Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert Colleen Paige created National Cat Day in 2005 to remind us of all the cats that need to be rescued yearly and motivate us to appreciate our feline friends more. Adopting a pet is always encouraged over buying one. It’s not just an affordable option; it’s a gratifying experience that guarantees an animal has been saved from loneliness or possible euthanasia. The bond that forms between owner and pet through adoption is substantial and deeply rewarding. Animals seem to recognize that they’ve been rescued and brought to a loving home, and the joy of cat ownership is a unique and rewarding experience.

Cats are notorious for their hilariously curious personalities. They are generally small and simple to care for. They don’t need much room, can stay indoors, and are satisfied with a food source and litter box. Cats appear more interested in the cardboard box their toy came in than the toy itself! Whether they’re knocking your pencils off the counter or chasing your hair ties underneath the couch, cats find endless ways to keep themselves entertained.

Contrary to a common misconception, house cats are not solitary creatures. Despite their elusive demeanor, cats are actually a social species. Feral cats naturally congregate in what are called cat colonies. Forming groups is an ideal survival strategy for cats, allowing them to collectively ensure a safe territory to sleep, hunt, and rear their young. Whether they live outside or inside, cats mark their territory using scent glands on their faces, paws, and rear. Cats will know if they are in the right or wrong territory based on scent. When a cat rubs its cheeks against the furniture, it marks its territory and communicates it is comfortable in the home. When a cat rubs against humans, it is displaying affection. Understanding this unique social aspect of cats can help us feel more connected and empathetic toward our feline friends.

Although the housecat can live alone with its humans, it might need regular moments of affectionate attention depending on its personality. Taking a few minutes out of our day to pet or play with our animals can maintain their happiness. And because cats bathe themselves, they are sometimes thought not to require regular grooming care. But when cats bathe themselves, they’re licking saliva all over their bodies and swallowing some of their fur, resulting in fur balls. Your household and cat’s overall well-being will benefit from occasional light grooming. Plenty of dry-bath options exist for cats who aren’t partial to water baths, such as wipes and no-rinse cleansers.

Pet owners tend to joke that their pets chose them, but cats quite literally decided to live amongst humans millennia ago. Domesticating animals usually involves a carefully controlled environment, but cats uniquely became one of the world’s most popular pets without direct human intervention. Experts’ most educated hypothesis is that cats dug through trash and pursued mice and rats that lived on farms, eventually becoming comfortable around humans.

The house cat’s ancestor is the African Wildcat, or Felis silvestris lybica, and most of the DNA between these species remains nearly identical. The African Wildcat hails from the Fertile Crescent region. Their domestication likely began during the Neolithic and Classical periods, most notably in Ancient Egypt. Archaeologists found the remains of an 8-month-old cat buried next to a human grave on the island of Cyprus, dating back approximately 9,500 years ago. This remarkable find indicates that cats spread across the world on ships and boats. Despite a long, interwoven history between humans and cats, house cats are considered semi-domesticated pets. Almost any cat owner could tell you about their cat’s wild side!

National Cat Day is a notable reminder of the importance of rescuing and appreciating our feline companions. Adoption provides a second chance for cats in need, enriching their lives and ours in return. Understanding cats’ social nature and unique personalities can deepen our relationships with our furry friends. Their quality of life depends on us. We can maintain their livelihood by providing affection, maintaining their well-being, and recognizing their wild roots. And together, the bond between cats and humans provides companionship and happiness for both parties.

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