If you share your home with a feline family member, they probably rule the roost all year round – but did you know that cats have an official celebration day? This year, International Cat Day falls on August 8th, and is designed as an annual celebration of one of the world’s favourite animal companions. So for pampered pusses and coddled kitties, here’s the Cosy Home guide to celebrating.
Tasty treats
Of course, nothing’s too much trouble for your feline friend, so start the day in style with these homemade treats. You’ll need a 213g tin of salmon or two 120g tins of sardines, 500g of wholewheat flour and an egg.
Put everything in a food processor, and pulse until you have a smooth dough. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too stiff, add a drop of milk. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, cut it into shapes with a cutter and put the biscuits onto a greased baking tray. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius until firm and golden, and let them cool completely before offering to Tigger.
For a special breakfast, start the day in style with scrambled eggs. Add a little butter to a pan and let it melt over a low heat before adding a egg. Surprisingly, lots of cats have an intolerance to cows’ milk so if you do add a little splash to thin the consistency then don’t go too mad! Stir the egg until scrambled, then allow to cool completely before serving. You can also add a few shreds of cold cooked salmon if you like.
Bed time
Cats sleep for around two-thirds – almost 70% – of their lives, usually spending between 13 and 16 hours of the day asleep, so a comfy bed is a must.
Personalised cat bunk bed crate, PlantaBox
Personalised cat bunk bed crate, £79.95, PlantaBox
Cats have powerful, tightly controlled muscles and fast reflexes that allow them to move quickly, and run, jump and climb with ease, so any feline will appreciate this double bunk bed. It comes with optional paw prints, mattress and ladder, is available in a wide choice of colours and can be personalised with one or more names. £79.95, available from PlantaBox.
Personalised cushioned pet bed, Getting Personal
Personalised cushioned pet bed, £24.99, Getting Personal
This cosy pet bed is purrfect for your furry feline. It’s made from very soft polyester, any features your choice of name embroidered in black font. £24.99 including personalisation up to 15 characters, available from Getting Personal.
Play time
Cats enjoy playing and it’s important for improving their motor skills, encouraging social behaviour and providing brain training. With toys ranging from lasers, where Kitty can chase a moving point of light, to traditional ball-on-a-string-type playthings, your feline friend will be spoilt for choice.
Cat scratch laptop, Suck UK
Cat scratch laptop, £20, Suck UK
If he or she has a penchant for lying on your laptop and pushing the delete button, then this funky cat scratcher should protect both your nerves and your keyboard! It comes with a scratch pad keyboard, an actual mouse (in fluffy toy form), and a customisable desktop image. £20, available from Red Candy.
If your cat is a technological troglodyte, go back to basics with these sardine and goldfish catnip toys.
Fishy catnip toys, Noah’s Ark
Fishy catnip toys, £10.99, Noah’s Ark
Filled with catnip to keep Kitty interested, these toys includes interactive feathers and internal crinkly fabric for stimulation. Set includes three sardines and two goldfish. £10.99, available from Not on the High Street.
Now, you just have to convince Tigger that their celebration day only lasts 24 hours, and it won’t be salmon for breakfast every morning!
