Wanneer is Internationale Kattendag in 2026?

Op zaterdag 8 augustus 2026. De dag valt elk jaar op dezelfde datum.

Mag ik mijn kat een extra snack geven op Kattendag?

Ja, zolang snacks samen niet meer dan ongeveer 10% van de dagelijkse energie uitmaken. Trek de extra calorieën af van de gewone portie.

Wat is het beste cadeau voor een kat?

Verrijking: speeltijd, een uitkijkpunt, een voerpuzzel en een propere drinkplek. Die dingen verbeteren haar welzijn elke dag.

Mag mijn kat melk drinken als traktatie?

Beter niet. De meeste volwassen katten zijn lactose-intolerant. Water is de enige drank die een kat nodig heeft.

Hoeveel moet een kat drinken per dag?

Ongeveer 40 à 60 ml per kilogram lichaamsgewicht per dag, inclusief het vocht uit natvoer.

Leuke Kattenweetjes en Tips – Uitgelegd door Smartpaw

International Cat Day: how to spoil your cat on August 8th?

21 juli 2026SmartPaw4 min lezen

Actueel Gedrag training Kat Zomer

Vrouw speelt en knuffelt met haar kat in de woonkamer

August 8th is International Cat Day. A great occasion to spoil your cat — but in a way that truly benefits them. Because a handful of extra treats is fun for five minutes; a better drinking spot or ten minutes of focused play will make your cat happy all year long.

By the SmartPaw editorial team · Published on July 21, 2026 · Last updated on July 21, 2026 · Facts checked by veterinarians and official sources.

📌 In short

International Cat Day falls every year on August 8th — in 2026, it's a Saturday.
Spoiling your cat is best done with play, rest, grooming, and fresh water, not with extra snacks.
Ten minutes of focused hunting play per day does more for your cat than an expensive plush toy.
Milk, dog treats, and lilies are NOT gifts: they are harmful to cats.
A cat that drinks more has a lower risk of bladder and kidney problems.

When is International Cat Day?

International Cat Day falls every year on August 8th; in 2026, that's a Saturday. The day was established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare and has been managed by International Cat Care since 2020. The goal is not only to spoil cats but also to raise awareness for stray and neglected cats.

How to spoil your cat in a healthy way?

With things that align with her natural behavior: hunting, climbing, hiding, grooming, and drinking. Seven ideas that fit into one Saturday:

Ten minutes of hunting play with a wand toy — always let your cat catch the 'prey' at the end.
A new lookout point: a shelf or cat tree by the window. Height = safety for a cat.
A sniffing mat or food puzzle instead of the usual bowl. Food they have to work for is enrichment.
A brushing session in short bursts — especially useful during shedding season.
Fresh, flowing water in a quiet spot.
A cardboard box. Free, and still the favorite.
Rest: let a sleeping cat sleep. Cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, and that's normal.

You can read more about that sleep behavior in why your cat sleeps so much. Does your cat dislike brushing? Our guide on brushing a cat that doesn't like it can help.

Why is fresh water the best gift for your cat?

Because cats are naturally poor drinkers: they are descended from desert animals and prefer to get their moisture from prey. Not drinking enough is one of the main risk factors for bladder stones, bladder infections, and kidney problems. Cats demonstrably drink more from flowing water than from a still bowl.

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Which 'gifts' should you rather not give your cat?

⚠️ These treats are harmful

Cow's milk: most adult cats cannot digest lactose and get diarrhea. Dog treats: lack taurine and can contain too much salt. Lilies and bouquets: all parts of the lily are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure — call your vet immediately if ingested. Too many snacks: snacks should make up a maximum of 10% of daily energy intake.

How do you celebrate Cat Day with a cat that doesn't like cuddles?

By letting her choose. Sit on the floor, extend your hand, and let your cat come to you. Cats that initiate contact themselves tend to stay longer. It's best to pet them around the head, chin, and cheeks — the belly and base of the tail are too much for most cats.

💡 Tip: Place the water bowl, food bowl, and litter box in three different spots. Cats naturally don't want to eat where they drink, and certainly not drink next to their toilet. Just moving them can already make your cat drink noticeably more.

How to help cats that are less fortunate?

International Cat Day is also for stray and shelter cats. Specifically: donate food or blankets to a local shelter, support a TNR program (trap, neuter, return), or consider adoption instead of buying. Spaying/neutering and microchipping your own cat also helps to structurally reduce the problem.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is International Cat Day in 2026?
On Saturday, August 8, 2026. The day falls on the same date every year.

Can I give my cat an extra snack on Cat Day?
Yes, as long as snacks combined do not exceed approximately 10% of daily energy intake. Deduct the extra calories from the regular portion.

What is the best gift for a cat?
Enrichment: playtime, a lookout point, a food puzzle, and a clean drinking spot. These things improve her well-being every day, not just on August 8th.

Can my cat drink milk as a treat?
Better not. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Water is the only drink a cat needs.

How much should a cat drink per day?
About 40 to 60 ml per kilogram of body weight per day, including moisture from wet food. A cat on dry food therefore needs to get much more from the drinking bowl.