How can anyone not love cats? My investigations to uncover the hidden prejudices which keeps cats out of loving homes continues.

I know North American society has some conception that cats are a “feminine” pet. So I’m always glad to let the male Cat Appreciators tell their side.

One of my readers wanted to share their experiences as a Man With a Cat.

How did you discover cats?

My grandparents had outdoor cats when I was growing up, a big relaxed orange fellow who was always fighting with raccoons, and a skittish but lovely calico lady. I was always so proud of myself when I could coax her into letting me pet her.

However, my family never really had the means to keep a pet, let alone a pet of that size. Years later, I find myself graduated from university, with a lovely partner who very much would like a cat in our apartment. I was skeptical; I wasn’t sure that I would want to deal with the extra responsibility. However, we went to the Paws Cat City animal shelter (here’s a link, they deserve all the good press they can get) and spent two hours there, playing with the cats and trying to find the perfect one. We ended up bringing home a very quiet fellow, about a year old, who followed us around the whole time while we played with the other cats.

Did you have any misconceptions about cats, and have they been dispelled?

Well, the misconception that they’re quiet went first. Even the shy fellow we thought was quiet turned out to be a dreadful if adorable liar. Other than that, I don’t know that there was anything that came completely out of left field.

What about your profession or lifestyle brings out the advantages of cats? The disadvantages?

Well, I’m an a/v and event management professional, so my hours are extremely irregular. It’s nice having a pet who is willing to hang out with me no matter whether I’m being active at three in the morning or three in the afternoon. And of course, living in an apartment in a city means that I’d be limited in other pet options, but I’m not much for dogs anyway.

As for disadvantages… Well, no matter what your lifestyle or profession, scooping the box probably isn’t something that your grade school self imagined your future professional self doing with a great deal of enthusiasm, is it?

Do you think there’s a view in North American culture about cats as pets, and does this have any impact on your being a man with a cat?

Ha! Not really, out here in Seattle. I mean, every now and then you read an article in the New York Times about how, oh my goodness, here’s a man with his cat! And guess what? He’s straight! Look at this straight man with his straight man’s cat!

You’d think I’m joking, but I read that article a few months ago. And if perhaps those were not the exact words in the article, I actually think I captured the gist of it quite well.

Anyway. The popular image of masculinity in Seattle seems to allow for a man to own a cat without too many raised eyebrows. We also consider flannel shirts ironic. You win some, you lose some.

Have you ever encountered any prejudice or surprise as a male cat person? If so, how did you respond?

People are about as surprised to hear that I have a cat as they are to hear I’m Canadian, or play tabletop roleplaying games. Their eyes widen for a moment before they remember to be polite, they admit ignorance on the subject, I tell them some interesting factoid about the subject in question, and then we move on. It’s much like any other awkward moment at a party when you realize your preconception of someone doesn’t quite fit.

Any counsel to share with other male cat people?

Nothing wrong with being a crazy cat man. Baby talk your cat and snuggle your face in their fur just like you always would, no matter who’s around. Them watching you doesn’t make you any more ridiculous than you already were.

A big thanks to Kershach’s person for sharing.

He’s right. We should always “hug our cat like no one’s watching.”

Even if we aren’t near Seattle, do click on the link Paws Cat City. This looks like a wonderful shelter, who lets cats live in a semblance of a home, and lets potential adopters interact… while, as in this case, the cat chooses them.

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There’s more to The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my LATEST CAT ADVICE.