A furry lifestyler is generally considered to be a person who has one or more of these characteristics:

• Integrating a perceived animal nature into one's persona (gait, use of voice, personality, instincts, etc.)
• Totemistic beliefs, specifically with regard to animal spirits
• A belief that animal instincts exist within humans, regardless of whether they are separate, immaterial spirits, part of the genetic code, caused by reincarnation from a previous animal life, or anything else

A furry lifestyler may also take on physical attributes of an animal, although this is rare. Such attributes may be: hair style (including facial hair), tattoos, articles of clothing (e.g. a tail or ears), or jewelry. In a few extreme cases, some wealthy lifestylers have used elective surgery to affect a physical transformation.

Furry lifestylers generally refer to themselves as furries or furs, although this term is not exclusive to them. The phrases "furry lifestyle" and "furry lifestyler" first appeared in July 1996 on the newsgroup alt.fan.furry.

Some furry lifestylers have a general dysmorphia, a strong, deeply rooted feeling that they are not in the right body. A few furries have gone so far as to use the term Species Dysmorphic Disorder, a neologism that puns on body dysmorphic disorder, though the simpler "species dysmorphia" is a slightly more common phrase. These seem to indicate a disassociation with the psychological identity of the public at large.

A common perception of the furry lifestyle is that a very high proportion of its members are gay or bisexual, especially the latter. However, some people dispute this, opining that furs are, as a rule, more likely than the general population to accept non-heterosexual orientations and that this, rather than any real difference in numbers, accounts for the perception. Estimates as to the actual proportion of gay and bi furs therefore range widely, but reliable statistics are absent since serious research into this subject is almost nonexistent.

Otherkin and Furry Fandom

The practices and viewpoints of some Furry Lifestylers have some similarity to the ideas of Otherkin and Therianthropy, and because of this some Lifestylers have considered themselves associated with one or both terms. Likewise, while Furry fandom in general might not have been formed to explore spiritual connections with animals and other creatures, many Otherkin and Therianthropes find the content and subject matter of Furry appealing because of their own interests.

By this point in time, a relatively large number of people within the Otherkin community are also Furry fans in some capacity and frequently attend events such as Furry Conventions in addition to Otherkin-specific social events and conventions. While there has yet to be an Otherkin-specific event or panel at a Furry convention, some spirituality panels seem to have drifted in that direction, or had Otherkin speakers and attendees. Panels and discussions on mythology have also attracted Otherkin to participate.