Pet Appreciation Week always happens during the first full week in June. This celebratory week is less well known as National Pet Week, which takes place in May. However, this is a great opportunity to appreciate all that our cats do for us.
Celebrations for this week are usually small or non-existent. However, this does not mean that you can celebrate the week by pampering your cat. Taking the time to treat your cat to homemade treats, planning an outing they’ll enjoy, or just taking time to cuddle can make this week special. Our cats often don’t need much to feel loved.
Even if you don’t have a cat, you can celebrate by volunteering at a shelter or donating to a pet charity. Many rescues focus on cats specifically, and you may want to consider donating to one of them this week.
9 Ways to Celebrate Pet Appreciation Week with Your Cat
There are many ways you can celebrate this week with your cat. You’ll need to consider your cat’s specific preferences when planning a celebration. What one cat loves can absolutely terrify another cat.
Here’s a list of our favorite ideas:
1. Plan a toy hunt
Buy some new toys (preferably with catnip) and keep them around the house. Your cat will enjoy sniffing them, especially if they love catnip. If your cat is struggling, sprinkle some catnip on the toy area to give him a cue.
2. Gourmet food
Our cats often get stuck eating the same thing over and over again. Consider whipping up a special meal at some point this week. You can cook your cat food yourself or buy gourmet cat food from the store. You can find tons of cat-friendly cakes and similar recipes online.
3. Make a cardboard maze
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If your cat loves cardboard, put away your boxes for a few weeks. Then, spread them all over the floor in a big cardboard maze. For added fun, throw in some catnip and toys. A playful cat can stay entertained for time in this setup.
4. Spoil the gifts
You may also consider purchasing a customized collar or other accessories for your cat. While your cat may not appreciate them as much as you do, they can be a great way to make the week special.
5. Donate unused toys
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If you decide to buy new toys for your cat to celebrate this week, consider giving away your old ones. Cat shelters and rescues are constantly in need of new toys and would appreciate your thoughtfulness.
6. Design a photoshoot
If your cat is patient, you can set up a photoshoot and take some pictures for your cat. Use props like hats and cardboard cutouts to make your photos stand out. You can then share them on social media, encouraging others to celebrate the day.
7. Get crafting
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There are many tutorials out there for DIY cat toys. Consider making a few new toys for your cat during the week and see how they like them. If your cat doesn’t usually get new toys, this could be a good week to change that.
8. Learn more about cats
You can only take care of your cat as long as you know about cats. You can’t do or change what you don’t know! Take some time this week to learn about cats. You’ll find tons of articles on our website aimed at helping you do just that.
9. Invest in cat-friendly houseplants
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There are many types of cat-safe plants that grow well indoors, including catnip. Consider buying some of these potted plants and bringing them inside for your cat to enjoy. The best herbs grow faster, allowing your cat to enjoy them without killing the entire plant.
How Did Pet Appreciation Week Begin?
The start of this week is less documented than other national weeks. However, it is thought that some small businesses have started it online. From there, it grew as more businesses offered sales and initiatives this week.
Today, it is often confused with National Pet Week, which takes place in May. These two weeks are remarkably similar, but they occur at different times. National Pet Week also has a larger following and larger organizations that support it, while Pet Appreciation Week is more of a grassroots movement.
What are the Goals of Pet Appreciation Week?
As the name suggests, the main point of this week is to celebrate the impact cats (and other pets) have on our lives. Cats provide companionship and emotional support. However, they often don’t get the credit they deserve. Sadly, our cats aren’t with us very long, and they’re probably underappreciated while they’re here. This simple week reminds us to celebrate our cats while they’re here.
You can also use this week as a way to strengthen your relationship with your cat. There’s always something we can do better in caring for our cat, and this week could be the kick we need to make harder changes. Maybe we need to play with our cats more to help them lose a few pounds, for example.
This appreciation week also promotes responsible cat ownership. As we said above, you can only take care of your cat if you know how. This week is a good time to raise awareness of proper cat care and gain more knowledge of your cat’s needs. You can also support local shelters and rescues that work to save cats from homelessness. Advocating for animal welfare is also important, as it helps ensure that cats everywhere are properly cared for.
If you know an ethical, quality cat breeder, you can use this week as an opportunity to reach out and tell them thank you! It is only through good breeding that the next generation of cats becomes healthier.
Final Thoughts
Pet Appreciation Week is a great opportunity to celebrate your cat. This is a week to realize how important your cat is to you and do something about it! We’ve listed many ideas above, but you don’t have to do all of them. Even doing it one things can be a great way to celebrate. Don’t overwhelm yourself or your cat by trying to do too much.
Over the celebration your cat, you can also donate to shelters and other organizations that help cats in need.
