by Mewla Young
We have some fun and important ways to celebrate cats this month.
September is a special month for cats and animal lovers alike. From celebrating feline happiness and coat colors to raising awareness about animal pain and professional pet care, these September cat holidays offer important ways to support cats’ physical, emotional, and well-being from head to paw.
In September, we celebrate Happy Cat Month, Animal Pain Awareness Month, Ginger Cat Appreciation Day (September 1), National White Cat Day (September 5 ), Tuxie Cat Appreciation Day (September 9), Beckoning Cat Day (September 29), and Pet Sitter Education Month.
September is Happy Cat Month
September is officially Happy Cat Month. The holiday was created by the CATalyst Council [1], a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for cats and the people who care for them.
Happy Cat Month [2] focuses on cats’ physical and mental health, encouraging guardians to learn more about enrichment, stress reduction, and preventive veterinary care.
👉 Learn more about Happy Cat Month and feline well-being at the CATalyst Council website.
Learn about the CATalyst Council’s mission from this interview with Dr. Jane Brunt, DVM, one of its founders.
September is Pain Awareness Month
Cats often hide pain. This means people often don’t notice when cats are ill or in pain. Animal Pain Awareness Month is recognized each September by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management [3]. The organization has a great website to help people recognize the subtle signs of pain in animals.
Celebrate Pain Awareness Month by learning about and letting others know about the signs of pain in cats.
Signs include:
- Changes in mood, especially increased irritability
- Lowered appetite or changes in eating habits
- Less jumping, playing, or grooming
- Hiding more than usual
- Use this helpful checklist to review the other ways cats may show their pain [4]
September 1 is Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
Celebrate Ginger cats by watching a video.
Ginger Cat Appreciation Day was founded by a Wisconsin software engineer in 2014 to pay tribute to his longtime companion, Doobert.[4]
Celebrate by kissing a ginger cat, sharing photos, or by clicking on this video about ginger cats.
In addition to honoring our spicy red-headed cats on the first, we also celebrate two other cat colors in September…
September 5 is National White Cat Day
National White Cat Day honors one of the rarest coat colors in the feline world. White fur is caused by a gene that masks other coat colors, and only about 5% of cats have solid white coats.
Celebrate the holiday by kissing a white cat, sharing photos, or by clicking on this video about white cats.
Celebrate white cats on National White Cat Day.
September 9 is Tuxie Cat Appreciation Day
Celebrate tuxedo cats on Tuxie Cat Appreciation Day.
Tuxedo (or tuxie) cats are known for their distinctive two-tone coats that often resemble formalwear. While black-and-white is the most common combination, tuxedo cats can also be gray-and-white, brown-and-white, or even orange-and-white. Tuxies also have white whiskers, adding to their debonair appearance.[6]
Celebrate Tuxie Cat Day by kissing a tuxedo cat, sharing photos, or by clicking on our video about tuxie cats.
September 29 is Beckoning Cat Day
Beckoning Cat Day, also known as Maneki-Neko Day, celebrates the iconic Japanese figurines often mistaken for waving cats. In Japanese culture, the raised paw actually represents a beckoning gesture, symbolizing good fortune and welcome.[6]
Maneki-neko statues date back centuries in Japan. One legend tells the possible origin of the waving cats. According to the story, a cat saved a lord by beckoning him away moments before he would have been struck by lightning and killed.
👉 National Geographic offers an in-depth look at the fascinating history behind Maneki-neko statues at [7].
September is Pet Sitter Education Month
September is also Pet Sitter Education Month, established by Pet Sitters International (PSI). The observance highlights the importance of education, professionalism, and standards in pet sitting.
Pet Sitters International (PSI) established the month of September as Pet Sitter Education Month to focus on the education of professional pet sitters.
Are you a pet sitter? Would you like to become one? Check out their website for more information.[8]
To Sum Up, Celebrate September with Cats in Mind.
From happiness and health to awareness and appreciation, these September cat holidays offer fun opportunities to support cats throughout the month.
🧡 Which September cat holiday means the most to you? Be sure to share it with your fellow cat lovers and help spread awareness all month long.
REFERENCES
- CATalyst Council.. Downloaded August 20, 2026 from https://catalystcouncil.org/
- Happy Cat Month. Downloaded August 20, 2026 from https://catalystcouncil.org/september-catalyst-council-celebrates-happy-cat-month/
- IVAPM. Is Your Cat in Pain? Downloaded August 20, 2026 from https://ivapm.org/animal-pain-awareness-month/#Animal%2520Pain%2520Awareness%2520Month
- Hooper, B. (September, 2022). Downloaded August 19 2026 from https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/09/01/Ginger-Cat-Appreciation-Day/9571662042838/
- Catastic. Downloaded September 2023 from https://catastic.pet/cat-breeds/9-interesting-facts-about-white-cats/
- Tuxedo Cats: Facts, Details, and Breed Guide. Downloaded August 20, 2023 from https://www.litter-robot.com/blog/7-tuxedo-cat-facts/
- Saunders, R. (May, 2021). Downloaded August 20, 2023 from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/the-fascinating-history-behind-the-popular-waving-lucky-cat#:~:text=
- PSI. Downloaded August 20, 2023 from https://www.petsit.com/education
