Respect Your Cat Day - March 28th

Introduction

Did you know that there is actually a special day to honour our cats? Yes, that's right - March 28th is National Respect Your Cat Day! This is a special day set aside to honour cats and celebrate the special bond humans have with their feline friends. 

There is still a lot of misunderstanding regarding cat behaviour and cat care. This can lead to abuse, neglect, destructive behaviours, unhappy cats, unhappy humans, and in the worst cases, euthanasia or relinquishment of the cat to a shelter or rescue.

National Respect Your Cat Day encourages cat owners and lovers to take a moment to learn something new about their cats, improve the way they care for their cats, and deepen their bond with their cats.

The Top Three Ways You Can Respect and Care For Your Cat

Here are the top three ways you can respect and care for your cat. With these tips, you can help to reduce unwanted behaviours, improve your cat's health, improve their quality of life and, hopefully, reduce excessive veterinary bills.

Respect Your Cat's Desire to Hunt

Cats are carnivores and excellent hunters. Their sleek, agile bodies have evolved to move swiftly and quietly. That way, they can not only stay out of harm's way, but they can also effectively secure their next meal. 

While their hunting skills have been essential to their survival when outdoors, indoor cats have very few opportunities to engage them actively, and, without proper physical and mental stimulation, our indoor kitties all too often end up bored and overweight.

That can become problematic for cat owners because an overweight and bored cat is also a stressed and unhappy cat. This stress increases your cat's likelihood of developing behavioural and health issues, such as diabetes, urinary and digestive problems, as well as behavioural issues such as aggression.

One of the best ways you can show your cat respect is to create an indoor environment for them that is physically and mentally stimulating. Cats love to hunt and climb, and you can help them find fun ways to incorporate this into their daily activities: You can provide them with some fun and elevated spaces with climbing trees and towers or even an area on a high shelf. You can even spice up these spaces with organic catnip.

You can toss or hide cat food kibbles for your cat to pounce on and eat to facilitate hunting activities. You can also stuff an active treat ball with cat treats for your kitty to enjoy.

Another option is to fashion your own 'cat puzzle' by putting a few kibbles in a cardboard egg container or paper towel tube. Then, just let your feline friend figure out how to get them out.

Alternatively, you can also just put out a cardboard box for your kitty to explore and hang out in - we all know how much a cat loves a box!

For more helpful information on creating an indoor environment for your cat that is physically and mentally stimulating, please read our handy guide – how to keep your indoor cat happy.

Respect Your Cat's Claws

This is an important one. Many people forget that scratching is natural cat behaviour, and for you to respect your cat and provide the best cat care, you need to provide your kitty with scratching surfaces.

Pick a cat scratching post that is tall enough to allow your cat to stretch tall while scratching; cats seem to prefer to reach up and out when they scratch. This not only keeps their nails in good condition but also benefits their entire musculoskeletal system and their mental well-being.

The opposite of claw respect is declawing a cat. We now know that when cats have their claws surgically removed, they can experience pain in their toes for the rest of their life. The pain can also lead to cat physical, emotional and behavioural issues, like increased aggression. 

It is wrong to think that declawing a cat is a trivial procedure, similar to trimming fingernails. A cat's claws are a vital part of its anatomy - essential to balance, mobility, and survival.

Respect the fact that scratching is normal cat behaviour, and for this reason, don't get angry or scold your cat for doing so. Provide your cat with an alternative place to scratch as well as regular exercise and mental stimulation. 

Respect Your Cat's Space

Cats in multi-cat households cat become stressed and grumpy if they feel overcrowded. Stressed cats can develop problematic cat behaviours, such as urinating or defecating in inappropriate places. A stressed cat is also more susceptible to health issues such as bladder or stomach problems.

Cats do not instinctively enjoy sharing important resources, and when they are put in a situation where they have to do so, it can result in unnecessary stress and conflict. 

Respect your cats and their spatial needs by ensuring that each cat has their own bedding, sleeping area, food and water dishes and litter box. When it comes to litter boxes, the general rule is to have one more litter box than the number of cats in the household. This helps to ensure that the toilet never gets crowded.

Your cat should also have a place to retreat and rest where he or she won't be bothered by children, guests, other pets or the daily hustle and bustle of the household. By respecting your cat's space and their need for safe spots, you can help to create greater harmony in your home and a better quality of life for everyone.

Conclusion

Respect can take many forms. The golden rule of "treat others the way you want to be treated" is a great place to start when it comes to how you think about cat care. Respect your cat, and the respect will come back to you.

Sandra James

Owner & Founder

The Cat Butler was set up by Sandra James in recognition of the fact that a stay in a cattery can be unsettling for many cats and also their owners.