Move over, 'cat ladies'. A new wave of pet ownership is sweeping across the UK, as more men than ever are proudly embracing life as 'cat dads'. Long-held stereotypes that painted male cat owners as eccentric or sinister are being dismantled, one purr at a time.
The Statistics Behind the Trend
Data from the charity Cat Protection reveals a significant shift. Their figures show that men now make up almost as many cat owners as women, with 23% of owners being male compared to 24% female. This cultural change is gaining mainstream attention, with comedian David Baddiel fronting a new Channel 4 show, Cat Man, dedicated to feline fans.
To understand this growing phenomenon, we spoke to three self-described cat dads about their experiences and why they believe more men are discovering the joys of feline friendship.
Ruairi Dunne: From Dog Person to Devoted Cat Dad
Ruairi Dunne, a 30-year-old data scientist from Cornwall, always saw himself as a dog person after growing up with them. His perspective changed completely after moving to Rotterdam with his fiancée, Lindsay. The couple adopted two tabby brothers, Freddie and Barney, who had been found by the roadside at just one week old.
Ruairi describes his bond with the cats as a 'fairytale'. He told us: 'Freddie's intelligent and athletic, while Barney is soft, clumsy and cute.' His enthusiasm has proven contagious. 'Freddie and Barney’s charisma actually prompted both my brother and my best friend to pursue cat adoption,' he shared.
For Ruairi, the best part of being a cat dad is 'a toss-up between them curling up on my lap purring while I work from home, or cracking me up with some ridiculous acrobatic manoeuvre.' He believes men have traditionally leaned towards dogs due to a more active, outdoor lifestyle, but argues: 'I love my cats a lot, and I’m sure plenty of other men would too.'
Rovie Hernandez: The Cat Step-Dad Winning Over a Diva
For Rovie Hernandez, a 28-year-old marketing strategist, the role is slightly different. He is a 'cat step-dad' to three-year-old Jeff, who officially belongs to his housemate. As she works in an office, Rovie spends most days with Jeff, taking on numerous parental duties.
Their relationship had a rocky start. 'I was hesitant to pet him at first as he used to hiss at me,' Rovie admitted. 'But over time, I won him over.' Now, his favourite ritual is 'biscuit factory time', when Jeff kneads dough on his chest. 'I’ve read that it’s very healing when cats do this,' he said.
Rovie finds the gendering of pets strange. 'I think men tend to go more towards dogs as owning a dog involves being more physical,' he noted. However, he added firmly: 'A cat being seen as “feminine” isn’t an issue to me though, and anyone who would think so is kind of weird.'
Corey Bryans: A Bond That Fosters Responsibility
Corey Bryans, 24, a digital marketer from the Wirral, feels his cat Ollie 'chose' him. Adopted in 2024, Ollie quickly became Corey's 'baby'. 'I work from home a lot, so I was around him most of the time as he grew up. Over time, we built a bond and I honestly couldn’t imagine my life without him,' Corey explained.
Living alone, Ollie provides constant companionship. 'His little chirps and meows melt my heart,' Corey said. 'He loves to play fight and I’m convinced he thinks he’s a dog sometimes, as he loves playing fetch.'
Corey believes having a cat has made him more responsible, patient, and affectionate. He is bewildered by the idea that cats are less demanding than dogs. 'Cats require just as much emotional investment and care as dogs,' he stated, 'and that shouldn’t be gendered at all.'
The stories of Ruairi, Rovie, and Corey highlight a simple truth: the companionship of a cat transcends outdated stereotypes. As male ownership continues to climb, the image of the quintessential cat person is being happily rewritten.
