Nights when I couldn't laugh at the words, "That's a genre where you'll never starve"—Why I, a cat writer, "still" write about cats

I want to do work that involves writing about the creatures I love: cats. Ten years ago, that was what I thought, and I began my career as a cat writer. However, at the time, cats were not as much in the spotlight as they are now, and when I mentioned at meetings with media outlets that I wanted to write about cats, I was sometimes laughed at…

Even so, I have continued to write about cats because I wanted to create articles that went beyond just being “cute.”

The importance of having access to information about life, as taught by my late kitten

When I first aspired to be a cat writer, summary sites were the ones gaining traction. Simple articles that focused only on how cute cats are. Somehow, I felt a sense of discomfort.

I feel that, aside from those summary sites, many online articles at the time also picked up only on how cute cats were.

The major catalyst for my goal of becoming a cat writer was the death of Leo, a kitten I had just brought home. Before he passed away, Leo had white stool and a loss of appetite. I was worried about the color of his stool, which I had never seen before, and tried searching online, but information was not available at the time.

I immediately had him treated at a local clinic, but Leo passed away. Several years later, when I visited a different clinic for my cat’s vomiting, I blamed myself. During a casual conversation with the vet, I spoke about the treatment Leo had received, and I learned that it was highly likely to have been inappropriate.

If I had more knowledge, I might have been able to protect Leo... If there had been just a little more information online back then, I might have been able to question his treatment. Regretting this, I made a resolution: I would become a cat writer who provides articles that help people learn how to protect their cats.

I want to write articles that don't just consume the "cuteness" of cats

That said, I had no experience as a writer. With no skills or connections, I started by building a track record on crowdsourcing sites. Carrying that experience with me, I applied for writing positions at various lifestyle media outlets. Back then, when I shared my desire, saying, “I want to write about cats,” I was laughed at by many people.

But I am not good at giving up, so I applied for writing gigs left and right. Little by little, I found media outlets that would let me write about cats.

However, at the time, most of what was demanded by the media were articles showcasing the cuteness of "star cats" or SEO-focused articles. It was painful to accept that trend, so I began proposing my own ideas to the media outlets. I started covering topics such as homes designed for humans and cats to live in comfortably, and growth stories of cats other than just the "star" ones.

Star cats are certainly cute, but every cat has a one-of-a-kind story with their owner. I wanted to hear these stories of life, without discriminating between any cats, so I continued to conduct interviews.

Stung by the comment, "That’s a genre you’ll never go hungry in," when I was starting out

Eventually, as I came to be known as a "cat writer," I was happy that the opportunities to write feature articles not centered on star cats increased, perhaps because the boom had subsided.

But one day, a colleague said to me, "You chose a good genre! You’ll never go hungry with animal-related stuff," and that stung.

Of course, I get paid for my writing work, but I didn't decide to write about cats because I wouldn't "go hungry." Besides, if it were about human lives, no one would say such a thing. It came as a shock to realize that the lives of animals are still being trivialized.

But because I now know that it can be seen that way, my resolve to properly convey the weight of an animal’s life through my articles has only grown stronger. I want to deliver articles that aren't thought of as just "pet stories." That event made me feel that all over again.

I want to continue writing "practical articles" where you can learn about care methods and personal experiences

As time goes on, the types of articles people read change. Grasping those trends is a necessary skill for a writer. But at the same time, I believe it is also important for a writer to stay true to their core and write about the stories they truly want to tell.

For example, in my case, when writing about a cat’s battle with an illness, I try not to just summarize it in an emotional way, but to write as specifically as possible about the care and treatment provided.

Just like humans, there are many different cases for a cat's struggle with illness. I believe that if I include various personal accounts of the same illness in my articles, it increases the chances that someone might find the care or treatment their own cat needs.

I want to help preserve the lives of cats in critical situations, like my late Leo. I want to pass on information that serves as a bridge, so that owners and their cats can live happily together. That is why I continue to be a cat writer.

I will leave the dissemination of medical information to the professionals, the veterinarians, and I will continue to interview various owners to provide firsthand accounts. Since I myself have been helped by personal accounts when looking up information on chronic illnesses or my cat’s diseases, I want to keep facing life head-on with the momentum of "If the information isn't out there, I'll go interview for it!"

By the way, having reached the 10-year milestone, I’ve recently developed a strong desire to "nurture the next generation of cat writers."

I hope that more cat writers who can properly write stories of life will emerge, so that owners who want to protect their cats can more easily obtain the necessary information. I believe that is a way for a cat writer to give back to cats.

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