Dads with cats
More men are adopting cats and spending big money on them.
Cats are ignoring more people than ever. More than 53 million U.S. households owned a cat in 2025, nearly four in 10 households, a 5% increase over 2024, according to the American Pet Products Association.
Cat ownership has now caught up with dog ownership in the United States, thanks largely to two groups: Gen Z and cat dads.
Both are adopting cats for companionship, emotional support and mental-health benefits. Studies have shown that owning a cat can reduce stress and lower blood pressure, which is impressive for an animal that regularly knocks things off shelves while making direct eye contact.
Men now account for 43% of U.S. cat owners, making cat dads a significant and influential consumer group. The idea that a man can own a cat is also becoming more accepted.
Cat dads tend to devote a larger share of their pet budgets to products than female owners do. They are also increasingly buying premium food and specialized nutrition.
The cats would be thankful if they cared.
