National Hug Your Cat Day
Embrace your little bundle of furry joy and take some time to appreciate them. Of course, if they don’t want to be hugged, you may need some Band-Aids.
National Hug Your Cat Day is one of those pleasingly straightforward holidays. The intention is not for the day to be complicated or over thought. Quite simply, it is a day in which cat owners everywhere are encouraged to hug their cats. It’s an opportunity to give back to all the cats in the world and shower them with love and attention. The more dedicated amongst them will not need this encouragement, of course, but it is always good to be reminded of our feline friends. While a cat owner may love his or her cat immensely, it’s easy to forget to show a furry friend how much love there is to go around when managing a busy schedule and family. It’s best to start by petting the cat softly and having it warm up before going in for a hug. Be gentle and approachable, so the cat is more likely to welcome the embrace.
The obvious downside to the day is that people without cats may be left out. This need not be the case; however – it should be straightforward enough to simply adapt it into “Hug Someone Else’s Cat Day.” It should be easy to find a friend or family member with a cat and give their pet a huge embrace to show the animal some additional love on this day. Be glad to know that someone who suffers from allergies need not be left out either. These people can watch cute and funny cat videos on YouTube as a way to participate in the festivities.
History of National Hug Your Cat Day
For thousands of years, cats and humans have been getting along and building a closer and symbolic relationship. Cats were first domesticated in the Near East around 7500 BC. In the Ancient Egyptian days, cats were worshipped and glorified. They were revered and spoiled by the people.
Does this sound familiar to how cats are treated nowadays too? Cats were and continue to be seen as symbols of grace and poise. Some studies show that cat purring can help to reduce stress levels and make one feel calmer. Therefore, it makes sense why the decision was made to turn hugging your cat into a celebration.
National Hug Your Cat Day Timeline
7500 BC
Cats are first domesticated in the Near East
Cats are believed to be brought in from the outdoors and kept indoors as early as this time in the Neolithic era, likely descended from African wildcats.[1]
3500 BC
Cats are advantageous for farmers
It is estimated that during this time, the relationship between cats and farmers develops, likely because the cats prey on troublesome animals living nearby, like rodents.[2]
3000 BC
Ancient Egyptians revere cats
Believing them to be symbols of freedom, Ancient Egyptians establish a cat cemetery containing at least 300.000 cat mummies.[3]
1978
Garfield the Cat is born
On June 19 of this year, cartoonist Jim Davis’ cat comic strip is released, originally syndicated in only 41 newspapers but eventually will hit more than 2500. Incidentally, National Garfield the Cat Day is celebrated on June 19.
1979
The International Cat Association begins (TICA)
The world’s largest genetic cat registry, TICA originally begins in North America and eventually grows all over the world.[4]
Reasons to love National Hug Your Cat Day
There are many reasons to love National Hug Your Cat Day. Kitties deserve only the best from owners and humans in general. Cats are there to provide unconditional love through thick and thin, regardless of the circumstances. The day is an excellent reminder to give cats some extra TLC and thank them for their friendship and loyalty. There’s no better time to snuggle with a cat and give them a few extra scratches they will love.
A cat will be a friend forever and won’t disappoint its owner. National Hug Your Cat Day is a good excuse to say no to social events for the day and instead choose to stay home with a furry friend. A pet owner can put his or her feet up, pet the cat, and instantly feel more joy. Friends will come and go, but a cat will be there to cuddle and hang out when one needs them the most.
It’s also a good excuse for a pet owner to take pictures of the cat that’s always been by his or her side. Share these photos on social media and with friends and family to express the love that the cat is receiving. It may also be fun to print out some favorites and create a photo album with them to review later on. One can never take too many pictures of a pet or cat, so now is a chance to go wild.
Hugging and spending time with a cat offers many health benefits as well. Snuggling with a cat is naturally a pleasant experience and can improve and elevate an owner’s psychological state. Furry friends and pets can alleviate negative moods and put a smile on one’s face. Feeling calmer is good for a person’s cardiovascular system and will have long-term health benefits that shouldn’t be ignored. Not only can they decrease stress levels, but someone who hugs and spends time with cats may also find their blood pressure readings to improve over time.
These are just a few reasons why National Hug Your Cat Day is important to acknowledge and celebrate. There’s no doubt that there are many additional reasons why a cat deserves the utmost attention from pet owners. Now is the time to make more time for cats everywhere and hug them and prove to them that they mean the world to pet owners.
How to celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day
Most importantly, set aside time to celebrate on National Hug Your Cat Day. As a pet owner, it’s a chance to get in all the hugs possible and show the cat that they’ll always be protected and adored. It might be fun to try and see how long the cat will last in a hug without trying to wiggle away. Also, be sure to get out the lint roller because there will be some cleaning up to do after all the hugging and swooning. Put the cat on a pedestal and thank him or her for the numerous times it had stayed close when feelings of loneliness or sadness emerged. All a cat may need to feel extra special is the owner spending some quality time with him or her.
Shelters are always looking for help and assistance. They also need responsible people to adopt available pets. Therefore, consider volunteering time at a local shelter or adopting a cat to celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day. Not everyone has a kitty at home to hug, but these shelters are filled with cats that need a little extra attention on this day. Be there to help the cats find homes and to give them a few extra snuggles while at the shelter.
It’s also a good excuse to host a party. Human parties are fun, but cat parties are even better! Call up some friends and family members and gather together as pet owners and cat lovers to celebrate the day. Make sure everyone is equipped with treats and prepared to dish out plenty of hugs during the party. It’ll be a blast to have best friends and best cats to come together as a group to celebrate and enjoy the day.
There’s no right or wrong way to love a cat or to celebrate on this day. So, whether or not you are the proud housemate of a purring kitty, National Hug Your Cat Day is the perfect excuse to put a bit of warmth and companionship into your life. No matter what’s going on around you, no matter how bad or troubling things get, you can always count on your furry friend to be there for you. Give the cat your all, especially on National Hug Your Cat Day, and notice the difference it makes in the relationship.
National Hug Your Cat Day FAQs
When is National Hug Your Cat Day?
Celebrated on the 4th of June, National Hug Your Cat Day is one of many days celebrating cats! Others include International Cat Day on August 8, National Black Cat Day on October 27 and Ginger Cat Appreciation Day on September 1.
How many hours a day do cats sleep?
Snoozing at least half of their lives away, cats may spend about 12-16 hours a day sleeping.[1]
What is National Hug Your Cat Day?
National Hug Your Cat Day is designated for the care and keeping of feline pets. And although hugging a cat can sometimes be tricky, it’s a great adventure for the day![2]
Do cats get lonely?
Though cats are usually not as social as dogs, they can still get lonely, especially when they haven’t had much time with their humans. Signs of cat loneliness can be lethargy, poor grooming, destructive behavior, loss of appetite and more.[3]
How do cats show affection?
While it is National Hug Your Cat day, they may not be able to hug back. Instead, a cat may show affection by purring, mewing, trilling and chirping, or curling up in bed with their human.[4]
