15 signs you are a purrrfectly crazy #CatDad

With an estimated 11.1 million cats currently living as pets in the UK and 25% of us owning one or more - moggies are, without doubt, here to stay. The UK cat population far outstrips dogs by 2.2 million. Cats have made the internet big. Fact. There is no surprise in learning that photos and videos of our fabulous feline friends are one of the biggest types of digital content.  The hashtag #CatDad has now been used well-over half a million times on Instagram alone.  So, how do you know if you have Cat Dad kudos and are becoming, or have already become a crazy cat dad?...

1.     Birthdays and Christmas – not only do you include your kitty on your gift list, you have been known to wrap their presents and buy them celebratory surprises for special occasions.

2.     Kitty Love – you send your partner greetings cards from the cats. And refer to them as ‘Daddy’ in the third person when talking to you kitty.

3.     Age Knows No Bounds – you have worked out and, with strong conviction, know your cat’s age in feline years (to the exact age equivalent in human years). The maths is: 24 cat years for the first two human years and then +4 cat years for each calendar year thereafter. Or +1 cat year for every quarter of a human year.

4.     Move Over Darling – your cat has priority boarding directly onto and into your bed. You often wake up in a peculiar position to avoid knocking into or waking up your feline bed fellow.

5.     Feline Furniture – your cat has specially dedicated furniture in your home. Human furniture but only for your cats!

6.     Cat Foodie – you purchase human food items specifically for your cat – despite them not being for cats. King prawns, fresh fish, lactose-free cream and cheese, steak, chicken breasts, lobster, the list goes on. There will be special items in your freezer for your cats too.

7.     Storage – you have dedicated at least one entire kitchen drawer, or cupboard, for your cat’s selection of bowls, paraphernalia and assorted treats.

8.     Cat Chat – FaceTime was invented for cats right?

9.     Pleasantries – you say ‘bye’ to your cat when you leave the house and have been known to ask him/her how their day was upon your return.

10.  Understanding - you firmly believe your cat can understand you when you talk to them and that they talk back to you. 

11.  Nicknames and Funny Voices – because one name is never enough, your kitty has a list of alternative names. These are often delivered in one of those high-pitched voices, that are usually the preserve of parents and usually to your distain. But ‘Cheeky Chooo Chooo Baby Boooo Booooo’ is quite acceptable.

12.  Snap Happy – there are more cat photos on your mobile than snaps of anything or anyone else. In fact, you prefer your cat to most of the humans in your life. Oh and your cat has their own Instagram account.

13.  Feline Family – you refer to family members in the context of them being related to your feline ‘child’. “Yes Lulu, Nanny Wendy is coming for Sunday lunch.”

14.  My Cat…  - you will never miss an opportunity to talk about your cat - especially when dog people start talking about their dogs.

15.  Books – you own more than one ‘cat book’, usually more than three. Fact or fiction, it doesn’t matter and they take pride of place on your bookshelf.

I am the proud #CatDad to Mr Ozwald, a 13yr old three-legged tuxedo moggie and his super sassy wifey Miss Lulu a 7yr old Siamese-cross.  I’m sure there are more than 15x indicators to Crazy Cat Dad status, what have I missed off my list?