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.

Lifestyle

National Cat Lovers Month 2026: When & What It Is

By Adam Mann
Share
woman-petting-her-cat

National Cat Lovers Month is every December, and this year is no exception. It’s a month specifically set aside for you to sit back and spend a little extra time with your cat, and there are many different ways you can do this.

While National Cat Lovers Month isn’t the most well-known month to celebrate, if you love cats, it’s a great excuse to love up on them a bit more and spend a little extra time with your favorite furry friends!

divider 1 paws

The 5 Ways to Celebrate National Cat Lovers Month

Now that you know when National Cat Lovers Month is, it’s time to figure out how to celebrate it. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the month, and the only thing limiting your ways to celebrate is your imagination!

1. Donate Volunteer at a Local Animal Shelter

One of the absolute best ways to celebrate National Cat Lovers Month is to spend time with or support cats that don’t always get the resources and attention they deserve. Shelters often have way more cats than they can handle, and while you don’t want to adopt one on a whim, that doesn’t mean you can’t support them in other ways.

Volunteering is great, but you can also give them some money to help support their operations, or you can ask them what they need and donate things.

two women adopting cats at the shelter
Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock

2. Spend Some Extra Time With Your Cat

If you already have a cat (or a few cats) at home, one of the best ways to celebrate the month is by giving them a little extra time throughout December. It’s not as straightforward or easy as buying them something, but it’s probably what your cat will enjoy most.

Spend some extra time petting them, playing games with them, brushing them, and interacting with them in other ways and you’re sure to have one happy cat throughout all of December.


3. Get Your Cat a Special Treat

If your cat is like ours, they simply can’t get enough treats. Whether it’s catnip or something else entirely, get them some of their favorite treats or something new to try. You don’t want to give them loads of treats throughout the entire month, but a few extra treats now and again aren’t a big deal, and your cat will love the special attention.

Another unique way to get your cat a new treat is to make them yourself, which requires a bit more work but is a more personal way to give them something special.

woman hang giving treat to a cat
Image Credit: StockSnap, Pixabay

4. Buy Your Cat a New Toy

If you want something that isn’t food for your cat, you can bring them a new toy to play with. One perk of going with a new toy instead of treats is that toys generally last longer than treats, although some cats are experts at destroying toys.


5. Spread Awareness for Local Shelters and Rescues

Another great way to support local shelters and rescues is by spreading awareness. Simple things like sharing Facebook and Instagram posts can make a big difference. Sharing posts about donation drives can lead to more supplies, sharing posts about cats that need homes can help them find them, and sharing all their posts in general can lead to more volunteers!

cat at an animal shelter
Image Credit: JW Design, Shutterstock
divider 1 paws

Final Thoughts

Now that you know a little more about National Cat Lover Month and when it is, all that’s left is for you to start planning how you will celebrate this year. Whatever you choose to do to celebrate the month is up to you, but it’s an excellent opportunity to spend a little extra time with cats, which is perfect for cat lovers.

See also:

Sources

Featured Image Credit: evrymmnt, Shutterstock

The Catster Newsletter

Expert cat care, straight to your inbox

News, insights, and useful advice, delivered to you.

No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)

Adam Mann
Authored by

Adam Mann

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.

Provirtec Pawtent Ultra Air Purifier Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion

Provirtec Pawtent Ultra Air Purifier Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion

When it comes to achieving high indoor air quality in a home with pets, the challenges are many. And getting the “best” purifier on the market may not actually…

Sara Seitz
By Sara Seitz ·
Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

If there is one thing I regret about my automatic litter box, it’s that I didn’t get one sooner. For years, I dismissed this marvel of engineering as an overpr…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

If you have a cat (or cats!) in your life, then you know the value of play; there’s no better way to spend time with a loved one, both human and furry. I’m a l…

Mike Mearls
By Mike Mearls ·
The Weirdly Wonderful Cat Litter Every Cat Parent Should Know About

The Weirdly Wonderful Cat Litter Every Cat Parent Should Know About

If there's one thing all cat owners can agree on, it's that cats can be, well, a little weird. But that's why we love them! As a cat parent, your acceptance of…

Sara Seitz
By Sara Seitz ·

The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

Cats have a reputation for being independent, and in many ways they are. But anyone who has tried to work at a laptop with a cat on the keyboard, or woken up w…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

We've Launched Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk: A New Home for Veterinary Careers in the UK

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk, a dedicated job board built specifically for the veterinary profession in the United Kingdom.…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
We've Launched Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk: A New Home for Veterinary Careers in the UK

The Catster Magazine is Officially Back!

The Catster Magazine relaunch is officially underway with a fresh new look and an all-new digital experience. We're thrilled to reintroduce our Digital Magazin…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
The Catster Magazine is Officially Back!

Level Up with the Self-Cleaning Litter Box From Oneisall – Our Expert’s 2026 Review

* Use code CATSTER25 for 25% at oneisall.com. Valid through December 31, 2026 Earlier this year, I made some awesome upgrades to my dedicated cat room, includi…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
Level Up with the Self-Cleaning Litter Box From Oneisall – Our Expert’s 2026 Review

The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Help a Cat With Hairballs

Cats spend an astonishing amount of time grooming. It is part hygiene routine, part comfort ritual, and part instinct that traces back generations. But all tha…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Help a Cat With Hairballs

The Surprisingly Sweet Reason Behind Cats Chewing Human Hair (and Others)

Cats have a talent for turning the ordinary into something slightly bizarre. One minute, there’s a peaceful evening on the couch, and the next, a cat is chewin…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Surprisingly Sweet Reason Behind Cats Chewing Human Hair (and Others)

The 5 Things Cats Are Communicating With a Paw to the Face

Cats have a reputation for being aloof, which makes it all the more puzzling when they reach out and deliberately place a paw on your face. It's oddly intimate…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The 5 Things Cats Are Communicating With a Paw to the Face

The Refuresh Deshedding Tool - It’s No Ordinary Brush

Certain things seem to go hand-in-hand with sharing your life with a cat, with hairballs, vomiting, and hair on EVERYTHING often seen as unavoidable side effec…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
The Refuresh Deshedding Tool - It’s No Ordinary Brush

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert cat care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on feline behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.

You may opt-out at any time. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

The Catster site on a phone