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Single men reckon owning a cat takes the pressure off having to find a partner, according to research.
A study into the rise of a new generation of male singletons dubbed ‘Cat-chelors’ – single men who feel content with the company of a feline - revealed a string of benefits.
Of the cat-chelors surveyed, around one in four think their moggy has taken the pressure off being single, as they are good company in lieu of a partner.
Another 29 per cent like having their cat around as they are 'good to talk to', and one in two believe their pet helps 'keep them calm'.
One in 10 even went as far to say their cat offered 'counsel' through an emotional break-up.
Jonny Gould, CEO for pet wellbeing firm Itchpet.com, which commissioned the study, said: “The news comes as a blow for man’s best friend, with a quarter of single men going as far as to say cats are on their way to usurping dogs from their throne.
“Our feline friends can often come up against a bit of stick for being independent and aloof, so it’s great to shine a compassionate light on how the nation’s cats are taking care of us.
“Cats can offer great emotional support, so it’s only fair that we take care of them in return."
The study also found that worse still for dogs, more than one third of the single men polled who own a cat said purchasing one was the best thing they had ever done.
One in four think their furry partner helps them to come across as a more loving person, and one in six believe their cat has helped them get more dates.
It also emerged the feline effect can sometimes pose challenges with one in five cat- owning single men having to cut a date short when it became clear their potential partner wasn’t a moggy-lover.
More than a third of single cat owners are also put off by the nitty-gritty aspects of cat ownership, like emptying the litter tray and giving flea and worming treatments.
Despite the squeamishness, nine in 10 believe their cat has a good quality of life living with them, and 76 per cent take their cat to the vets at least once a year for a check-up.
Confirmed cat-chelor and journalist Basil Kronfli, 34, of London said: "We've always been told that dogs are man's best friend.
''But I reckon cats make way better companions for single professionals, especially if you have to travel with work like I do.
“Jasper and Max do their business outside, don't need daily walks, and we operate on a need-to-stroke basis, when they need strokes or scratches, I drop everything and deliver.
“The rest of the time, they're busy catting like pros and I can crack on with work or play – purrrfection.”
Gould added: “For millennia, cats have been revered as everything from divine beings and supernatural sprites to internet sensations.
“As well as reigning the internet, our study has uncovered yet another string to our feline’s bow – emotional and friendly support for the single men of Britain.
''From our research, it’s great to see that so many of our cat-chelors are taking their pets to the vet regularly, however only 23 per cent are flea-ing every month, leaving our furry pals at risk.
“Fleas are a nightmare for our pets. The Itch flea monthly subscription pack makes it really easy to protect your pet so you never forget a treatment ever again.”
The study also polled the views of cat-free single men to see how they view their moggy-male counterparts.
One in five single men believe owning a cat would have a positive impact on their romantic lives.
Three in 10 think potential dates believe men who have a soft spot for animals are more attractive.
And one in five single men believe would-be partners perceive men who own a cat as more caring and compassionate.
The study was commissioned by Itchpet.com between 26/06/19 and 10/07/19 among 1,000 single UK men, conducted by One Poll.
* How to keep your feline feeling fine this summer according to vet Zoe Costigan BVSc BSc(hons) CertAVP MRCVS
- Make sure your cat has access to clean water at all times. Cats instinctively prefer to drink away from their food, so placing water bowls in different places can encourage them to drink more. Indoor cat water fountains also go down well as they like running water.
- Groom your cat regularly. Removal of built up hair will help to keep them cooler.
- Fleas are a problem throughout the year, but especially bad over summer. I’ve seen so many animals suffer because they weren’t treated. That’s why I love the Itch personal protection pack subscription and app. It makes it so easy to protect and the first month is even free.
- On hot days, let your cat outside during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening. Hairless and white cats are especially prone to sunburn on areas such as the base of ears and nose which can lead to skin cancer in later life, so applying pet-approved sunscreen is advisable.
- Cat’s paws are sensitive, be careful of hot pavements and roads over summer. If you can’t touch the ground for five seconds with the back of your hand, it’s too hot for your pet to walk on
- Keep rooms well-ventilated. Pet cooling mats are also a great option for hot cats to chill out in the summer months.
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