Your cat is more than just an animal; they’re your furry companion and a part of the family. Naturally, this means you want to celebrate and spoil them on special days like their birthday.
However, your cat probably doesn’t know that the day is different from any other, and they probably don’t care either.
Don’t let this deter you, though! Celebrate your feline friend’s rotation around the sun in style and make them feel special, even if they don’t know why. Here are nine fun things you can do on your cat’s birthday.
1. Throw a Cat-Themed Party
Who says birthday parties are just for children? There’s absolutely nothing stopping you from having a special get-together to celebrate your four-legged friends.
You could keep it simple and only involve your household in the celebrations. However, you also have the option of throwing a cat-themed party and inviting your friends and family to join in, as long as you don’t overwhelm your kitty. You can serve cat-inspired party foods, have a cake with candles, and shower your pet with love and attention. Your cat might even score some cool gifts!
2. Bake a Cat-Friendly Cake
Everybody deserves a cake on their birthday. Take the time to make a delicious, cat-friendly birthday cake for your pet to enjoy on their special day.
Make sure the cake is made with only pet healthy ingredients and nothing that might make them sick. Some ideas include pureed pumpkin, mashed potatoes, or peanut butter. You could also keep it simple by using shredded chicken or tuna fish and some shredded cheese, molding them into the shape of a cupcake, and placing a birthday candle on top!
3. Pick the Purrfect Present
A birthday gift is a must for a well-rounded celebration. Spend some time thinking about a gift that will light up your cat’s life or bring some excitement to their day.
Your gift might be a bag of their all-time favorite treats, some catnip, or a buffet of their favorite foods. However, if you want to get something that will last longer, some ideas could be a cozy new bed, a drinking water fountain, or a selection of fun toys to keep them entertained.
4. Organize a Feline Photoshoot
Being a pet parent is special, but we often forget to document the milestones of their little lives. Organizing a photoshoot for your cat will be an awesome way to commemorate their birthday and their place in your life.
Get a professional pet photographer to come by on their birthday and take some snazzy shots. A few portraits and photographs of you and your cat together will be great to frame, hang on the wall, use as your smartphone wallpaper, and look back on in the years to come.
5. Have a Catnip Session
We all know that catnip is kind of like a drug to our feline friends. Just like you might pop a bottle of champagne on your birthday to let loose and have fun, let your pet indulge and relax with some catnip on theirs!
Catnip is a completely safe and natural herb that can have varying effects on a cat. When your cat smells catnip, it acts as a stimulant, giving them a boost of playful energy. However, if they ingest it, it can act as a sedative, making for a relaxed and sleepy cat.
6. Cook Your Cat’s Favorite Foods
We all know the importance of maintaining a healthy diet year-round. However, letting loose on your birthday and enjoying some of your favorite treats is a must.
So long as you don’t feed them anything that might make them sick, feeding your cat some of their favorite “human foods” is a great idea for their birthday. This might be eggs, steak, rice, or even some fruit snacks and veggies. A break from their usual kibble diet and allowing them to feel like they’ve managed to steal a nibble from your bowl will be good fun for them.
7. Give Your Cat a Spa Day
Very few people would turn down the idea of a spa day treat for their birthday, and you can offer a similarly relaxing experience to your kitty!
While a bubble bath and a session with the pet brush aren’t going to be particularly enjoyable, there are other ways you can groom your cat and pamper them. For example, a gentle massage using cat-safe oils can help relieve sore muscles and make them feel fabulous. You can also treat them with some paw butter, nose balm, or even a moisturizer to bring life to their skin and fur.
8. Take Them on an Adventure
We all take our dogs out for regular walks, visits to the dog park, and even pet-friendly cafe runs. How often do our feline friends get to see the light of day?
For many cats, unfamiliar environments might be stressful or even frightening. However, if you have an adventurous cat who loves to explore, it might be a great idea to buy them a harness and take them outside for a long walk in nature. They might also enjoy a quick and safe park visit. However, make sure your cat is microchipped and monitor their response to being away from home – take them back to safety if they seem uncomfortable.
9. Donate to a Charity
A final idea is to celebrate your cat’s birthday for a good cause. Instead of spending money on toys and treats (because let’s be real, you’re treating them daily, anyway!), consider donating that money to a charity in your cat’s honor.
Pick a local cat shelter, dog rescue, or animal charity that really speaks to you and donate some cash, toys, blankets, or food. You can even reach out to your friends and family over on your social media pages and ask them to chip in as a gift to your beloved cat.
