and seek out the child? An older child who feeds, walks, and plays with the dog may serve as a stable emotional anchor. A toddler, however, is very different. Dogs generally do not bond deeply with very young children, simply because toddlers cannot meet a dog’s needs or interact in consistent ways.

If a dog is primarily attached to one parent and not especially connected to the child, moving the dog back and forth with the child may actually make things harder for everyone. In some cases, children can feel rejected if the dog seems anxious, withdrawn, or uninterested, which can add to the emotional weight of divorce.

An alternative that often works well

One solution that surprises many parents, but often works beautifully, is for each household to eventually have its own pet. In this arrangement, the child moves between homes, and each home has a pet that suits that parent’s lifestyle and capacity.

This can mean two happy, well-adjusted animals and a child who enjoys loving companionship in both homes, rather than one stressed dog struggling to cope with constant change. A happy dog is more affectionate, more patient, and ultimately a better companion for a child.

Avoid impulse decisions during divorce

One of my strongest recommendations is to avoid getting a new pet in the middle of a divorce as a way to ease guilt, soothe emotions, or make a home more appealing to a child. Divorce is an emotionally chaotic time, and dogs need stability, structure, and calm leadership.

Choosing a pet should always be based on long-term lifestyle fit, not on the hope that an animal will cushion the emotional blow of divorce. Think about where you will be a year from now, or five years from now. Consider your time, energy, work schedule, and living situation. A thoughtful decision now can prevent heartbreak later.

Let the dog’s behavior guide you

Dogs cannot tell us how they feel, but they show us through their behavior. A dog who eats well, sleeps peacefully, and behaves calmly in one home but shows anxiety or stress in another is communicating something important. This is not a judgment of either parent. It does not mean the dog loves one person more than the other.

Dogs are simple and honest creatures. They seek comfort, predictability, and peace. During divorce, when adults are already feeling vulnerable, it is easy to take a dog’s preferences personally. Try not to. Supporting what helps the dog feel safe is an act of love, not rejection.

In closing, pet custody during divorce is not about fairness in the human sense. It is about well-being, sustainability, and compassion for an animal who has no voice in the legal process. By focusing on what truly works for the dog and the child, rather than what feels easiest or most comforting in the moment, families can create arrangements that support healing for everyone involved.

If you are navigating pet custody during divorce and feeling unsure, you are not alone. Thoughtful guidance and open-minded problem-solving can make all the difference, for both people and pets.