What Cat Holidays are in November?

Here are five great ways to celebrate cats (and our other animal friends) this month.

1. November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [ASPCA.org], senior pets are often the last pets to be adopted from a shelter. However, older cats are just as loving and loyal as younger kitties. In fact, you may find that a senior pet is a better match for you. Mature cats can provide the love and companionship you need with a “been there, done that” attitude.[Find the Right Cat for You] Mature cats are more likely to settle into a home more quickly than younger cats. [ASPCA.org] Every cat deserves a forever home. When you’re ready to adopt, consider a senior cat. 😺

2. November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month.

What’s the number one disease-related cause of pet death in the United States? It’s cancer. Sadly, cancer affects almost one in five cats and one in four dogs.[PetNestAnimalHospital.com]

What are the symptoms of cancer in cats? The folks at PetNestAnimalHospital.com list these symptoms as possible cancer symptoms.

- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Breathing difficulties
- Lumps that grow or won’t go away
- Unhealing sores
- Foul odor from the body or mouth
- Blood in urine or from any bodily opening
- Difficulty passing stool or urine
- Problems chewing or swallowing
- Lethargy or reluctance to exercise
- Unexplained behavior problems

Be sure to see your veterinarian right away if your furball shows any of these symptoms.

3. November is Pet Diabetes Month.

Pet cats are also at risk for diabetes [Pet Diabetes Month]. Between 0.2 % and 1 % of cats are diagnosed with the disorder [Vet.cornell.edu].

How can I tell if my cat has diabetes? Look for these symptoms:

- - - lethargy
    - excessive thirst
    - and frequent urination

What are the risk factors for diabetes in cats?

Overweight cats are up to four times more likely to get diabetes than cats who are at a healthy weight [Vet.cornell.edu]. The most common risk factors for a cat to develop diabetes include:

- - - obesity
    - older age
    - physical inactivity
    - male gender
    - and giving your cat steroids [Vet.cornell.edu]

How can I decrease my cat’s risk for getting diabetes? To help prevent diabetes, don’t overfeed your cat. Keep him at a healthy weight and active through daily play [Vet.cornell.edu]. Learn more at Vet.cornell.edu.

4. The First Full Week of November is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

The Humane Society of the United States has designated the first full week of November as National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

In the United States, there are approximately 6–8 million animals in humane shelters waiting for their forever home. Sadly, only about half of shelter pets are adopted. Sixty-three percent of American households include pets. However, fewer than 20 percent of pets in the US came from shelters.[PBS.com]

Shelter employees work tirelessly to care for and provide a safe haven for animals. Shelter workers are heroes who help animals and our communities by:

- - - ensuring that as few pets as possible are euthanized
    - reuniting lost pets with their families
    - helping to investigate cruelty and neglect situations
    - spaying and/or neutering animals to help prevent overpopulation
    - and educating the public about proper animal care [humanesociety.org]

How can I celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week? To celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, you could:

1. offer to volunteer at your local animal shelter

2. donate to your local shelter

3. or, just visit your local shelter and say “thanks” to those who dedicate their time to protect animals.

5. November 12th is World Animal Enrichment Day.

Animal behaviorist Sarah-Jane White understood that animals are thinking beings with emotional needs. She designated World Animal Enrichment Day. Dr. White describes animal enrichment as the process of providing animals with mental and physical stimulation to enhance their well-being and quality of life by allowing them to express their natural behaviors [see more at www.rufflesnuffle.co.uk.

World Animal Enrichment Day aims to encourage all animal caretakers to share their enrichment ideas for animals. Caretakers include pet parents as well as those who profit from animals.

Many thoughtless humans who run kitty mills, dog mills, and farms often keep animals in cruel and emotionally abusive conditions:

- - For example, milk cows and mother pigs on farms are kept in enclosures so small that they cannot turn around and are left to stand in their own feces.
  - Other farm animals may be kept in crowded, unsanitary stalls without enough light, space, or ventilation.
  - They may be abused by overuse of antibiotics, vaccines, and methods of forced growth.[encyclopedia.uia.org]

These emotionally and physically abusive conditions need to change. Organizations like worldanimalprotection.org are working to protect animals from cruel conditions.

How can I celebrate World Animal Enrichment Day?

A great way to celebrate World Animal Enrichment Day is to get involved with or donate to worldanimalprotection.org. You can also start at home by enriching the environment of your own pets. Find ideas from our featured cat video channel, Melocat.

Have a suggestion? Send us a message via our Contact Us page.

HELPFUL REFERENCES:

Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Diabetes. Downloaded October 2023 from https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-diabetes#:
Inadequate Animal Husbandry. Downloaded October 2023 from http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/problem/inadequate-animal-husbandry#
PBS (Public Broadcasting Station). National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Downloaded October 2023 from https://www-tc.pbs.org/parents/martha/pdf/MarthaHA_NationalAnimalAppreciationWeek.pdf
PetNest Animal Hospital (2021). November Is Pet Cancer Awareness Month: Do You Know the Signs? Downloaded October 2023 from https://petnestanimalhospital.com/blog/november-is-pet-cancer-awareness-month-do-you-know-the-signs
World Animal Enrichment Day. Downloaded October 2023 from https://www.rufflesnuffle.co.uk/world-animal-enrichment-day-november-12/
World Animal Protection. About Us. Downloaded October 2023 from https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/about-us