Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

National Hug Your Cat Day 2026: How & When It Is Celebrated

woman hug her siamese cat

As cat parents, we feel that every day should be “Hug Your Cat Day”, but did you know that there is a specific day to love your cat that’s officially recognized? Every year on June 4th is National Hug Your Cat Day, and it’s coming up as usual in 2024.

While you probably already shower your cat with hugs and love, you can take this extra-special day to pamper your cat even more and show your love to other cats. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about National Hug Your Cat Day and more.

divider 2 cats

What Is National Hug Your Cat Day?

National Hug Your Cat Day is a great excuse to hug your cat even more than you already do. It’s a day to spoil your cat and show them how much you appreciate them. Many people don’t know that cats were celebrated and worshiped in Egyptian times. They were viewed as magical, majestic felines in Egypt and still are to this day.

The people of Egypt saw them as royals and would pamper them, dress them up in jewels, and feed them extravagant meals. In fact, when cats passed away, their owners would mourn them by shaving off their eyebrows, and the cats were given a cat mummification burial.

In today’s culture, however, cats often live in the shadow of canines, and they aren’t shown the proper respect and love that we pet parents feel they should be shown. Therefore, we celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day every year to honor our feline friends.

chimera kitten hug by owner
Image Credit: Natalia Kokhanova, Shutterstock

divider 2 catsHow Can You Celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day 2026?

You may be wondering at this point just how you can celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day. We’ll give you a few ideas in the section below.

1. Hug Your Cat

While this may seem like a no-brainer, it certainly bears mentioning. On National Hug Your Cat Day, make sure that you hug your cat. While we all know that cats live and operate on their own schedule, your cat will always like to be petted and loved.

The cat may even show its appreciation for you on National Hug Your Cat Day by jumping into your lap for a snuggle.

tabby cat lying on a womans chest
Image Credit: Alek_B, Pixabay

2. Play Games

Hugging and petting are always appreciated, but playing with your feline is another excellent way to show your love. You can break out the laser pointer or feather toys, or if your pet is a natural retriever, you can play a game of fetch with a catnip mouse or ball of paper.

Playing is an important part of keeping your cat mentally and physically engaged, and a great toy will make it much easier. We like Hepper's Catnip Stick Toys because they're sturdy enough to handle intense play and completely filled with organic catnip. You'll love the fun range of pastel colors and your cat will enjoy the prey-like shape!

Hepper Stick Catnip Cat Kicker Toy
  • No Filler - Like all the best cat toys our is stuffed with 100% organic catnip. Cheap cat toys with...
  • Flexible Play - Simple plush shape is great for biting, scratching and pawing. It can start life as...
  • Durably Designed - Our cat safe toys are hand-stitched with a double-lined exterior construction for...

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!


3. Volunteer at a Shelter

National Hug Your Cat Day isn’t just about hugging and loving your cat. You can volunteer at a shelter to be sure that all cats get the love and appreciation they need on that special day. In fact, don’t stop there; volunteer every time you can, as these animals need all the love, patience, support, and hugs they can get while they wait to be adopted and taken to a forever home.

cat at an animal shelter
Image Credit: JW Design, Shutterstock

divider 2 cats

Final Thoughts

National Hug Your Cat Day 2024 is on June 4th, and you don’t want to miss it. It’s the perfect opportunity to hug your cat, show them how much you care, and give back to the animal community by volunteering at your local animal shelter.

Cats are loyal, loving creatures that used to be treated like royalty. You can revive the Egyptian tradition by participating in National Hug Your Cat Day. Show your cat how much you love them with plenty of hugs, exciting games, and a few tasty treats.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Piqsels

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.


How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Oral Tumors in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Care

We don’t spend a lot of time looking inside our cat’s mouths, and sometimes, getting too close can mean getting bitten! That is...

Triaditis in Cats: Causes, Signs & Treatments (Vet Answer)

Feline triaditis is a phenomenon that occurs when there are inflammatory diseases affecting three different organs in your cat’s body at once. The...

The 6 Best Online Vet Services for Canadians in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Every cat parent knows the struggle: your feline friend is acting off, but is it serious enough for a vet visit? The stress...

Why Does My Cat Like Water & Swimming? Vet-Reviewed Feline Behavior Explanation

Cats have a reputation for disliking water. But, while it is true that some of our feline friends detest getting in baths and...

More related

Do Cats Like Change? Vet-Verified Behavior & Evolution Facts

One of the things that draws people to cats as pets is their independence. They require no walks, less training, and are generally...

Why Can’t My Cat Pee? 6 Possible Reasons (Vet Answer)

Your cat heads to the litter box and cries out rather than urinating. You check the litter box and can’t find evidence that...

Should You Take Your Cat On Vacation Or Leave Them At Home? Tips & FAQ

Planning a vacation can be stressful, but if you have a cat, there’s even more logistics to figure out. Should you take your...

11 Best Cat Shampoos for Shedding – 2026 Reviews & Top Picks

Shedding can be a big pain to deal with, especially if your cat spends most or all its time indoors. Cats just love...

Keep reading

Do Cats Need a Cat Tree? Vet Approved Pros, Cons & Considerations

Cats love to be up high and observe everything around them but also enjoy having their own space while they sleep their day away. Cat trees are a common staple in most cat-owning households. Not only do they provide that...

cat on top of a cat tree

Tiki Cat – Cat Food Review of 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary With so many different brands on the market, it can be tough to figure out which type of cat food to invest in for your feline family member. If you’re like most pet owners, choosing a quality food...

Tiki Cat Food Review

Why Is My Cat Scared of Strangers? 5 Possible Causes & Solutions (Vet-Reviewed)

Cats are sometimes inaccurately described as unemotional, unsympathetic, and supernaturally aloof. You may have heard catchy expressions like “a dog is man’s best friend, but a cat is man’s best observer.” However, over the years, countless research has shown that...

cat hiding behind the curtain

Is Lavender Toxic to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Important Facts & FAQ

Lavender, in its various forms, is one of the most popular substances on the planet. As a plant, its beautiful purple flowers and nice fragrance make it a great addition to any home. Lavender extracts are also used as a...

Catster_Is Lavander Toxic to Cats

What Does It Mean When a Cat Is Panting? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Panting is very common in our canine pals, but is much more rarely observed in cats. It’s important not to shrug your cat’s panting off like you do when your dog does since this can be an indication that something...

cat walking outdoor and panting

Is Catnip Safe for Cats? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

If you use catnip to manage your cat’s anxiety, you’d know how beneficial this plant is. It is a popular herb that helps manage many behavioral changes in animals and humans. Catnip is safe for cats when administered in measured...

Catster_Is Catnip Safe for Cats

Ways to Play With a Cat Without Toys: 10 Vet-Approved Ideas

Keeping your cat entertained by playing is crucial for their health and well-being. Mental and physical stimulation keeps them in good physical shape and maintains an active lifestyle. It can also help prevent destructive or unwanted behaviors, such as attention...

Cute cat playing inside a paper bag

Are British Shorthair Cats Hypoallergenic? Is It Possible? Vet-Approved Science & Info

British Shorthair cats are sweet, round-faced beauties known for their loyal personalities and muscled bodies. While gray British Shorthair kitties often get the most attention, these cats come in shades of black, golden, and even smoke. They’re also usually very...

Happy kitten likes being stroked by woman's hand