International Cat Day was created in 2002 by The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), one of the world’s leading charities dedicated to animal welfare and conservation. The aim of the day is to celebrate the joy and companionship that cats bring to our lives, while also raising awareness about their welfare needs. International Cat Day, celebrated every year on August 8, encourages responsible cat ownership, including proper care, regular veterinary visits, and spaying or neutering. Additionally, the day promotes the adoption of cats from shelters to help reduce the number of homeless cats.
International Cat Day is definitely the biggest cat-themed day in August, the only other cat-specific day being National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day (August 22). The biggest cat day of the year, however, is National Cat Day (October 29). For a full list of cat-themed days, you can read our article about national days for cat lovers.
When is International Cat Day?
Here is a table for International Cat Day dates up to the year 2030, including the weekday for each date:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Thursday, August 8 |
| 2025 | Friday, August 8 |
| 2026 | Saturday, August 8 |
| 2027 | Sunday, August 8 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, August 8 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, August 8 |
| 2030 | Thursday, August 8 |
Cat Day Hashtags
Knowing what hashtags to use on social media is easy when you know them! Here’s a list of suitable cat-themed hashtags you can use on International Cat Day:
- #InternationalCatDay
- #WorldCatDay
- #CatDay
- #CatsOfInstagram
- #CatLovers
- #CatLife
- #InstaCat
- #CatLove
- #FelineFriends
- #HappyCatDay
- #PurrfectDay
- #CatsRule
- #CatCuddles
- #CatMom
- #CatDad
- #Meow
- #CatLoversUnite
- #CatsOfTheWorld
- #PawsAndWhiskers
- #FurryFelines
- #CatCommunity
- #CatAppreciation
Fun Cat Facts
People love animal facts, so why not use some of these in your social media posts next International Cat Day?
- A cat can jump up to five times its own height in a single bound. This incredible agility is due to their powerful leg and back muscles and flexible spine.
- Cats have a unique “righting reflex” that allows them to survive falls from great heights by always landing on their feet. This reflex is enabled by their inner ear balance organs and flexible bodies.
- Cats have up to 100 different vocalizationsāmore than dogs, which have about 10. These sounds include purrs, meows, hisses, and growls, each with different meaningsā.
- Cats sleep up to 70 percent of their lives. This extensive sleep is necessary for their energy-intensive hunting behavior in the wildā.
- A cat’s nose print is unique, much like a human fingerprint. This means that no two cats have the same nose pattern, which can be used to identify themā.
- Owning a cat can lower cholesterol and reduce high blood pressure. Studies show that cat owners often have lower stress levels and better overall healthā.
Famous Cats
Cats have held a special place in our hearts and culture for centuries, leaving their paw prints across history and pop culture alike. For instance, Stubbs, the cat who served as the honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, from 1997 until 2017, is a testament to the unique roles cats can play in communities.
In the world of literature, The Cheshire Cat from Lewis Carrollās Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland stands out with his enigmatic grin and philosophical musings. Meanwhile, Garfield, the lasagna-loving and Monday-hating feline from Jim Davisās comic strip, has become a beloved character known for his humor and laziness.
Television and film have also showcased unforgettable feline personalities. Tom, from the classic cartoon series Tom and Jerry, is perpetually embroiled in a comedic and endless chase with Jerry the mouse. On the other hand, Salem Saberhagen from Sabrina the Teenage Witch entertains with his sarcastic wit and magical mishaps.
In the realm of the internet, cats like Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce) and Lil Bub have captured global attention. Grumpy Cat’s perpetually displeased expression turned her into an internet sensation, while Lil Bubās unique appearance and health challenges endeared her to millions of fans.
Historically, cats like Unsinkable Sam, who survived the sinking of three ships during World War II, showcase their remarkable survival instincts. Additionally, Tama, the stationmaster cat at Kishi Station in Japan, significantly boosted tourism and saved the station from closure, highlighting the positive impact cats can have on local economies and communities.
Even in animation, cats have made their mark. Hello Kitty, created by Sanrio, has become a global icon known for her cute design and extensive merchandise.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
