American culture has distinguished ‘cat men’ as less masculine…

You know the somewhat cliched trope that says men with dogs have an easier time getting a woman’s phone number? Well, research has proven several times over that it’s actually true. New research from Colorado State University indicates cat dads do not hold the same attraction, at least not for college-aged women.

“This study found that college-age women viewing a photo of a man alone versus a photo of the same man holding a cat rated the man holding the cat as less masculine; higher on neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness; and ultimately, less datable in the short or long term,” write the study’s authors Lori Kogan and Shelly Volsche.

The results, they say, suggest that “American culture has distinguished ‘cat men’ as less masculine, perhaps creating a cultural preference for ‘dog men’ among most heterosexual women in the studied age group.”

Study Details

For the study (conducted January 2020), 1,388 women between the ages of 18 and 24, were asked to look at two photos of a man in his early 20s. In one, he is sitting by himself; in the other, he is holding a cat. (Two men were used for the study, with the women randomly getting Male 1 or Male.)

The women rated the man as less dateable, both in the short and long term, when he was holding the cat. They also rated him as less masculine, more introverted and higher on neuroticism.

On the plus side, they said he came across as more agreeable and open when holding a cat versus being alone.

Self-Identified Dog People More Turned Off

Whether the women surveyed identified as a “dog” or “cat” person had a significant bearing on their responses. Only women who identified as a “cat person” found the man more desirable in the photos where he was holding the cat.

Do You Agree, Are Cat Dads Less Attractive?

Take a look at the photos below? What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below what you think of these two guys in particular? What about overall? Are cat dads less attractive than dog dads? Stop by our Twitter poll and vote!