40 Times Dads Said They Didn’t Want Pets But Got Totally Smitten

We’ve all heard the classic family story: “Dad said no pets in the house.” But then, not too long after, Dad is the one sneaking treats under the table, taking long naps with the new furry family member, or even creating a secret nickname for them.

That’s exactly the kind of heartwarming transformation celebrated on the subreddit r/dadswhodidnotwantpets. This wholesome corner of the internet is dedicated to dads who insisted they didn’t want a dog, cat, or any other animal, only to become their biggest fans once the pet arrived. So, here are some of the most adorable, funny, and touching times dads went from “absolutely not” to “can’t live without them.” These moments will make you smile, laugh, and maybe even tear up a little.

#1 He Proclaimed That Cats Just “Aren’t As Friendly As Dogs”. Now They Eat Vanilla Ice Cream Together Like Absolute Soulmates

Image source: entirelyunimportant

#2 Dad: We Are Not Feeding That Feral Cat. Also Dad: I Set Up A Heated Cat House In The Backward And Put A Camera So We Can Make Sure She’s Home Safe Every Night

Image source: Missburr

#3 Dad Went From “You’re Taking Him With You When You Leave.” To “Are You Really Gonna Take Him With You??”

Image source: DragonpaladinAlaine

#4 Dad Now Asks Me To Bring The Cats (Which He Told Me Not To Adopt) Every Time I Visit

Image source: Dizzy_Journalist4486

#5 He Said He Didn’t Want Me To Foster Because He Didn’t Want Me To Get Attached. Guess Who Is Ooey Gooey Over Them And Wants To Keep All 3 Now?

Image source: imasauceygirl

#6 Hubs Was Never A Cat Person. Now He Tells Me How They Individually Like To Be Pet, And They All Behave And Don’t Fight When Sitting By Daddy. I Don’t Know Who Trained Who

Image source: OllyPolly

#7 Caught Him Hugging The Giant Dog He Didn’t Want, He Was Also Singing The Dog His Own Personal Song

Image source: mischkazelenyy

#8 My Dad, Circa 3 Weeks Ago: “We Are Not Using My Bathroom As A Maternity Ward For The Pregnant Stray You Decided To Bring In”

Image source: crazycatnerd

#9 I Got Mad At My Wife For Bringing Home A Kitten. He’s My Son Now

Image source: Flamingweedle

#10 I Saw This Online, I Hope It’s Not A Repost

Image source: Spiffydude89

#11 He Never Wanted A Dog. Four Days After They Met, She Helped Him To Recover From A Stroke

Image source: DreamersEyesOpen

#12 “I Will Not Be Raising That Dog” ;)

Image source: Parmigiano_Reggiano0

#13 Found This Picture On Twitter And Thought It Was Precious (Not Mine!)

Image source: Far-Matter4792

#14 My Husband “Doesn’t Like Cats” And Refused To Let Me Get A Kitty For The Longest Time

Image source: kipperkins

He now gives the kitten a dab of cream cheese every morning and naps with him on the couch… but maintains that he doesn’t like the little dude.

#15 “He’s Only Going To Be In The Way, I’ll Step On Him”

Image source: llaisney

#16 “We Are Never Getting A Cat.” -My Husband

Image source: kariiann

#17 He Still Calls Him “Stupid Cat”

Image source: ned883

#18 It Took Years To Convince My Dad To Get Us A Dog But Here He Is Kissing My Dog’s Foot After He Hurt It Chasing A Rabbit

Image source: elisebuck

#19 My Dad Complains That Remus Lays In His Lap Anytime He Sits Down. This Is The Smile I Got After Saying How Jealous I Am

Image source: pootykitten

#20 Boyfriend Didn’t Want A Kitten. He Relented During Quarantine Because He Was An Essential Worker And I Was Alone By Myself Most Days. Now They’re Cuddle Buddies

Image source: EJtheChosenOne

#21 He Was A Firm Opponent Of The Hairless Cat But Skin To Skin Is The Best Way To Connect

Image source: literallyironic11

#22 “The Only Good Use For A Cat Is To Make A Comfy Pair Of Slippers” -My Dad

Image source: ksparklepantz

#23 My Dad: Can We Return It???

Image source: grapefruitmaven

IF WE KEEP IT, IT CAN’T GO ON THE FURNITURE AND I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. My dad, out loud, mere days later: “Let’s move this pillow to give you more room. Are you comfy? Do you want some pets? Let’s read together.”

#24 My Husband, The Life Long Cat Hater

Image source: southernfriedcrazy

He found Crookshanks abandoned on a job and offered some token resistance when I wanted to bring him home. Six months in and while they’ve been tight since day 1, he often remarks that Crook is the weirdest dog he’s ever had.

#25 Not The Funniest, But Definitely The Sweetest

Image source: therealmissfrizzle

My dad said no dogs ever again after our last one passed several years ago. My mom has always wanted a dachshund, but they both agreed to wait until retirement. But he recently realized that “life is too short not to try to make her smile every day.”

#26 I Wasn’t Keen On Getting Cats ( I Can’t Even Pet Them), I Now Watch Videos For Cats With Luna At Least Once A Day

Image source: SmyleGuy

#27 My Dad And His Grandcat

Image source: DiscoAgent13

#28 No Matter How Much I Begged, My Dad Never Let Me Have A Pet When I Was Younger

Image source: reddit.com

This is him dragging my cat in a box (which he named the “Kitty Express”) while making train noises, and laughing like a child.

#29 Tombstone My Dad Bought For The Cat He Didn’t Want

Image source: kierkegaardenia

#30 Dad Didn’t Want Kissems. Naturally, Kissems Loves Dad The Most

Image source: platonicnut

#31 That Was Quick For The Guy Who Said He Wasn’t A Cat Person And Has Not Ever Liked Them

Image source: MamaTexTex

#32 My Mom Texted Me This Photo Today. Before You Ask – Yes, He Made This For Himself

Image source: nadineleee

#33 This Is My Dad Who Didn’t Want One Dog Let Alone 2 And Most Certainly Did Not Want A Cat!

Image source: snowdropx

#34 I Went To Canada For A Week And Received This Text From My Dad

Image source: Lost-Ad-7412

#35 “If That Dog Enters Our Home, I’m Moving Out” -Defeated Persian Dad

Image source: Chotuchigg

#36 I Don’t Want A Kitten. He’ll Destroy The Sofa

Image source: Ice_Ice_Goose

#37 Update, Over A Year After Dad Finally Said Ok To Our (His) Cat, Here Is Big Mechanic Dad Enjoying The Fall Fire With His Little Boy

Image source: kerrycooper

#38 My Dad Regularly Sends Me Messages Like This