Birthdays are very special occasions. They only come around once a year, after all! Everyone, our cats included, deserves to celebrate one special day of the year. Even if you don't know your cat's exact birthday, maybe you know the day you brought your kitty home and could celebrate that day!
Cats Deserve to be Spoiled Too!
One could argue that cats are already quite spoiled. They live with us in our homes and we love them, we feed them, we play with them, and we even clean their litter boxes for them!
They do so much for us, and they may not even realize it! It has been shown that by just petting our cats for a few minutes, we can significantly reduce our stress and anxiety levels. In fact, those with cats are less likely to suffer from heart-related health issues later in life.
While cats may not all be superheroes, they do provide us with love and companionship. Our special kitties definitely deserve at least one day out of the year to be extra spoiled!
Brush your cat
Brushing your cat is one of the best ways to show them a little extra love. If your cat has a long coat, try to avoid brushing any tangled fur on their birthday! Aside from the occasional tangle or not, brushing is usually a great, calming experience for cats. Oftentimes they'll start purring right away!
Make homemade treats or food
Your cat will be sure to appreciate you if you make some homemade treats. One easy way to do this is just to use canned cat food! Put bite-sized pieces of canned food on a baking sheet in the oven, and they’ve got a crispy snack! Additionally, all sorts of easy recipes exist online that cats love, too.
Get your cat a present
What would a birthday celebration be without at least one present? It doesn't have to be anything big or fancy, just a little token to show your cat some love.
Some pet stores have cat toys that are less than a dollar! You could also get your cat a new wand toy, a new electronic toy to chase and bat around, or a new scratching post. A bag of kitty treats sure wouldn't hurt, either!
Get your cat some greens
A special treat for your cat on its birthday might just be some catnip! It's believed that cats are attracted to the odor associated with a compound called nepetalactone, which is commonly found in catnip. It can cause some cats to act playful, excited, and silly, and some cats to really mellow out.
Another thing to offer your cat would be cat grass! Cat grass is just a mixture of various kinds of grass that are usually grown safely indoors that cats like to munch on. It doesn't create any effects in cats, but it can help their digestive system get moving better.
Photo by Ludemeula Fernandes on Unsplash
Download a cat app on your smartphone or tablet
A fun activity for your cat could be letting them chase a mouse! Maybe don’t encourage them to chase one in real life, but some cats are absolutely fascinated by things moving across a screen and will try to swat and catch them.
In recent years, all sorts of games have been created, specifically for cats that can be played on your smartphone or tablet. They encourage cats to follow a little critter of some sort with their eyes, like a mouse or a butterfly as it scurries or flits across the screen. Your cat can even earn points when it swats at the screen and hits the mouse!
Take your cat on an adventure
Not all cats like going outside, but some cats may be up for an adventure! Consider getting a stroller or a backpack that you can safely put your cat in and head out for a walk or a hike. Better yet, if your cat is up for it, some can learn to walk quite well on a harness and enjoy going for walks with you around the neighborhood.
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Create more places to climb
When you're brainstorming ways to go about spoiling a cat on its birthday, one fun thing you can do is introduce a new place to climb for your cat. Maybe you already have a cat tree or some tunnels for your cat to zoom through, but some other great options can include various wall-mounted shelves. You can install wall-mounted shelves at different heights to create a vertical playground for your cat. You can make the shelves yourself or purchase them from a pet store.
Cats love to watch birds and other animals outside, so another option could be to create a window perch for your cat to relax and enjoy the view. You can purchase a window perch that suction cups to the window or create one by attaching a shelf to a windowsill with a nice view.
You can also create a ladder for your cat to climb by attaching shelves or platforms to a wooden ladder. This gives your cat a unique climbing experience and can help keep them active.
Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash
Conclusion
Spoiling your beloved feline friend on their birthday is a wonderful way to show them how much they mean to you. From indulgent treats to exciting new toys, there are many ways to make their special day unforgettable. By planning a special celebration, you can strengthen the bond between you and your furry companion and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. So go ahead and spoil your cat – they deserve it!