Last Updated on: December 4, 2023 by Crystal Uys
It’s time to break out the party hats! Your cat is turning a year older, so what better cause to celebrate? You may wonder how you can throw a party for your cat since human parties and cat parties don’t look 100% the same (depending on how you like to party, of course!).
Our advice is to determine what your cat likes before planning a party. But if you’re looking for inspiration so you can throw the greatest cat birthday party of all time, we have you covered. In this article, we’ll give you five tips to throw the best cat birthday party ever.
Before You Start
Before the day of your cat’s birthday party, there are a few factors that you should keep in mind. Namely, you should prioritize your cat’s comfort and learn to manage your expectations.
Consider Your Cat’s Comfort
When planning a party to celebrate your cat, think of what will truly cause your cat to feel loved and appreciated. While you may be tempted to invite several friends and family to honor your cat’s birthday, the heartwarming party may be anxiety-inducing.
From your cat’s perspective, their calm, peaceful home has suddenly been invaded by loud, large strangers! As the birthday kitty, all of the guests will be eager to smother your cat in affection, which may irritate your pet.
Although there is nothing wrong with celebrating your cat’s milestones with your loved ones, think about how you can appreciate your cat in a way that feels good to them rather than what feels good to you.
Manage Your Expectations
When throwing a birthday party for a human, certain expectations will be met, like singing Happy Birthday, blowing out candles, and opening presents. When throwing a birthday party for a cat, prepare to throw all of your expectations out the window.
In a perfect world, your cat would let you dress them in a birthday outfit and sit still for a thousand pictures, but the reality is that your cat will do as they please–and that likely means going against your wishes for a fun party.
Your cat will likely go into another room when party guests come over. To ensure the party is a good time for everyone, it is best to go with the flow and let your cat do whatever makes them comfortable.
Our 5 Tips for Throwing Your Cat a Party
Planning a cat’s birthday party doesn’t have to be a challenge. As long as you consider your cat’s comfort and manage your expectations, the party is sure to be a smashing success! For more ideas on how to throw your cat a birthday party, take a look at these five tips below.
1. Make Sure the Timing Is Right
If you want your cat to be somewhat involved with the party, timing is everything. Cats are crepuscular animals, which means that they are more active around dawn and dusk. Most partygoers aren’t eager to attend gatherings at dawn, so scheduling your cat’s party around dusk is a good idea.
This is especially important if you invite other feline guests to the party. If other cats are coming over for a birthday playdate, you’ll want them wide awake and ready to party!
2. Bring Out the Decorations
What’s a party without the decorations? To host the best kitty party ever, make sure you have plenty of fun decorations to brighten up the whole home. It’s advised that you use inexpensive decorations, just in case your feline guests get a little rowdy at the party and break things.
For the same reason, your decorations should not include sentimental items, and any valuables should be safely stored away. You should also ensure that your decorations are not a danger to your cat. Decorations that your cat could become tangled in or cut by should be avoided.
In addition to decorations, providing goody bags for your guests is a great way to celebrate. If your guests have cats themselves, add feline treats and toys to the goody bag so that all of the cats can celebrate.
3. Provide Feline-Appropriate Food
If you’re going to have human and feline guests, make sure you can feed both of them. The food you offer your human guests is up to your discretion, but your feline guests should be given commercial cat food or freshly cooked lean meat, such as chicken or turkey. Any meat should be boiled and served plain. You can also provide healthy feline treats.
Some foods that you should never offer your cat guests include those with alcohol, chocolate, onions, and garlic. They are highly toxic for felines. These are not the only foods that are toxic for cats, so make sure you do your research before offering a meal to your feline guests.
4. Play Lots of Fun Games!
A great way to keep the kitty party going is to play fun feline games. You can construct obstacle courses, provide puzzle feeders, and offer interactive toys. If your other feline guests and their owners are feeling up to it, you may even be able to attempt relay races with each owner and cat duo on their own team.
While games are tons of fun, it’s also essential to know your cat’s limits. If your cat or their fellow feline guests look tired, overwhelmed, or agitated, it’s probably a good idea to take a break from the games and give the cats some alone time so that everyone continues to enjoy the party.
5. Give Your Cat a Special Gift
There are few better times to give your pet a special gift than on their birthday. Knowing what your cat likes will be a great way to determine the perfect gift for them. For example, if your cat loves to eat, look for a healthy and tasty feline treat. You can also search for toys for playful cats or cozy beds for sleepy cats.
If you want to give your cat a little bit of everything, you can order a pet box. Even if you order a one-time box, you can get your cat an assortment of treats, toys, and supplies, depending on which subscription you choose.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating your cat’s birthday is a great way to express your love for your pet. While it can be tempting to throw the biggest birthday bash your neighborhood has ever seen, it’s often best to set up low-key, calming get-togethers with people your cat is already familiar with. This allows you to celebrate your cat in a pleasant way for everyone involved.
Featured Image Credit: AlonaPhoto, Shutterstock
About the author
Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!