Celebrating cool dads on Father’s Day
When you think of a typical “cat person,” you might picture a woman surrounded by feline friends. But the stereotype that only women adore cats is outdated. This Father’s Day, celebrate the other half of the cat world – cat dads. Scroll to the end to find some fun, free cards for cat dads.
The Origins of “Crazy Catman”
Cats were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, but in other ancient civilizations they were more often associated with witches and the supernatural than as revered companions. In medieval Europe, cats were nearly wiped out in mass slaughters fuelled by foolish superstition.
It wasn’t until the late 1800s that cats began to become popular household pets among the middle class, and even then, cat care was often seen as a hobby for older women whose children had grown up.
Cat lovers’ clubs were founded one after another in the UK, and the first president of the club was none other than the crazy cat man artist Louis Wain.
At the time, the rugged single male who cherished the quiet companionship of cats was considered eccentric at best.
Sea captains, wilderness trappers, and other adventurers who brought cats on their travels as mousetraps and traveling companions were some of the earliest exponents of the “crazy cat man” who defied gender norms.
Authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway were also pioneers who wrote lovingly about cats. Truly ahead of their time, they didn’t have the millions of cat toys we have today. But Twain came up with some ingenious ways to play with cats.
Adventurous cat dad goes on an expedition
These days, many modern cat dads are embarking on outdoor adventures with their feline friends. From hiking and camping to canoeing and vanlife road trips, active cats and their human friends are showing off their adventures on social media with the hashtag #adventurecats.
One of the most famous adventure cat dads is Pico the Adventure Cat and his human sidekick. This fearless cat from the Pacific Northwest has garnered more than 3 million social media followers with his hiking, kayaking and rock climbing adventures.
A cat dad who works 9 to 5 brings his cat to work
Other cat dads proudly bring their felines into less adventurous but equally unique workplaces: Long-haul truck drivers were among the pioneers who took feline companions along the long, lonely stretches on the highway.
These days, office cats can be found curled up in IT cubicles, general stores, barns, and many other businesses and workplaces that need to keep an eye on mice or simply provide a fun distraction. Search #officecats or #shopcats on Instagram and you’ll find thousands of working cat dads.
Military and emergency services cat dad
Speaking of unique workplaces, military and emergency services bases have long had their share of cat dads. For travel reasons, official rules forbid long-term pet ownership, but it was common for deployed soldiers to keep house cats to accompany them at remote outposts.
By searching the hashtag “#militarycats,” you can find soldiers, sailors and airmen caring for cats all over the world.
Cats in emergency services have a long history, too. Fire station cats were once commonly found catching mice, and they still abound today. Today, police station cats bring a little laughter to a stressful job. Search #policecats to see some of the police’s most beloved felines.
Cat dads go mainstream
Luckily, times have changed dramatically over the past century. Cats now outnumber dogs as the most popular pet in America, and caring men of all ages and backgrounds profess their love for the feisty felines.
Whether it’s social media influencers posing in fashionable “cat dad” threads, Hollywood celebs gushing about their purring babies on talk shows, or youth sports coaches who can’t stop sharing photos of Mr. Snuggles, cat dads are mainstream and they’re loud and proud.
Speaking personally, all of my partners, including my husband, love cats, and any man who doesn’t like cats would never be asked out on a second date.
My dad was a late bloomer as a cat dad, but made up for it later in life, and I believe it’s never too late to become a cat lover.
According to the American Pet Products Association, millennial men are even more likely to own cats than women, and there are a ton of popular “cat dad” social accounts, blogs, YouTubers and product lines targeted at this growing demographic.
This Father’s Day, celebrate the cat dads in your life!
Whether it’s your dad who raised you with a loving pet pal, your friend who can’t stop sharing goofy redheaded cat memes, or a distant relative who’s always posting about their cat tree building projects, shout out to the men who keep feline love alive and thriving in the modern age.
What’s your favorite “Cat Daddy” moment or tribute? Share it in the comments!
Every year I create a new cat dad card, like Decoding 5 Different Cat Dad Styles in Free Father’s Day Cards.
Cat dads deserve some extra love all year round, so check out our exclusive cat dad merchandise. Meow Magic
