March 1 is Cat Day: the history of the holiday and how it is celebrated in Russia

Cats rightfully have primacy among all pets. These graceful and independent animals have won the hearts of millions of Russians. No wonder they have their own holiday in Russia. It is celebrated annually on the first day of March, which is often referred to as cat month. In 2025, the celebrations will be held on Saturday. Izvestia tells about how the holiday date appeared and what traditions are associated with it.

History of Cats Day, celebrated on March 1

Cat Day is an unofficial holiday that was first celebrated on March 1, 2004. It was initiated by the Moscow Museum of Cats together with the editorial board of the magazine "Cat and Dog". The idea stuck, and now the holiday is celebrated all over the country on the first day of spring.

According to the organizers, Cat Day is a day when a person can express their love for a pet, think about what place it occupies in their life, and thank them for the magical feeling of love, warmth and affection that a cat can bring into our lives.

Celebrations in honor of the tailed ones are also held in many other countries. So, in February, similar holidays were held in Japan, Italy and Poland, and in autumn, Cat Day will be celebrated in USA. In addition, every year the world celebrates World Cat Day, which takes place on August 8. The date appeared more than 20 years ago on the initiative of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

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How to celebrate Cat Day in Russia — 2025

Traditionally, cat shows, veterinarian consultations on the care of fluffy pets, charity events to help homeless animals and many other events are held in different cities on the holiday.

The owners tend to pay more attention to their pet. A festive menu is prepared for cats and cats, they treat them with their favorite treats and give them gifts. It can be a new toy, a scratching post, or a lounger house. Some people visit pet beauty salons on Cat Day, where they can use the services of a hairdresser and a specialist in cutting claws.

Social media feeds on this day are full of photos of the culprits of the celebration. Anyone can join the celebration by sharing a photo of their pet with the hashtag #DenkOshek. You can also compose a short story about a mustachioed friend, highlighting the most amusing moments.

Another good holiday tradition is to make a donation to a shelter or to find a new family member by taking one of its inhabitants home.

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Interesting facts about cats

Cats were domesticated by humans about 10-15 thousand years ago. The domestication of cats was facilitated by the emergence of agriculture. In ancient Egypt, they were considered sacred animals. The Egyptians believed that cats not only successfully fought rodents, but also served as intermediaries between gods and humans.

The worship of cats in the ancient world is also evidenced by the Indian cat goddess Shashti, an analogue of the Egyptian goddess Bastet. Cats enjoyed a special position in Greece, where they were often kept in monasteries. Animals were allowed to enter temples and walk quietly around the territories of monasteries.

In Russia, cats were considered native Russian pets, although they first appeared here in the 9th–10th century. According to legend, the first cat, along with other dowries, was brought from Byzantium by Prince Vladimir's wife Anna. Popularly, cats were often attributed a connection with otherworldly forces. They were believed to see spirits and communicate with brownies.

During the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, cats were first taken on state allowances. Since then, they have served in the Winter Palace and the Hermitage. They even have their own holiday, which is called Hermitage Cat Day. It is celebrated in late spring on May 27.

Earlier, Izvestia reported, how in the old days the weather was determined by the behavior of a cat.