Do you know how to spot a pet owner? I may be a cat mom of two, but I've never really given much thought to whether or not I exude ‘kitty owner’ vibes – until now, that is!
I started to ponder whether there are any particular things we pet owners do that signal to the rest of the world that we have a fur friend or two in our family. And it turns out, there are more tells than I thought there would be.
From going to grab our wallet out of our pocket only to have one of the best long lasting dog chews fall out onto the floor to having to flick through a million cat photos on our phone before we get to a single image of a human, here are some easy ways you can spot a pet owner...
1. Their shopping cart has more pet food in it than human food
Whether it's overflowing with the best cat food, dog food – or both! – a pet owner's shopping cart is always a dead giveaway that they have a fur friend or two at home. In fact, more often than not, there's more pet food and treats in their cart than there is human food.
2. They never go on a walk without a handful of poop bags
When it comes to one of the easiest ways to be a responsible dog owner, picking up after your pup is definitely top of the list. If you notice someone out walking with a poop bag or two in their hand, you can guarantee there dog isn't too far away.
3. Talking in a baby voice
If you hear someone talking in a baby voice, it's easy to assume they have a child with them – but don't be so sure about that. Pet owners are notorious for speaking to their fur friends using the sort of voice we'd speak to a baby in and we have no idea why we do it, perhaps it's because our dogs and cats are just so darn lovable and cute.
4. Furniture that's chewed and scratched
Have you ever sat down on someone's couch only to notice that the corners have been completely torn to shreds? Chances are there's a mischievous little kitty lurking close by. Trying to figure out how to keep cats from scratching furniture is at the top of most cat owner's lists, but we usually only find the answer long after the damage has been done!
5. Agonizing over which toy to buy
Whether they're spending ages trying to decide between two of the best cat toys or agonizing over which of the best dog toys their canine companion would like, it's easy to spot a pet owner by the amount of time and energy they put into choosing playthings for their beloved bundle of fluff.
6. They love animals more than humans
Do you know someone who loves animals more than they seem to love humans? Chances are they're a pet owner. It's not unusual for people to prefer pets to other people, perhaps it's because animals are so loving, accepting and non-judgemental.
7. Wearing matching clothing
When it comes to ways to bond with your cat or dog, nothing beats coordinating outfits! While not all pet owners will do this, some people love nothing more than dressing their fur friend in an outfit that matches theirs.
8. Paw marks on their jeans
Trying to keep your clothes clean when you have a fur friend in the house is close to impossible. If you pass someone on the street with paw marks on their jeans or trousers, chances are they have their dog or cat to thank for those!
9. Treats stashed in their pockets
Whether it's a bag of the best dog treats or a few loose cat treats, a pet parent's pockets almost always contain a tasty tidbit to reward their fur friend for good behavior.
10. You see them lurking in the bushes...and then thankfully spot their dog
Have you ever had that experience of being out for a walk and suddenly a rustling noise alerts you to the fact someone is hanging about in the trees or bushes? You're not alone. For a minute your heart starts beating super fast until a dog zooms out and you breathe a sigh of relief when you realize that noise was just their owner looking for them.
11. They have scratch marks on them
Particularly common amongst cat owners, arms and legs covered in scratch marks is just one of the downsides of having a feline friend in the family. While it can be easy to think it's a sign of an aggressive kitty, more often than not those marks are the result of accidentally getting between your cat and whatever game they happen to be playing!
12. Clothing that's covered in fur
While the are certainly cats and dogs that hardly shed, even light shedding pets will moult twice a year – and don't even get us started on heavy shedders. If you notice someone's clothing is covered in fur, chances are they're a pet owner.
13. They have a pet in their stroller instead of a child
When you see someone pushing a stroller, you automatically assume that you're going to peek inside and see a baby or small child. But these days, you're just as likely to find a dog or a cat being taken for their daily walk.
14. A phone full of pet photos
Have you ever asked to see photos of someone's family only for them to have scroll through a million images of their fur baby before they can find any? One easy way to spot a pet owner is to simply take a look at their phone, chances are their image gallery will be filled with sweet snaps of their dog or cat.
15. Their pets comfort is more important than their own
Pet parents almost always put their pet's comfort ahead of their own. That often means sleeping on the couch so they can be near their fur friend when they're recovering from surgery, carting around one of the heaviest and best cat carriers on the market because they want their feline friend to be able to stretch out, pushing their dog in a stroller or hiking with a cat in one of the best cat backpacks.
16. Muddy clothing
Regardless of whether it's rain, hail or shine, a dog owner will always be out there braving the elements to ensure their pup gets the physical exercise they need to stay happy and healthy. This often means they'll end up wet or covered in mud, so if you see someone looking a little worse for wear, chances are their dog is not too far away.
17. Their pets run their social life
Whether it's their dog giving them those irresistible puppy dog eyes or their cat feeling under the weather, a pet owner is almost always willing to cancel their plans for their beloved bundle of fluff.
18. They video chat with their fur friend while they're on vacation
Going on vacation without your pet is hard for a lot of people, especially if they're super close to their fur friend. If you see someone lounging by the pool chatting to a dog or enjoying the sights of a new city while FaceTiming with a cat, chances are they're a pet owner.
19. They've read more articles and books on pets than they did textbooks in college
People with pets tend to be very well-read. Well, at least when it comes to all things related to their fur friend! From researching dog travel sickness before they go on vacation to getting to grips with the most common illnesses in cats, pet parents are usually super diligent when it comes to their fur friend's health and wellbeing.
20. Their pet has an Instagram account
Let's be honest – almost all of the best social media accounts are ones that feature pets doing adorable things. We often discover that a person is a pet owner when they show us the Instagram page devoted to their beloved bundle of fluff. And we thank them for this because there's something so soothing about looking at all those sweet faces.
21. You've been invited to their pets birthday party
An acquaintance invites you to Baylee's birthday party and you think to yourself, why not? So you turn up with a present you think a six-year-old girl would like only to find yourself greeted at the door by a chihuahua wearing a party heart. Parties for pets are definitely a thing these days!
22. They're always talking about the latest animal movie
From Marley & Me and Beethoven to Homeward Bound and Cats & Dogs, if your new human friend can't stop talking about films featuring animals, it's almost guaranteed that they're a pet owner.
23. They act super cutesy
Conversations with pet owners can be downright hilarious. Not only because many people give their pets human names (which can make it hard to figure out if they're talking about a pet or a person) but they also tend to give them a bunch of nicknames, too. In fact, most dog and cat owners have more names for their fur friends than they do for their partners or children.
24. Their social media pages are littered with pet stuff
Does your friend only like or follow pet accounts? Are their own social media pages filled with cute images of animals? When it comes to our favorite ways to spot a pet owner, what's going on across their social media accounts is usually a dead giveaway.
25. They talk about their pet. All. The. Time
Yes, we know – your little one is super cute. And absolutely, we completely understand how proud you are that they've learned how to use their microchip cat flap. And of course, we want to hear the long version of how you managed to find Fido when he ran off in hot pursuit of a squirrel on a recent walk. Pet owners love talking about their fur friends, and we thank all you non-pet owners out there for putting up with us!
26. You notice them stopping to talk to every animal they see
Us pet owners just can't help it – we feel compelled to stop and say hello to neighborhood cats and dogs enjoying their daily walk whenever we're out and about. Even if someone doesn't have a pet with them at the time, if they're talking to other animals, chances are they have one at home.
27. Regularly checking their phone
Whether their canine companion is having their latest round of puppy shots or their feline friend has just had surgery, you'll often find a pet owner wearing a concerned expression as they check their phone to see if there's any word on how their fur baby is doing.
28. They sign cards from their pet
"Merry Christmas and lots of love from Mom, Dad, Pickles, and Meatball." Sound familiar? Most pet owners are easy to spot around the holidays because they'll almost always sign their pet's name on a card alongside their own.
29. Their pet dictates their vacation choices
There are so many reasons to take your pet on vacation with you – for starters, it's a whole lot more fun. But sometimes it's easy to let your choice of destination be dictated by the needs of your dog or cat. Is the hotel pet-friendly? Are there plenty of great walks in the area? Does the restaurant you want to visit allow dogs? Traveling with pets can be a great experience, but it can narrow down your options. If you know somebody who goes to the same vacation spot every year, there may well be a pet involved.
30. They'll quiz you on a date
"What are your thoughts on fur on the floor?"
"How do you feel about being licked?"
"Would you mind if there were scratch marks on the couch?"
If you find yourself on a date with someone who's asking some seemingly strange questions, it may just be a pet owner trying to gauge whether or not you'll bond with their fur baby.
31. Customized apparel
Have you ever been to someone's house and been served your coffee in a mug with a dog's face on it? Or noticed a colleague at work sporting a tattoo of a cat? Definitely both pet owners.
32. They're attached to strange things
That old toy their cat loved, the first dog leash their pup wore, the bed they adored so much they chewed it to pieces – pet owners get very attached to the things their dogs and cats love and find it hard to throw anything away.
