Want to celebrate cat holidays in January? Below is a complete guide to January cat holidays & how to celebrate
by Mewla Young 11 jan 2026
January cat holidays include Happy Mew Year’s Day (January 2), National Pet Travel Safety Day (January 2), Kiss-a-Ginger-Cat Day (January 12), National Dress Up Your Pet Day (January 14), National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day (January 22), Change a Pet’s Life Day (January 24), and Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day (January 29).
Looking for fun ways to celebrate your cat in the new year?
January is packed with unique cat holidays that give cat lovers like us the perfect excuse to appreciate cats. spoil our feline friends, promote pet safety.
Below is a list of January cat holidays, along with meaningful and fun ways to celebrate each one.
January 2 is Happy Mew Years Day (For Cats).
Don’t put away that champagne just yet! January 2 is Happy Mew Year’s Day, a playful holiday celebrating cats as they ring in the “Mew Year.” According to https://wellcat.com, cats everywhere are starting the year fresh—and we’re happy to celebrate right along with them.
How to celebrate:
Treat your cat to a new toy or special treat
Schedule a wellness check or grooming session
Set positive intentions for your cat’s health and happiness in the new year
January 2 is National Pet Travel Safety Day.
Also on January 2, National Pet Travel Safety Day highlights the importance of keeping pets safe while traveling. For example, many people don’t realize that cats that roam freely in a car can distract drivers, escape during stops, or be injured in an accident. Here’s how to keep cats safe.
Travel safety tips for cats:
Always transport cats in a secure carrier
Never allow cats to roam freely in a moving vehicle
Use a crash-tested pet carrier
Never leave cats unattended in vehicles
Bring familiar bedding to reduce stress
Helpful tips and resources can be found at www.merrickpetcare.com.
January 12 is Kiss a Ginger Cat Day.
Known for their bold personalities and affectionate nature, ginger (orange tabby) cats get their own special holiday on January 12.
Your friends at MewlaYoung.com came up with the idea for Kiss a Ginger Cat Day as a feline spin-off of the human “Kiss a Ginger Day.”
Watch how Kiss a Ginger Cat Day is celebrated in the Cuddling Cats’ household.
Fun Ginger Cat Facts:
Only about 2% of humans have natural red hair
In contrast, 10–15% of domestic cats are ginger.
- Archaeological discoveries show that humans with red hair lived in ancient Greece and Asia.
Ginger cats, on the other hand, date back to ancient Egypt.
Celebrate by giving your ginger cat extra cuddles, treats, and photos—and be sure to watch how Kiss a Ginger Cat Day is celebrated in the Cuddling Cats household.
January 14 is National Dress Up Your Pet Day.
Founded in 2009 by celebrity animal behaviorist Colleen Paige, National Dress Up Your Pet Day encourages fun—but only when your pet is comfortable.
Cats should never be forced into costumes. If your cat tolerates dress-up, keep it brief and reward them generously.
Cat costume safety tips:
Avoid tight, hot, or restrictive outfits
Choose lightweight accessories
Watch for signs of stress
Remove costumes immediately if your cat seems uncomfortable
For more guidance and tips, visit https://www.metrovetchicago.com or read Ginger Grrrl’s article on cat-costume-tips.
January 22 is National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day.
The wellcat.com folks came up with this interesting cat holiday (https://wellcat.com/pages) When you look at cats, many times you may notice a questioning look in their eyes.
Answer Your Cat’s Question Day encourages you to imagine what your cats might be inquiring about, and answer them! (https://wellcat.com/pages)
Is your cat asking:
“Is it dinner time yet?”
“Where did you go all day?”
“Why do you look stressed?”
This holiday encourages cat owners to slow down, observe, and engage with their cats. You might be surprised how much your cat seems to understand.
January 24 is Change a Pet’s Life Day.
Change a Pet’s Life Day is dedicated to helping animals in need and encouraging pet adoption. There are many ways to celebrate!
Ways to celebrate:
Adopt from a shelter
Foster a cat
Donate supplies or funds
Volunteer at a rescue
For more ideas on how to make a difference, visit https://maarcadopt.org.
Watch for fun facts you may not know about tuxies, starring tuxedo Chi.
January 29 is Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day.
Tuxedo cats—known for their black-and-white “formalwear”—are celebrated on January 29.
Here’s some ways to celebrate:
- Give a tuxedo cat extra pets and treats
- Post photos of tuxies
- Watch a video to learn some tuxie facts!
Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day is just one of three holidays we have to celebrate tuxedo cats (https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/tuxedo-cat-facts/). The others take place each year on September 9 and October 29.
Final Thoughts: Celebrate Cats All January Long
January cat holidays offer fun, meaningful ways to strengthen your bond with your cat while promoting safety, awareness, and compassion. Whether you’re kissing a ginger cat, answering imaginary questions, or helping a shelter animal, every celebration makes the month better—for cats and humans alike. 
