Article by Daniel Richardson, editor at www.tuxedo-cat.co.uk
The 28th of March is a very important date in the cat calendar. It is ‘Respect Your Cat’ day. So in preparation for this day we have put together some tips and tricks you can try out to help you show respect to your cat and help build a healthier relationship with them.
1. Learn to Speak Cat
Learning how to properly respect your cat starts with understanding how your cat communicates. Learning the different nuances of your cat’s body language will help you understand if your cat is feeling stressed or unhappy. This will allow you to take steps to remove whatever it is that is upsetting them.
2. Let Your Cat Behave Like a Cat
It’s no good shouting at your cat every time they try and scratch the sofa, they’re a cat. That’s what cats do by instinct. Repeatedly shouting at your cat won’t change anything. It will just cause them unnecessary stress and they will just continue that behavior when you are out!
Instead provide creative outlets for these natural instincts such as plenty of scratching pads and posts, exciting toys and cat shelves and sitting spots that they can enjoy.
3. Take Them To The Vet – Even If They Don’t need To Go
If your cat would speak it would tell you that taking it to the vet is the greatest disrespect you can give any cat!
However cats epitomise the phrase ‘Stiff Upper Lip’! If your cat is feeling weak or unwell they will do a great job of hiding it from you. So (unfortunately for your cat) it is crucial that you respect your cats health by booking them a yearly checkup with the vet even if they seem in perfect health.
4. Keep The Cat Food Flowing
Cats love the familiar; familiar places, familiar smells, familiar people and familiar routines. Ensuring that your cats are fed at the same times everyday is a great way of ensuring that they do not get anxious or stressed out due to being uncertain when or where their next meal is coming from.
5. Keep it Clean
Cats are clean animals and just like us they like their toilet to be clean. Nobody likes to find an unflushed poop in the toilet, neither does your cat!
Making sure the litter box is as clean as soon as possible is a great way of keeping your cat happy while also ensuring that your home doesn’t stink too!
6. Give them their space
Cats like to have their own personal safe space that they can go to for some peace and quiet from time to time.
If your home is a very busy place it is a great idea to make a little hidey hole for them like a box on top of the fridge or somewhere high up where they feel they can’t be seen is ideal.
7. Brush Them
It doesn’t matter what type of coat your cat has, every cat loves a good brush. A quality brush scratches all their itches and feels great…just make sure you avoid the belly!
It also helps keep your cats coat clean, tidy, and knot free. It’s a great way of showing your cat that you care for them.
8. Maybe a Massage Too
Did you know that giving a cat a massage can stimulate the release of cytokines? These are chemicals which trigger the release of endorphins which will help soothe your cat and can also act as pain relief!
Giving your cat a nice massage is a sure-fire way to show them your respect and help get your cat super chill.
If you’re not sure how to start massaging your cat try some of the ideas in the video below:
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqtZQcn8Ll0
9. Blinkered Vision
Slow blinks are a cats way of saying that they trust you. You may notice that your cat does this to other cats it is friends with and humans too.
One easy way to show your cat you trust and respect them is to return the favor and give them nice slow blinks back so that they know the trust is mutual!
10. A Tempting Treat
Most cats (admittedly not all) LOVE a bit of catnip! Simply sprinkle a bit of catnip in an old sock, tie it up and let your cat do the rest.
There are few better ways to reward your cat for being your favourite feline pet on respect your cat day than letting them get loose with their favourite herb!
We hope this list has given you some ideas of new ways you can show your cat some respect and love on Respect Your Cat day – the 28th March. Thanks for reading!
Did you enjoy this post? If you want to check out more great content about tuxedo cats by Daniel Richardson, visit his blog Tuxedo Cat!
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How do you plan to show your cat some respect on Respect Your Cat day? Comment and share your thoughts below!
I love everything about this post, my cats fully approve! I do massage some of our cats, I’m not sure if I’m doing it right but they love it. It’s a kind of cat-flexology of the toe beans lol.
Thank you. Happy to share this great post.
My cats have always thought “respect your cat day” was every day lol. Nala loved her own space, me, chicken, clean toilet, sunning and massages by me on her strict terms.
Ah yes. Your cats are treated like royalty.
I didn’t know about “respect your cat day” and I never heard about it before. It looks an extraordinary thought. We must respect each and every animal on our planet.
Agree
I never heard of “Respect Your Cat Day,” but certainly I think cats deserve (and most demand) respect! All of the things you mentioned are great ways to show a cat how special and appreciated it is.
Beth,
Happy to share this great post from Daniel!
Such a helpful article. I’ve never had my own cat but I’m thinking of getting one in the future, so these tips are super helpful as I start learning about bringing a kitty into my life.
Glad you found it helpful for the future!
I’m not a fan of cats but this is a very sweet blog post. I appreciate you looking out for your cat and trying to understand him/her…. It’s not easy to understand another species, so good for you!
Thanks Mishu!
Thank you for sharing this article! Mom Paula says she gives us enough respect for hundreds of cats. Seriously, it’s important to take time to make sure your cat(s) is comfortable and respected.
Agree with your mom for sure! Happy to share.
Thank you so much for a great article. Can you believe our mom forgot to post about this? Well, maybe we should, anyway. We love your graphic.
Thank you! Oh don’t get on mom about it too much. There are so many holidays to remember and still growing! Hope you enjoyed your day!
I love the “give them space” part. That’s true even of dogs. My wee fella has a cat pod. You seen these? They are made of felt. It’s like a large (in our case grey) egg with a whole on top. Nice and soft. Like a cave. I did not know Chihuahua’s like caves… but they do! But all the dog ones were too big for his 3.5 pound self. So I got the cat one. He loves it! and we ALL know (I tell guests too) that when he is in there – it’s his alone time. NEVER reach in to get him, pet him … that’s his “me place”. He needs it. Just like we do.
Sonja,
Yes I’ve heard and seen a few cat pods but love that your dog can find use for it too. Yes, they are so like humans at times it’s funny!
Wonderful tips here!! I love trying to learn to communicate with our animal friends better.
(YAYDog Clare)
Thanks!
My cat trio approves this post! They used it as a checklist and think that I’m doing pretty well. But I have been asked to start giving them massages. 🙂
🙂
Fantastic post and so true with what you say. Love it love it love it and I wish I had known some of the points you made when I had cats. Thanks so much
Ruth,
Happy to share this great post! Glad you liked these ideas.
I wanted to learn about the TT Massage. Wellington Touch I think it is. It’s not ‘massage’ but a beneficial touch that works with all animals (I think).
I think you hit the spot with 100% of these tips. Well done!
Thanks Marjorie. Happy to share this great guest post. 🙂
These were some great tips. Our cat Sushi gets respect everyday because my husband has spoiled the little diva. She loves to be massaged around her neck. But she hates going to the vet, her nails need to be clipped now which she won’t let us do it. So off the vet we go very soon.
😉
What? WHAT? Are you tellin’ me that today is Respect Your Cat Day? I NEVER KNEW!
Of all the moused-up things the peeps have ever done, this has GOT to be the worst. Bet Peep #1 kept this info from me, intentionally. Bet she did that, for sure.
Methinks the pee and I are gonna need to have a little chat ’bout this. MOUSES!
LOL. I’m sure your human didn’t even know. Give them a break this time around. MOUSES! 🙂
YAY I do all of these! I have been remiss about brushing Cody (he is short-haired so it isn’t as big of a deal) but…it IS IMPORTANT bonding time and he LOVES being brushed! Gotta grab that boy and brush him today!
Caren,
Yes! Dusty and Precious used to love brushing time. They would lean into it. Does Cody do the same?
Awesome tips! Never really knew about the massage, seems like a great idea. On the cat language; learnt some and still learning. And yea, catnip has no effect on my cats well probably because of her age cause I read once it works mostly from a particular age upwards.
Tomi,
True! Catnip works but sometimes your cat may just not care too much or lack the energy to be bothered. I know what you mean! However, most cats love scratching behind their ears. They’ll lean into it too. Or give the massage a try. Good luck!
There’s some good tips here – I often share a slow blink with my Lola cat.
Thanks Jon! Yes I love the slow blink! Lots of love there. 🙂