March 28, 2026
On March 28th, we stop pretending we’re the bosses and lean into the reality of National Respect Your Cat Day. On this National Day, acknowledge the truth: Your cat is better than you. Well? Someone had to say it! And if you don’t believe it, just ask your feline friend!
Do you ‘own’ your cat? Or does your cat ‘own’ you?
If you answered “Yes” to the first question, you may be utterly and completely confused about the subordinate role you play in the life of your resident feline. If you said “Yes” to question #2, and have willingly resigned to to being a pushover due to unconditional love, you obviously are an experienced cat chaperone.
If you’re contemplating becoming a first time cat owner, well, good luck and have fun! Oh, and here’s some tips not only for living happily with a cat, but perhaps there’s a few ideas for all feline chaperones on how to celebrate National Respect Your Cat Day. These pointers will hopefully help you avoid catching a good swat in the process:
- Keep an open door policy in your home. Once you acknowledge that a closed door (even a bathroom door) is a personal insult to a cat, you will avoid an irritable feline. Just because a cat is hanging out in a room for a long period of time doesn’t mean they want to stay there. They like to travel freely when they choose to.
- Use a slow blink when looking at your cat. In their language, blinking slowly is the ultimate sign of respect, trust, and true friendship. If you encounter your cat while wondering through your house, stop and make intense eye contact, then offer him a slow-blink to maintain your friendship.
- Respect the nap-zones. Cats spend up to 15 hours a day napping. Let them sleep where they want. If they fall asleep on your laptop, you obviously don’t need to check your e-mail. Are they sleeping on your lap? Moving before their nap is over will cause you to get claws poking through your jeans, causing the most hideous scratch. A cat knows their worth. Let them nap.
- The petting rule. Know the difference between a “nice” pet and a “you can quit now” pet. If you want be sure your cat is up for some affection, we recommend petting the cat for about 5 seconds, then pulling your hand away. If your cat wants more, they’ll show you with a bossy nudge. If they want to be left alone, they’ll probably swat at you.
- Say your sorry. Has your cat every fallen off of a counter? Did they look at you like you pushed them? Of course you did! Cats don’t just lose their balance. You’re the problem (even if you’re not). Just say you’re sorry so they can move on with their day.
Who was the creator of National Respect Your Cat Day?
No one knows for sure. The most likely possibility is this day was founded by a cat who learned how to type while its human fell asleep on the keyboard.
Afterward …..
In addition to owning our 9 year old pit/lab ‘puppy,’ Luna, Roy and I share our home with two 12 year old indoor cats, Odo and Dax, a brother and sister we adopted as kittens from a shelter in North Carolina. When we moved to New Mexico in 2017, both cats rode in the car with me. For four long days and 2000 miles across country, the three of us ‘enjoyed’ many boisterous sing-alongs and stimulating conversations! Roy’s journey was much more peaceful!
Over the last 53+ years we’ve joyfully chaperoned ten cats total. All wonderful, all different, all lovable and unforgettable! The names of those we hold in our memories were Popeye, Poopsie, Tails, Fishbait, Darwin, Grizzz, Newt (who was our sailor cat and Captain aboard the S.V. Waterdog), and T.O.O.
Now we have Odo and Dax to carry on their legacy, and with Luna (and Flambé, of course!) we love and adore them all!
Share you cat stories, and what you do to “Respect” your feline family!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
a curious nature 