Australian Cat Lovers
We Really Do Love Our Cats – Here’s How We Know
Are you a cat lover? Are you a cat owner? Has anyone ever called you a crazy cat person?
Let’s take the stereotypical “crazy cat person” and change this expression to what it really is – someone who is crazy in love with their cat or cats. Nothing wrong with that!
Research on cat owners
Research was conducted by Antenna research for Purina® Fancy Feast® to debunk the stereotypical cat lover and understand the crazy acts of love Australians do for their cat.
Here are some of the findings about us, cat lovers…
Australian cat owners are spending $873 million annually on caring for their cats
This includes all aspects of caring for cats including general care, vet fees, travel, treats, toys and accessories. A little bit of pampering never hurt a cat!
Almost one in four (23%) Australian cat owners spend more than $450 on caring for their cats every year. I know I’m one of them!
Almost half (46%) of all Australian cat owners have celebrated their cats’ birthday
I must admit, having rescue cats, I can never be sure of their birthdays, especially ones I have adopted as adults. But I never forget my cats at Christmas. Even if you cannot afford to buy your cat a present, you can always give them the boxes that your gifts come in. Cats love a box!
7 out of 10 cat owners talk to their cat
Not just talk to their cat but 71% of us talk to our feline friends as if they were human. Talking to your pets is normal in a healthy relationship and our pets probably understand more than we realise. Even if they don’t, they give us a listening ear and a non-judgemental acceptance, one of the many benefits of living with pets.
One in five (20%) of us meow back at their cat when they meow at us. This is the purpose of the cat’s meow – to get our attention. Especially that little solicitation purr or meow. the one with the upward inflection. We cannot resist that and when they meow at us, we pat them, we feed them, we love them.
How and why cats purr and meow
More than half of Australian cat owners admit that their cat completes them
Yes, 53% of us know that cats really are part of our family. In fact, one in ten (13%) love their cat more than their family or partner. This just proves that cats really have worked their way into our hearts and minds.
It’s ok if your cat is not your main life partner. We can love many people and animals within our family and friendship groups and in many different ways. And luckily for us, our cats probably even love us back!
Cats love us: 7 Signs of cat love and affection
Half of Aussie cat owners take photo of their cat at least once a week
Have you seen the number of cat photos on instagram, cat pages on facebook, cat videos on YouTube and cats themselves on twitter? I am surprised that it’s only half of us cat owners! If you could take a look at my phone – there are more cat photos on there than anything else!
One in 10 Australian cat owners share their bed with their cat
This one surprises me again. I though it would be more. If I share my bed with 2-3 cats every night, then why not everyone else?! My cats have a revolving night shift of sharing my bed. It tends to be first come, first served. Occasionally two have to tussle for the prime spot next to my chin but overall it’s peaceful, apart from Wildfire’s snores!
Almost one in five Australian cat owners admit to booking a cat-friendly hotel
So almost one in five (17%) Australian cat owners want to take their cat on holiday with them. I have to say that this is not something I normally do, as I think my cats like being at home. But I understand why travelling with your cat could be reassuring and fun!
Plus, I would love to stay in a hotel or accommodation that has resident cats. Then I might miss my own cats a little less.
So if you love your cat, this does not make you a crazy cat person. It makes you a person who is crazy in love with your cat.
So why is Fancy Feast® doing this research?
Fancy Feast®, in case you haven’t heard of them, is known for creating and crafting unique taste experiences for the cats of Australia to make mealtime moments even more special. Fancy Feast® is a brand of Purina and, as far as I’m concerned, their feline food sounds and looks so much nicer than anything I could ever create or bake at home!
Fancy Feast® would like to debunk the myth around the stereotypical profile the world has of crazy cat love. We are not crazy people! Instead we should celebrate Aussie cat lovers from all walks of life and how they express their love in extraordinary ways.
Check out the variety of recipes in the Fancy Feast® range.
What your cat wants you to know about their eating habits
What the cat lovers and cat experts say
Devoted cat owner and TV Presenter Sam Mac, is Fancy Feast® Ambassador and a former ‘catchelor’ i.e. cat batchelor!
And yours truly, Dr Jo Righetti, says…
And in case you were in doubt of how crazy in love with my cats, I am, take a look at my mask! Does it look a little like my cat Wildfire?!
Dr Jo Righetti is working with Purina Fancy Feast on this project, communicating the love between cats and their owners.
More interesting facts and fun about cats
- Taurine Deficiency In Cats and How To Take Care Of It
Taurine Deficiency In Cats and How To Take Care Of It Every cat owner needs to know the importance of taurine in their - Do Cats and Dogs like to Look at Us?Do cats and dogs like to look at us? We like to look into the faces of our pets but do cats and
- Australian Cat Lovers – We really do Love Our Cats – Here’s How we knowAustralian Cat Lovers We Really Do Love Our Cats – Here’s How We Know Are you a cat lover? Are you a cat
- Does my cat love me? 7 Signs of cat love and affectionDoes My Cat Love Me? 7 Signs of Cat Love and Affection “Does my cat love me?” A question every cat owner asks
- Cats and litter: 7 Cat Litter Box RulesCats and litter: 7 Cat Litter Box Rules and the Best Cat Litter What type of cat litter does your cat prefer to
- What Pets Can Teach Us About HappinessWhat pets can teach us about happiness Are you happy? Is your pet happy? And just what is happiness? The Oxford English Dictionary
- 9 Surprising Things you May Learn About Your Pets While in Social Isolation9 Surprising Things You May Learn About Your Pets While in Social Isolation You are never alone when you have a pet. During
- Coronavirus Isolation With Pets: 7 Healthy/ Indulgent Activities to Do TogetherCoronavirus Isolation with Pets: 7 Healthy/ Indulgent Activities to Do Together Isolation can be tough but when you have pets, you are never
- Psychiatric disorders and pets: Can Exposure to pets when young influence schizophrenia and bipolar diagnosis?Psychiatric disorders and pets: Can exposure to pets when young influence schizophrenia and bipolar diagnosis? Pets are good for us. They help us
