International Cat Day, celebrated on August 8th, is the purr-fect excuse to drop everything, sprawl out in a sunbeam, and honor the true monarchs of the modern age: cats. Whether they’re knocking glasses off counters with calculated precision or staring into the abyss at 3 a.m., cats have clawed their way into our homes—and hearts—with unapologetic sass and soft toe beans.
Founded in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, International Cat Day serves to raise awareness for feline welfare while also giving humans one day a year to admit what we’ve long known: we live in their world. We’re just here to scoop the litter.
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A Tail as Old as Time
Cats have been celebrated since ancient Egypt, where they were treated as divine creatures. Bastet, the feline goddess of home, fertility, and protection, would feel right at home on Instagram today—assuming she had Wi-Fi and an iPhone. Fast forward a few thousand years and these majestic creatures are still revered, but now with fewer pyramids and more TikToks.
The rise of the internet turned International Cat Day into a full-blown global sensation. From Grumpy Cat’s immortal memes to Maru the box-loving Japanese feline, cats have leveraged social media better than most human influencers. Let’s be honest: your cousin’s vacation reel doesn’t stand a chance against a video of a kitten attacking a mirror.
How to Celebrate International Cat Day Like a Pro
Now, the beauty of International Cat Day lies in its spirit of absolute laziness. In fact, you’re encouraged to do as little as possible—unless it involves spoiling your cat.
Here are some effortless ways to honor the day:
- Nap Like a Cat: Cancel your afternoon plans. Curl up somewhere soft. Nap in a contorted position and look smug about it.
- Treat Your Feline: Break out the high-end treats. Give them the tuna. Open a fresh can of wet food and let them sniff, turn away, and then eat it when you’re not looking.
- Upgrade the Throne: Whether it’s a heated bed, a cardboard box, or a mid-century modern cat tree you spent way too much money on—they deserve it.
- Capture the Moment: Snap a hundred blurry photos of your cat sleeping. Post the best one with the hashtag #InternationalCatDay. Add a pun. You know you want to.
- Watch Cat Videos: Go down the rabbit hole. Ten minutes becomes an hour. You regret nothing.
- Rotatable Extended Part: This cat tree has an additional extended part, which provides more space for cats to climb and rest. The part can be rotated at multiple angles, enabling the furniture can adapt to different spaces and offer more stable support for the cat tree tower
- 2 Extra-Large Beds +1 Top Platform: The large beds provide ample room for large breeds like Maine Coons to stretch fully. 70-inch elevated top perch satisfies cats’ instinct to survey their territory
- 2 Roomy Cat Condos: Creating dual relaxation spaces for the cat tower. while the semi-private hideaway satisfies kittens’ instinctual need for secure napping spots
- 2 Basket-Shaped hammocks: The hommock on cat house is cat’s favorite, giving kitties a feeling of been wrapped up, like sleeping in a soft cloud. There are two!
- Multi-level Design: This cat furniture is rich in functions makes it is suitable for big cat and multiple kittens family. Thanks to the clear jumping trajectory design and sisal scratching posts that make cat in all age stages can easily climb up and down
Last update on 2025-08-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fun Feline Facts You Didn’t Ask For (But Will Share Anyway)
- A cat can jump up to six times its body length. That’s like you jumping over a Prius because you heard the treat bag.
- Cats spend 70% of their lives sleeping. On International Cat Day, we should all aspire to that level of excellence.
- Each cat’s nose print is unique—like a fingerprint. If your cat ever robs a bank, this might be relevant.
- The oldest known pet cat was buried with its human in Cyprus 9,500 years ago. Cats have been freeloading off humans for millennia.
International Cat Day Is Absolutely Necessary
Let’s face it—International Cat Day is a global reminder that feline fabulousness transcends borders, cultures, and algorithms. In a world that’s constantly buzzing, cats teach us the value of stillness, curiosity, and meowing at nothing in particular for no apparent reason.
More importantly, the day highlights the need to adopt, protect, and pamper cats everywhere. Shelters are full of whiskered wonders waiting for their forever homes—and if you’re lucky, you’ll find one who tolerates your presence in exchange for food and a window perch.
International Cat Day Is the Absolutely Lazy Holiday We Deserve
So, this International Cat Day, don’t stress about productivity. Be like a cat: stretch, yawn, judge silently, and demand snacks. With the world in chaos, we need this day more than ever—a pawsitively lazy, absolutely adorable celebration of creatures who never lift a paw unless it benefits them directly.
Because cats may not rule the world officially, but on International Cat Day, they absolutely reign.
