13 Jobs With Cats for Cat Lovers You Can Do in 2026

Cats are beloved for their amusing behavior and make excellent pets. If you are a cat lover, you likely want to spend as much time with them as possible. Luckily, several professions allow you to work with cats. If that sounds like something that might interest you, keep reading for a list of several jobs for cat lovers that you can get.

The 13 Jobs With Cats for Cat Lovers

1. Veterinarian

This is one of the best jobs for cat lovers since you'll work with cats and other animals nearly every day. Your work as a veterinarian will also keep cats healthy and extend their lifespans, making it an incredibly important job.

2. Animal Shelter

Animal shelters frequently need help. Working at one allows you to be around cats daily, and you will often get to groom, feed, and socialize with them. At this job, you will also be providing essential care that can improve the cats’ health and overall well-being.

3. Veterinarian Assistant

A great way to work at a veterinarian's office without going to school to become a vet is to work as a veterinarian's assistant. Whether helping the doctor directly or serving customers at the front desk, you will be around plenty of cats daily.

4. Cat Sitter

Cat owners often have to leave their houses for one reason or another for more than 24 hours, and when they do, they need a pet sitter. With more than 46 million cat owners in the United States and counting,¹ there is a good chance that a cat-sitting job can be quite profitable, especially in a large town or city, and you will have constant access to felines.

5. Professional Cat Groomer

Becoming a professional cat groomer can be a rewarding career for a cat lover, and it doesn’t require as much training as becoming a veterinarian. Many pet owners are uncomfortable trimming their cat's nails or removing tangles and knots from the fur, especially in long-haired cats. They would welcome help from a friendly groomer, potentially leading to a lucrative business.

6. Feline Behaviorist

A fantastic job for someone interested in spending more time with cats is a feline behaviorist. Your work will be crucial for helping cats have a better quality of life by assisting pet parents in dealing with common issues like aggression and anxiety, which will help them create a more suitable environment.

7. Trainer

While few people seek out cat training, it can still be a rewarding career for a cat lover. Many owners need help with their troubled cats and could use tips on training, especially cats that were strays or came from an extended stay at the shelter. You can also train cats to handle traveling better, come when called, and do many other tricks that any cat owner would appreciate.

8. Cat Photographer

One way to be around happy cats all day is to be a cat photographer. Many people enjoy getting photos of their pets for special occasions and holidays, and it can be lucrative if you have the equipment. It also requires significantly less training to get started than some of the other career fields on this list.

9. Cat Café Owner

Becoming a cat café owner can easily be one of the best jobs on this list. Pet-friendly, especially cat-friendly, places to get coffee are becoming more popular, but they are still rare. Opening one in your area can be a great way to get people to bring their cats while they enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.

10. Cat Blogger

Cat blogging can be a great way to surround yourself with more cats without needing to take care of them yourself, and it doesn’t require much setup or training. You can discuss topics that allow you to talk to other cat owners and meet more cats, as everyone loves to talk about their pets.

11. Pet Store Employee

One of the easiest ways to get a job where you work with cats daily is to apply to your local pet stores. They frequently hire new people and often need help caring for the animals they sell, including cats. Working at a pet store is also a great way to gain experience that you can use in another field, like pet sitting or photography.

12. Toy Maker

If you are handy, making cat toys can be a pretty lucrative job that also enables you to spend plenty of time around cats. Many toys, like feather wands, are fairly easy to make, and pet owners are always looking for something that their cat will enjoy playing with. You can even set up small parties to sell your products.

13. Cat Playground Owner

If you have a large budget, you can consider purchasing or renting a building that you can turn into a cat park or playground. This takes the cat sitting to another level and lets you spend time with several cats. Many pet owners would welcome such a facility where they can let their cats get mental and physical stimulation while they do their chores.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Qualifications Do I Need to Work With Cats?

The qualifications you will need will depend on the job you are after. Technical jobs like becoming a veterinarian or animal behaviorist will require several years of formal education, while others, such as cat sitting, will only require you to be friendly and have experience with cats.

Some jobs, like cat photography, might require training in other fields to get ahead in the business.

Is It Possible to Make a Living Only Working With Cats?

Yes, many people, including veterinarians and specialized groomers, are making a living working with only cats. However, the amount of money you make will depend on your location and the demand for your services.

What’s the Best Way to Get Experience Working With Cats?

Volunteering at your local animal shelter is the best way to gain experience working with cats. Shelters are always looking for help, and you can socialize, groom, and care for the cats you find there. Cat sitting for friends is also a great way to gain experience, especially if you want to get into that field.

How Can I Find Job Openings in Cat-Related Fields?

You can find cat-related jobs by looking through online job search websites. Company websites may also list job openings, and you can find people looking for services like cat sitting on local and online bulletin boards.

Are There International Opportunities to Work With Cats?

There are several international opportunities for working with cats, especially in animal welfare and veterinary medicine. Setting up a cat café in a popular foreign tourist destination can also be a great way to work with cats internationally.

Conclusion

There are several jobs for cat lovers that will allow you to spend more time around your favorite animals. Cat sitting and cat blogging are jobs you can start doing immediately while you gain the skills to do more complex jobs like becoming an animal behaviorist or veterinarian. Volunteering at a local animal shelter is also a great way to get started immediately and help felines in need.

See Also: 

• Should I Bring My Cat to Work? Pros & Cons of Having Cats in the Workplace

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