National Cat Day

Covering Everything You Need To Know About Cats And The Holiday That Honors & Celebrates Them

People often say that dogs are a man’s best friend. However, the same can be said about cats! Cats are adorable, useful to have around the house, and have been known to have positive effects on their owners’ health. Cats are such amazing creatures, that there is an entire holiday dedicated to them. October 29th is annually celebrated for being National Cat Day. This article will discuss everything about cats including their history, why they make such great pets, and how you can celebrate National Cat Day.

Humans & Cats

The unique relationship between humans and cats goes back about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. The oldest potentially domesticated cat fossils can be found in a place called The Fertile Crescent (modern day west Asia). The Fertile Crescent is one of the earliest known human civilizations to date. The cat fossils found there belonged to a species known as the Felis silvestris, a.k.a. The European Wildcat. Surprisingly, these fossils were found in a human grave. This led researchers to theorize that these wildcats and the people of the Fertile Crescent co-existed and even formed bonds of friendship.

Both archaeologists and scientists have spent many years piecing together the origins of human and cat relationships. International Cat Care reports that scientists, through genetic analysis, have confirmed that all modern day domesticated cats share almost identical DNA with the Felis silvestris. In short, this means that the Felis silvestris was the first domesticated cat in human history.

A Mutually Beneficial Friendship

It is believed that at the Fertile Crescent humans first began to abandon their nomadic lifestyle. They instead adopted a more permanent lifestyle based around agriculture. While farming the land had its benefits, it also had its downsides. Farming crops ultimately led to a surplus of food. This then led to the need for storing the various vegetables, fruits, and grains that were harvested. These stockpiles of food attracted rodents and vermin who would pick away and eat the caches of food. Consequently, the rodents and vermin attracted the European Wildcat as well.

The European Wildcat was a natural born predator. So, where the rodents went, the wildcat went. The European Wildcats quickly found themselves attracted to these early agricultural civilizations as they would hunt and feed upon the nearby rodents and vermin. The humans of these early agricultural civilizations noticed how effective these wildcats were at hunting and detering vermin from their crops and stored foods. They then began feeding and providing shelter for these wildcats. Thus, the mutually beneficial relationship between humans and cats was formed.

Cats Make Great Pets

The two most popular pets in America are dogs and cats. According to The Zebra, exactly 25.4% of U.S. households own cats. That equals out to be more than 58 million registered pet cats! Cats are a beloved and valued pet in the U.S. for many reasons. They are relatively low-maintenance and are the optimal pet for people with busy lives. They don’t require routine bathroom breaks like dogs and they don’t need much space either. Additionally, they don’t require routine grooming or training the way dogs do. They are overall pretty self-sufficient. Lastly, they are ridiculously cute! Cats are the perfect companion to have for snuggling on the couch or keeping you warm in bed at night. Did we mention how cute they are?

Celebrating National Cat Day

National Cat Day takes place on October 29th and we encourage you to celebrate too! There are many different ways you can observe National Cat Day. If you don’t already have a cat, then consider adopting one! However, being a pet owner is a big responsibility. So, only adopt if you have the time and resources to do so. If you already have a cat, then show them some extra love! Try buying them some tasty treats, a new toy, or just spend a little extra time with them. Additionally, you can observe this amazing holiday by spreading the word about National Cat Day on social media. Be sure to share this article too!

Lastly, you can observe National Cat Day by donating money, or supplies to your local animal shelter. Most animal shelters are always in need of more pet food, pet toys, blankets, and towels. Additionally, you can also volunteer your time at your local animal shelter to help care for some cats in need. Every minute spent volunteering can make a huge difference in a shelter cat’s life.

Looking For A Pet Sitter?

Are you or someone you know looking for a pet sitter? Here at Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting, we treat your pets as if they were our own and provide them with the love and affection they deserve. We are bonded, insured, and offer a wide variety of pet sitting services. We proudly serve the following North Carolina towns and zip codes: Apex, NC (27502, 27523, 27539), Cary, NC (27511, 27513, 27518, 27519) and Morrisville, NC (27560). Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 919-372-5985. We look forward to hearing from you soon!