National Hug Your Cat Day - June 2024 | Spirit Of The Holidays

Despite their characteristically independent attitude, cats domesticated themselves. Millions of years ago they wandered up to human’s fires, begging for scraps, and decided to stay for the free food. Isn’t that just like a cat? In June, we smother our furry feline friends with affection they may try to escape. Welcome to National Hug Your Cat Month! May your day be full of purring, cat hair on your clothes, and face rubs on your chest.

National Hug Your Cat Day timeline

June 4, 781 BC

Black out

The oldest recorded solar eclipse is recorded on this day by the Chinese.

JJune 4, 1391

Burn it all

Ferrand Martinez led a mob to set fire to Sevil, Spain's Jewish quarter.

June 4, 1647

Just sign

King Charles I of England was seized by his own army and forced to sign the Magna Carta.

June 4, 1919

Suffrage and equality

The Women's Suffrage bill was passed in the US Senate.

June 4, 1939

Shopping carts were born

Oklahoma City's Sylvan Goldman introduced a chair on wheels to transport goods.

National Hug Your Cat Day Activities

Hug away

Yes, this is obvious, but we'd be remiss if we didn't recommend it. Get your lint roller ready, and go in. (Then, count the number of seconds until your cat tries to wriggle out of your grip.)

Volunteer at a shelter

Not everyone has a kitty of their own to hug. If you fall in this category, satisfy your hugging desires by volunteering at an animal shelter! You'll be helping cats without homes, while getting in some quality snuggle time.

Host a kitty party

Human parties are good, we guess. But cat parties are even better. So grab your friends who own cats and bring them all together for a giant kitty rager! Just make sure you have enough catnip to go around — no one likes a party foul.

Why We Love National Hug Your Cat Day

Kitties deserve the best

While friends come and go, cats will always be there, demonstrating unconditional love and affection (though they often try to hide it). Hug Your Cat Day reminds us all to give our kitties a little TLC to thank them for their friendship and loyalty. So give your kitty some snuggles — if they don't like being touched, a new scratching post will do just fine.

Friends forever

Did your coworker just invite you to a happy hour you really don't want to attend? Trying to get out of an awkward Tinder date? Not a big deal. Stay home, put your feet up and hang with your very best friend in the world.

Picture day

We know you've showed off countless pictures of your feline friend. Friends may have even asked you to slow down; if they haven't, they're very polite, and you should hold them close. But today's practically a mandate to show the world another picture of your baby. Whether you post it on Instagram or email it to your mom, go wild.

National Hug Your Cat Day Activities

Volunteer at an animal shelter

There are a lot of felines who don’t have families yet. If you are cat-less, we recommend playing with some at your local shelter. It’s a free activity guaranteed to increase your happiness, and you are helping underprivileged felines.

Look up cat GIFs on Pinterest

Many of us have a board specifically designated for the cute and the furry. Why not visit it and laugh at cute cats doing stupid things? The entire internet is already doing it.

Cuddle with your cat on the couch

Grab a cup of ice-cold lemonade, curl up with a book, and wait patiently for your cat to leap onto your lap for head rubs. We can think of no better way to escape the hot summer day.

Why We Love National Hug Your Cat Day

We get to celebrate a loyal friend

They may not always be as obviously affectionate as dogs, but it’s impossible to doubt your cat loves you. It purrs comfortingly at you after a break-up and follows you around whether or not you have food. Thick or thin, your cat will still trip you on the stairs. That’s a promise.

It’s an excuse to snuggle

Today you have an explanation for your clingy behavior. If you want, you can even offer your cat that explanation. We doubt you’ll get more than an unimpressed look, but, it’s worth a shot.

We find fellow cat-lovers

Today we unite under one fluffy banner! It’s a good day for finding fellow cat-owners and enthusiasts among your friends, family, and strangers you met on the bus. What better way to get to know someone better than bonding over cute pictures of your cat and sharing its funny mannerisms.

Also on Sat Jun 1, 2024...