Hugging your stuffed animal or your partner may be comforting, but hugging your kitty is on a whole other level. Most cat owners take the time to hug their kitties regularly, if for no other reason than to bond with them. A cat hug can be quite comforting, especially on a cold winter day. All cats deserve hugs, which is one reason that a national day for hugging cats has been established on June 4. Hugging your cat, a friend’s cat, or even one living in your local humane society offers benefits for you and the feline that are worth discussing.
National Hug Your Cat Day happens to be during Adopt a Cat Month, which is the entire month of June. While hugging a cat any day of the year is encouraged, June 4 is the day that has been established to seek out a cat for the specific task of engaging in a meaningful hug.
The reason National Hug Your Cat Day is so important is that it highlights all the benefits of hugging a cat, which includes increasing the bond between you and your kitty. A hug reassures your kitty that they are safe and loved while helping you feel confident that you’re taking good care of your cat. Furthermore, hugging your cat (or one at the local shelter) can benefit your health in various ways, including recovering from an illness and reducing feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Hugging a cat also creates a sense of belonging and can help lonely people feel like they are wanted and needed. Regular hugs can even help reduce a cat’s aggressive behavior too.
It’s not just about improving your personal life experience either. Hugging a cat can help people tap into their loving and caring side, which is something that we need help with, at least occasionally. The happier and more caring we feel, the more we want to help others. The more we want to help others, the more effective we are at being an integral part of a healthy and constructive community. The healthier our communities are, the richer and more productive our own lives tend to be! For these reasons alone, it is easy to see why there is a National Hug Your Cat Day and why so many people choose to participate.
There is no specific way to celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day, aside from simply taking the time to literally hug your cat. However, if you want to spread the love or you don’t have a cat of your own, there are other ways to participate in this truly magical holiday. Consider heading to a local shelter and giving a few cats in need a reassuring hug. Remind your friends and family members to find a cat to hug sometime throughout the day. Make flyers to remind everyone in your community of the holiday and the importance of hugging a cat. Or take a photo of yourself hugging your cat and post it on social media to commemorate the special occasion. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day. As long as it involves hugging a cat, you are celebrating properly! Even if you don’t have a cat to hug, you can still spread the word about this exciting holiday and get your friends and family members to participate.
While National Hug Your Cat Day is not as well-known as holidays like the 4th of July, it can still be a major holiday in your home or community. Getting the word out about this day will also help make it more prominent in our culture. As more attention is drawn to this cat lover’s holiday, more cats will benefit from the feeling of safety, love, and security in their lives. So, mark June 4 on your calendar and commit to giving your feline friend and other cats in your life some extra love and affection through a nice, warm hug.
