National Pet Day

Pet parents are invited to celebrate their furry, finned or fine-feathered family members on National Pet Day–a great day to pamper your cat!

When Is National Pet Day?

National Pet Day is scheduled every year for April 11. This pet holiday was established in 2007 by celebrity pet and family lifestyle expert Colleen Paige– the creator of National Cat Day, Dress Up Your Pet Day, National Kids and Pets Day and many other annual odes to animals– as a way to promote the option of pet adoption.

Ways to Pamper Your Cat on National Pet Day

How will you pay homage to your purring pal on National Pet Day? Here are a few suggestions:

Throw a Paw-ty

While gathering a clowder of feline friends may not be doable, why not invite you and your cat’s two-legged buddies for an afternoon of fun? Here are a few tips for a feline-themed fete:

Make National Pet Day Spa Day for Your Cat

Let your cat enjoy a taste of life as an A-list star with a day of pampering complete with a paw-dicure, massage and lots of brushing to tame his or her ‘mane,’ followed by a long cat nap in your cat’s favorite sun puddle.

Ideas for the Entertainment-Loving Cat

If your cat is a real couch potato, watch a reality TV show that will entertain your pal with paws, like episodes of the long-running Animal Planet series My Cat from Hell.

If your kitty loves cartoons, find some old episodes of Top Cat or Garfield, while the intellectual tabby might want to view the documentary Kedi.

Turn Movie Night at your house into Mew-vie Night with a mini-marathon of feline-themed flicks! If your cat is in the mood for an animated tale, curl up together and watch:

the heroic antics of Puss in Boots
a Disney classic like The Aristocats
the buddy movie The Secret Life of Pets
an adventure like Homeward Bound and Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore
the Peele and Key feature film Keanu
comedies like Nine Lives or the vintage antics of Rhubarb
horror classics like Cat People and Cat’s Eye

Gifts to Give Your Cat

If you are looking to purchase a present for your purring pal, a new scratching post or wand will never fail to put a Cheshire Cat grin on your fur baby’s face!

Whether it’s a classic like fuzzy mice or the latest laser toy, give your four-pawed friend a gift to mark their special day.

Hang up some cat-themed, cat-safe decorations (placed above the reach of your purring pal).

Show off your cat pride with a pair of cat ears.

Add cat lapel pins to your favorite jacket so you can wear your love for cats on your sleeve!

Serve tasty treats for ‘humans’ from paw print-patterned plates (and make sure that your four-legged family member has plenty of cat treats to nom on.)

Figure out your cat’s birthstone based on her birthday or adoption day.

Give a whole new meaning to the make-up term ‘cat eye’ as you and your friends use face paint to let your inner feline shine through.

You and your feline friend will feel like two hep cats when you crank up some cool kitty-themed ditties! Sing and meow along to:

Al Stewart’s “Year of the Cat”
“Memory” from the CATS soundtrack
“Stray Cat Strut” from The Stray Cats
The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Nashville Cats”
“Honky Cat” by Elton John
Queen’s tribute to Freddie Mercury’s tortoiseshell rescue cat “Delilah”
“What’s New, Pussycat?” from Tom Jones

Spend Quality Time with Your Kitty Companion

Share the Love

In honor of the cat who has given you so much joy, give joy to other companion animals who are waiting at your local shelter for a pet parent of their own to love. You can volunteer your time, make a monetary contribution or donate blankets, pet beds, toys or much-needed supplies.

Give the Greatest Gift of All

photo of cat being pet by woman off to the side of the image

Although purchasing the latest cat toy on the market and tasty treats are wonderful ways to show your cat how much you care, love is the greatest gift of all. On National Pet Day, and every day, set aside some special time out of your hectic schedule to just sit with, hold and talk to your fur baby.

While this pet holiday is a time to celebrate the joy that your cat companion brings to your life, the holiday is also a time to give joy to other companion animals who are in need of a forever home to call their own. Pay a visit to your local shelter and sign up to be a volunteer, or make a donation of much-needed daily supplies, blankets, pet beds or toys.

If you think that your feline would like to welcome another furry member into your family, meet the adorable adoptables at your area shelter and rescue groups, or search online at AdoptAPet.com, PetFinder.com or PetHarbor.com!