40% of Gen Z and Millennials say ‘cat dads’ are the ultimate green flag in dating — thanks to one surprising personality trait

Nearly one in three male cat owners admitted their that pets have improved their dating experiences.

PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO

Couple with their pet cat. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Caia Image)

Cat ownership in the UK is quietly changing the way people think about dating and relationships. Male cat owners, often called 'cat dads,' are becoming increasingly noticed, not just for having feline companions but for the traits they reveal through pet care. Younger generations are particularly drawn to men who share their lives with cats, seeing them as more appealing than ever. This trend reflects a broader shift in culture, where men’s relationships with pets also hint at subtle qualities that attract potential partners. So, men with cats have been in the spotlight since the study released on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, confirming how much cat ownership is influencing modern dating.

A man and his cat (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Yuliya kota) — A man and his cat. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Yuliya kota)

As reported by the Daily Star on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, male cat owners say having a cat can boost their love lives, and the numbers seem to back it up. According to the recent research by pet company Mars, more than one in three male cat owners, about 36%, admitted that their feline friends had improved their dating experiences. About 30% of Brits said they would be more interested in dating a man who owns a cat, and almost 40% said men appeared more attractive when they featured their cat in a dating profile picture. Younger singletons are even more drawn to “cat dads,” with 41% of Gen Z and 40% of Millennials saying they find men with cats appealing. Across the UK, nearly half of adults see cat ownership as a positive personality trait, and around a third feel that men who own cats are more likely to be walking "green flags," due to their empathetic nature.

A young couple holding a cat (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Vlada Karpovich) — A young couple holding a cat. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Vlada Karpovich)

The study also revealed that the 'cat dad' phenomenon goes beyond online attraction. Dr. Scott McGrane, senior research manager at Mars, Incorporated, which commissioned the study surveying 2,000 UK residents, explained, “It’s clear that the human-animal bond is deepening, evolving into relationships defined by emotional support, connection, and care. Cat Dads are a wonderful example of this shift.” Over half of cat owners said they often prefer spending time with their cat than with people, and four in ten admitted they would rather stay in with their pet than go on a night out, as per the Gazette & Herald. This shows that while cat dads may attract attention, they also value the emotional comfort their cats provide, a quality increasingly recognized in modern dating.

A man and his cat | (Image Source: Pexels | Preillumination SeTh) — A man and his cat. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Preillumination SeTh)

Cultural attitudes toward male cat owners are clearly changing. Nearly half of male cat owners now proudly embrace the cat dad label, signaling a shift away from the old “Cat Lady” stereotype. Brits describe male cat owners as caring, responsible, sensitive, and emotionally intelligent. Hala Sinno, Brand Director at Mars, said, “Cat dads are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight, and we absolutely love seeing it unfold. From providing a little extra charm in the dating world to boosting wellbeing, life is simply more fun with a cat.” With pet ownership growing more evenly split between men and women, the study suggests that cat dads are not only climbing the dating wish list but also reshaping perceptions about empathy, care, and emotional connection in the UK.