Why Do Queer People Love Their Fur Babies? We Asked the LGBTQ+ Community Themselves

Lesbians with their cats, gay men with tiny dogs; just one look at the queer community it’s not hard to see why the stereotype exists that we love our pets even more than the straights. Which makes sense! Not only can fur babies help you find a stronger mental health balance and make you feel safer on your own (especially if you’re the owner of a chihuahua) but they can be your chosen family – accepting you exactly as you are and loving you with no exception.

To find out just how much the LGBTQ+ community is obsessed with their fur babies, we chatted to a handful of queer individuals about how their pets have made their lives a whole lot brighter. 

Ben, Gus, Bosun and Spaghetti

“All of my fur babies have helped me in different ways. My cat, Gus, was very much there for me during my teen years. One time I was sent home from school because of my anxiety (this was when my gender and sexuality issues were at their height) and before my mum went back to work she told me not to do anything stupid. As soon as she left, my first thought was I was going to go upstairs and k**l myself. Gus immediately came and sat on my lap and didn't leave until someone else came home – he literally saved my life."

“My other baby is my dog, Bosun. He’s always been quite scared of strangers so when I was transitioning I was worried about how he would react. But he was absolutely brilliant and loves my partner so much. I’ve also had a rat called Spaghetti and we used to watch Extreme Couponers on YouTube together and share my advent calendar chocolate."

“I think animals just don’t care who you are – they don’t have that human capacity to understand or judge you and the only thing they know is love. They’re so in tune with us and I think this is especially important for LGBTQ+ people in a world where it’s really hard to be ourselves.”

Oliver, Seymour and Aragon

“My two cats, Seymour and Aragon, mean the world to me – yes, they are named after Henry VIII’s wives! They have a throne, which is actually my wheelchair, but they think it’s theirs; Seymour loves to sit on my lap and get a ride around the flat... They especially help me when I am home alone because they snuggle close or make me chuckle with their antics! Whenever visiting professionals come over to my house, Aragon will also get into their bags when I’m not looking.”

Rye and Lola

“I adopted my sweet girl Lola from a fellow queer during the pandemic when they were moving down to London and couldn't take her. I live alone and she was excellent company during lockdowns and shielding. People talk about furbabies, but I adopted her when she was about 6 and an incredibly intelligent adult cat – so she's more like a low-maintenance fluffy housemate than anything else!"

“We've both worked hard to learn and respect each others' communication styles, and learned to trust each other deeply. She's patient and attentive with me when I'm having a hard time, and she's better at communicating her needs than I am - truly, an inspiration and an icon!”

Melissa, Mogi, Sooty and Spyro

“I’ve had cats my whole life, and always felt a kind of warm companionship, acceptance and trust from them I’ve never properly found in humans. They’ve helped me see myself as wanted, loved and capable when life cashed out all my self esteem. When my first own cat, Mogi, passed at only 3 years old, it shocked me how many of my fantasies of the future died with him. He’d been the only companion I needed by my side as I tackled life."

“Two other cats, Sooty and Spyro, have also passed recently after being part of my family since childhood. Sooty was particular, fastidiously clean and dainty as a dancer! Spyro was a constant comfort, wanting always to be as close to your face as possible and seeing himself as no lesser part of the household than any other. I don’t have any pets at the minute, but having loved and lost has taught me that they bring a warmth and softness into your life that nothing else can compare to.”

Lar, Bee and Finn

“Bee and Finn have always felt like my biggest supporters. Bee is waiting by the door for me whenever I get home and Finn is never too far behind her. Since realising I was Non-Binary at 25, moments of dysphoria and uncertainty about how to move forward with my transition have felt totally paralysing at times. Through periods of depression and struggling to get out to see friends, I would have become totally isolated – luckily for me, I've always had a small cat or two in my lap, like a living, breathing, weighted blanket."

“Stroking them can magically bring me back to reality, when my worries would otherwise consume me. I honestly don't know many things that can't be improved by scratching the chin of a very tiny sleeping cat! They both have been my endless supply of love, laughter and comfort, and I don't know where I'd be without them.”

• 7 out of 10 LGBTQ+ adults own pets.

• Child-free queer households are significantly more likely than child-free heterosexual households to have pets.

• Lesbians are twice more likely than gay men to own a pet – there’s even an Instagram account dedicated to dogs and their dykes .

• Those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans are most likely to rescue animals from shelters.

• 59% of older LGBTQ+ individuals asked in a study say pets are integral members of their families.

At Rainbow & Co, we know how much love you have for your fur babies. That’s why we’ve made sure to include them in many of our LGBTQ+ accessories. If you've an idea you'd like to see for a pet-themed design then get in touch on info@rainbowandco.uk