Respect Your Cat Day: When Is It & How To Celebrate
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There are a lot of holidays that celebrate cats, but the one they’re most likely to appreciate is Respect Your Cat Day. This holiday falls on March 28 and reminds you to give your cat extra love, respect, and compassion.
Personally, we think every day should be Respect Your Cat Day. Still, March 28 gives you an opportunity to go above and beyond for your cat and spread the word. Here’s everything you need to know.
History of Respect Your Cat Day
Respect Your Cat Day is a newer holiday that’s only been on official record since 2014. However, it’s possible that the holiday falls on March 28 as an homage to March 28, 1384, which is when King Richard II of England passed an edict to ban the consumption of cats 1.
Cats have been a symbol of respect and worship for much longer, though. It’s well known that the Ancient Egyptians worshiped Bastet, a cat goddess, and kept cats in temples as sacred animals. The Romans also brought cats along on conquests to control rodents in their camps—a tradition that continued in the trenches of World War II.
Modern life allowed most cats to be costly companions that we wait on, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t had a rich history serving humans.
Tips to Celebrate Respect Your Cat Day
Respect Your Cat Day is a way to acknowledge how important cats have been to humans throughout history. Here are some tips to celebrate and show your cat some love:
1. Indulge their inner hunter
Cats don’t have to hunt for food anymore, but those hunter instincts haven’t gone anywhere. Even with ample food, cats still enjoy stalking, pouncing, and chasing moving objects and small animals. You can indulge these instincts with a laser toy, a robotic mouse, or a feather string toy that gives your cat some interest and exercise.
2. Follow your cat’s lead
Dogs always want attention. As pet owners, we often treat cats like dogs, expecting them to run over to us with glee if we so much as look their way. Cats are more standoffish, however. They want love and attention on their own terms, so encourage your cat to come to you without pushing their boundaries.
3. Respect your cat’s naptime
Nothing is better than a midday nap, and cats know that better than anyone. Cats are most active in the early morning, evening, and night, then sleep during the day—sometimes for 18 hours. Do your best to let your cat enjoy their slumber undisturbed. Better yet, take a nap with them.
4. Learn to touch your cat the right way
Petting your cat may seem like a no-brainer, but they can be particular about how they want to be touched. This holiday is a good time to learn how and where cats like to be touched to make the experience a positive one.
5. Take care of their health
There’s no better way to show respect for your cat than by keeping up with their healthcare needs. Schedule a checkup to make sure your cat gets their necessary vaccinations and preventative care.
Conclusion
Respect Your Cat Day is a great time to make everything about them. Keep up with your cat’s health, get some new toys, and learn more about cat behavior to ensure that you’re interacting with your cat the way they want.
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Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
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Chris has been a science-focused pet writer since 2009, specializing in health and the environment. She lives with her husband Norm and three amazing cats in the land of 10,000 lakes. When she's not writing about cats, Chris also enjoys boating and sampling wine. She has her WSET 1 and 2 certifications and is currently pursuing her Certified Wine Specialist Award (CSW).
