International Cat Day: How to celebrate your pet

If you live with a cat, you probably already treat them like royalty – but International Cat Day is the perfect excuse to spoil them a little more. Whether your cat loves food, naps or toys, here are seven fun and thoughtful ways to celebrate.

International Cat Day (ICD), sometimes called World Cat Day, is celebrated every year on the 8th of August.

International Cat Day was created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), one of the world’s largest animal welfare charities. The goal was to celebrate the world’s felines, but also raise awareness about cat welfare and encourage responsible pet ownership.

Since 2020, ICD has been co-managed by International Cat Care, a UK charity dedicated to the health and wellbeing of cats all around the world.

If you’d like to celebrate the day but you’re not sure how, here are seven ideas to get you started.

Most cats love food variety, and homemade treats are the perfect way to introduce some new flavours and textures to their diet.

Simple but tasty recipes include salmon cat treats, tuna balls, and tasty chicken treats. Give them to your cat as an ICD treat, or use them as positive reinforcement when clicker training. Just be mindful of adjusting their regular meals to account for additional calories, and be sure to avoid certain ingredients if your cat has any food intolerances, allergies or medical conditions. If in doubt, check with your vet first.

If your cat loves to play, International Cat Day is the perfect excuse to give them a new toy.

Whether it’s a pouncing or chasing toy, pick something you know your cat will enjoy and set aside some time to play with them. A puzzle toy or activity board is also a great choice to help keep your cat entertained at home.

Alternatively, have a go at making some DIY cat toys, like a bottle of crunchy treats, a kicker toy or a fishing rod toy.

International Cat Day is a great time to check if your cat has everything they need.

If you have multiple cats, make sure there are enough resources for all of them. You should have one litter tray, water bowl and food bowl per cat, plus one extra. So, if you have two cats, you’ll need three of everything.

Cats also need places to climb and hide, as well as scratching posts and quiet places to sleep. Making sure your cat is well provided for is the best way to reduce any stress and keep them happy and healthy.

Some cats love to birdwatch, but you might not want them getting too close to the real thing – especially if they’re an indoor cat.

Instead, set up a comfy chair or cat tree by a window and add a bird feeder outside, safely out of reach. Place a few treats around the new area or sprinkle some catnip to encourage your cat to explore. Listen out for your cat chattering when they see a bird.

You’ve probably got a camera roll full of cat photos, but there’s no harm in taking a few more this International Cat Day. Use these tips to get a frame-worthy – and cat-friendly – shot:

• Avoid using the flash and startling your cat by making the most of the natural light near windows or in the garden.
• Take photos from your cat’s eye level for beautiful shots – you can crouch down or lie on the floor and encourage your cat to come over to you using treats.
• Combine playtime with photo taking – hold a fishing rod toy just above your camera lens to grab your cat’s attention and snap a playful action shot.
• Don’t be tempted to dress your cat in any outfits – these can feel very restrictive to animals and get in the way of their natural activities such as grooming or using the litter tray.

If you’re sharing your photos on social media, use the tag #InternationalCatDay and see what other cat owners have been sharing. You could even consider printing your favourite shots and giving them pride of place in your home.

Not every cat has someone to pamper them on International Cat Day. Consider contacting your local rescue centre to see if they need any volunteers or donations, and drop off a few things they require.

You can also make an online donation to a charity.

Grooming your cat is a lovely way to spend time together, but it can also remove loose fur, stimulate the skin to produce natural oils and help prevent mats. If your cat enjoys it, try to make it a regular part of your routine.

During grooming, check your cat for any signs of soreness, cuts or bumps. If you notice anything unusual, speak to your vet. If you’ve got cat insurance with Petplan, talk to one of our qualified experts through Pet Expert Chat. Just log in to your My Petplan account and go to the My Support area to access.