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.

Walk Your Pet Month 2025: How & When Is It Celebrated?

black cat with harness and leash in the forest with owner

Many people do not walk their felines. However, they are missing out on a fun and easy way to exercise their cat and help them explore the world! Sure, cats are often not as easily trained as dogs. Plus, many seem to have an aversion to leashes. However, it is possible to train your cat to walk on a leash.

And that’s exactly what Walk Your Pet Month is all about.

January is all about walking your pet to help them (and you) stay happy and healthy. Regular walks provide you and your feline with tons of benefits that you should take advantage of this January.

divider 3 paws

Why is Walk Your Pet Month Important?

Walking your cat can give you and your feline a range of benefits. Firstly, it helps both of you to exercise. Many cats are overweight and obese, largely due to a lack of exercise. Walking your feline is an easy way to combat this problem. Plus, it can help you get healthier too.

Walking also provides extra mental stimulation for your cat. Many cats are quite intelligent, but they are easily bored by their everyday life. Walking them gives them something new to look at and different places to explore.

One final benefit of walking is socialization. Cats that are introduced to many different animals, people, and places are less likely to be scared of new things. Therefore, they’re able to enjoy life more and are less likely to develop behavioral problems.

Sadly, many people do not walk their cats. It’s a common misconception that cats cannot be trained to walk on a leash. However, this month seeks to end that problem by promoting walking. It is a simple thing you can do to make your cat’s life much better.

A woman with a cat on a leash walking along a path in the park
Image Credit: Nau Nau, Shutterstock

Where is Walk Your Pet Month Observed?

For the most part, this celebration is only observed in the USA. However, it is starting to gain some traction in other countries. You may find local pet-oriented stores joining in on this month of walking, or you may not.

Sadly, this celebration hasn’t gained as much traction as some others.

divider 3 paws

Final Thoughts

Walk your pet month is a great time to get your cat leash-trained and start taking them out to explore the wide world. While adult cats may take several months to get used to walks, kittens often get used to the whole situation very quickly. The younger you can start the better.

However, the month of January reminds us that it is never too late to explore with our pets even if we don’t get much further than our front porch.


Featured Image Credit: alexgo.photography, Shutterstock

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

Can Cats Eat Tofu? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Tofu seems to be a favorite among humans who avoid eating meat. But what about cats, which are obligate carnivores? Can they eat...

Where Do Cats Like to Sleep? 5 Typical Places

If you are a cat owner, you know how much cats love to sleep. Most cats sleep up to 16 hours a day,...

Ragdoll Kittens for Sale in Georgia: Breeders List 2025

Catster advocates for adopting before shopping, though we fully understand that there are many reasons for seeking a breeder. So, we encourage it...

How to Train a Cat Not to Bite: 8 Vet-Approved Tips and Tricks

Is your cat constantly biting you? You are not alone. The behavior is typical for kittens and adult cats, but they do it...

More related

8 Best Modern Cat Beds in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Throughout history, people have lavished all kinds of luxuries on their pets, from treats to clothing and food fit for a king! King...

Siamese Kittens for Sale in Utah: Breeders List 2025

Catster advocates for adopting before shopping, though we fully understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder. So, we encourage it to...

Halo Cat Food Review of 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Halo was established in the 1980s when founder Andi Brown struggled to find a cure for her cat’s array of health...

Why Does My Cat Stare at Me While I Sleep? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Most cat owners can recount waking up on at least one occasion with their cat staring straight at them. It can be uncomfortable,...

Keep reading

Is Cinnamon Bad for Cats? Vet-Reviewed Safety Facts

Cats are obligate carnivores that have very different diets and nutritional needs than humans. However, there are a variety of foods that both cats and humans can eat. So can cats have cinnamon? Is Cinnamon bad for cats? In general,...

Why Do Cats Like the Sun? 6 Reasons & Safety Tips

One of the funniest and quite fascinating habits of cats is their love of sunbathing. It is a great sight to see cats sprawled out in the sun or basking in the warmth of a sunny window. But why do...

cat stretching a rocky beach and a beautiful sunset over the ocean

How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids to a Cat? 9 Vet-Approved Steps to Follow

Keeping our pets healthy is of vital importance, and sometimes, we need to step outside our comfort zones to provide our pets with the treatment that they need. One example of this is giving subcutaneous, or Sub-Q, fluids. These are...

close up IV saline drip

Why Does My Cat Burrow Under Blankets? 7 Vet-Verified Reasons

Kitties have some pretty interesting mannerisms. They’re always doing some quirky behavior that, as humans, we can barely understand. If you have a cat that likes to tunnel or weave underneath your blankets, you might wonder what would prompt this—because...

Cat hiding under the blanket

Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop? 3 Vet-Verified Reasons for This Behavior

Burying items, especially waste, is not at all uncommon in the animal kingdom. Dog owners have long witnessed this behavior from their canine pals, who love to bury all sorts of goodies. But cat owners observe their cats carefully burying...

two cats looking at the litter box

How to Make a Cat Poop When Constipated: 10 Vet-Verified Tips

A constipated kitty is no fun. Usually, constipation is not a sign of something serious, though it can be very uncomfortable for the cat and can lead to secondary problems if it isn’t addressed. However, constipation can be a sign...

constipated cat in the litter box

How Many Times Do Cats Go Into Heat? Vet-Approved Explanation (With Infographic)

Cats are seasonally polyestrous animals, which means they have multiple estrous cycles throughout the year when days are long (during spring and summer). The average cat goes into heat for the first time at around 6 months of age, but...

Gray cat following person with camera

Why Is My Cat Licking Everything all of a Sudden? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats have amazing tongues; they’re full of special powers that we can’t even begin to understand. Kitties use their tongues to do everything from clean themselves to explore the world. If your cat is suddenly going crazy when it comes...

Black cat licking a woman's toes