Skip to main content

Pet Insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.

Figo Pet Insurance Logo
  • Pet Insurance
    • Dog Insurance
    • Cat Insurance
    • Coverage
    • Compare
    • FAQs
  • Pet Cloud
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
Get a Quote
Figo logo

  • Login
  • Dog Insurance
  • Careers
  • Found a lost Figo pet?
  • About Us
  • Cat Insurance
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Employers
  • Veterinarians
  • Compare
  • Maine Residents
  • California Privacy

Subscribe to our newsletter

  • Instagram logo
  • facebook
  • tiktok
  • Twitter

No one is permitted to sell, solicit or negotiate an insurance policy without a producer license in the state in which the plan is sold, and all prospects should be directed to Figo Pet Insurance. The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions (including pre-existing conditions), and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval and coverage may vary by state. Coverage underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a Delaware Insurance Company, 11333 North Scottsdale Road Suite 160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Live Vet and the Figo Pet Cloud are separate non-insurance services unaffiliated with IAIC. Figo Pet Insurance's California license number is 0K02763.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use & Licensing
  • Insurance Fraud Warnings
  • Underwriting

Copyright © 2015-2023 Figo Pet Insurance LLC. All rights reserved

When a couple splits, they should do what’s best for pets

October 13, 2016

Veterinarian Dr. Lee Pickett shares pet medical advice regarding custody arrangements for pets caught in a divorce.

When a couple splits, they should do what’s best for pets

Q:My husband and I are divorcing, and both of us want our three cats, Tic, Tac and Toe. While they are litter mates, Tic and Tac are strongly bonded to each other, but Toe seems happy with them or by himself.

We’re talking about joint custody, which would involve periodically moving the cats from one home to the other. An alternative option is to split up the cats, with my husband taking Toe. What do you recommend?

A:The American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers estimates that pet custody disputes arise in 15 percent of divorce cases, so you are not alone. As in child custody decisions, you must do what is best for your pets.

Unlike dogs, most cats don’t like to move from home to home, so I suggest you let your cats settle into one home.

These three litter mates may be more bonded than you think, and it’s always best for pets to remain with their friends. If Toe doesn’t play with Tic and Tac at all, it may be possible to separate them. However, it sounds like he does socialize with them, so it’s probably best to keep all three cats together.

If that’s the case, the cats should live with the parent to whom they’re more tightly bonded, and the other parent should visit them.


Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine in Pennsylvania. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.