Did you know March 28th is Respect Your Cat Day? Here at Hilde & Phil, we believe every day is a great day to appreciate and respect your cat, but today is extra special!
Cats bring so much love, friendship, and happiness to their owners and families. Although cats can be opinionated and aren't afraid to ask for what they want, they make wonderful pets, especially because they're so independent. They really deserve a lot of respect, and that's what Respect Your Cat Day is all about.
Respect comes in many forms. A good rule to follow is to treat your cat the way you would want to be treated, if you respect your cat, they'll respect you back.
Respect Your Cat Day History
We're not sure who first decided March 28th should be Respect Your Cat Day, and it doesn't seem to have been mentioned online before 2014. However, from what I've read, Respect Your Cat Day might have started way back in March 28, 1384 when King Richard II of England declared that people shouldn't eat cats.
We mean, we don't need a king to tell us not to eat our pets... To honor all the cats we've cared for – the ones we've owned, rescued, or even had to say goodbye to. We hope this article reminds everyone how lucky we are that these creatures let us be around them. They give us a little glimpse of the wild animals they came from, while letting us enjoy their friendship and funny behavior.
How Can You Celebrate Respect Your Cat Day?
It might sound like an unserious holiday, but it's important to remember how much cats mean to our homes and lives. Here are 7 simple ways you can respect your cat, not just on March 28, but all year round!
#1 Make Time for Your Cat (If They Want It!)
The most important thing is, does your cat want to spend time with you right now? If not, maybe the best way to celebrate is to respect their boundaries and give them some space.
At the very least, show your cat you appreciate their unique personality, their delicate nature, and their strong opinions. With over 600 million domesticated cats worldwide, today's a great day to show them some extra respect.
#2 Respect Their Natural Scratching Behavior
We often think of scratching as a bad habit, but it's actually something cats need to do! It helps them stretch, mark things with their scent, and keep their claws healthy. Trimming their claws can help protect your furniture and your skin, but it won't stop them from wanting to scratch.
To respect this need, get a Cat-e-Corner – cool cat furniture from Hilde & Phil that's designed for scratching, climbing, and relaxing. You can protect your sofa and give your cat a fun place to scratch.
#3 Value Their Rest Time
We only need about 7-9 hours of sleep, so it's easy to see cats sleeping most of the day and think they're “lazy”. But cats sleep so much because of their hunting instincts – they hunt, then rest to save energy. So, Respect Your Cat Day is the perfect time to let them nap without judgment.
While they're sleeping, why not learn a little more about cat sleep? The Sleep Foundation says that over half of cats sleep 12-18 hours a day, and another 40% sleep over 18 hours! Cats also tend to be most active around sunrise and sunset, which is when we're usually still sleeping or getting ready for bed. So, respect your sleeping cat and their natural habits, they might even enjoy you joining them for a nap.
#4 Acknowledge Their Inner Hunter
Although cats don't need to hunt for food anymore, they still have those hunting instincts inside them! You might notice your cat loves to pounce and likes small, moving things. Sometimes, you might even catch them “stalking” you or other pets.
This is all normal and helps them satisfy their natural urges. To show your support on Respect Your Cat Day, encourage their inner hunter with a feather toy that mimics a bird's flight, a fun new ball to chase, or a self-propelled robotic mouse.
#5 Discover Your Cat's Favorite “Prey”
To really make playtime fun, try to figure out what kind of prey your cat likes best. Most cats have certain creatures they prefer to hunt. For example, if your cat loves toys with feathers or that make bird sounds, they probably enjoy pretending to hunt birds.
If they love stuffed mice or balls, they can stalk and pounce on, they probably prefer hunting mice. And if they're fascinated by lasers, strings, or toys that zip around on the floor, they might be imagining they're chasing bugs. Try out a few different types of toys and see which ones really grab your cat's attention.
#6 Give Your Cat Their Space
If cats don't have enough space, they can get stressed and unhappy. This can cause them to act out and even get sick more easily. If you have more than one cat in your home, make sure you have enough litter boxes.
A good rule is to have one more box than you have cats. Also, each cat needs to have their own quiet spot where they can relax without being disturbed by guests, other pets, or just the noise of the house.
#7 Commit to Their Health & Care
Respecting your cat means more than just buying them scratching posts, toys, and playing with them. Your cat's health should always be a top priority, from when they're a kitten to when they're older.
Respect Your Cat Day is a good reminder to check your cat's vet records and make sure they're up-to-date on shots and checkups. If you're not sure, call your vet and ask! And if you don't have it, think about getting cat health insurance to protect your kitty from unexpected illnesses.
Now's also a good time to think about what your cat eats. As obligate carnivores, cats require a diet high in meat-based protein, so ensure their food reflects this need. They don't need many grains, if any at all. Talk to your vet to make sure you're choosing the right food for your cat.
