We may be at the end of September, but it’s not too late to celebrate Happy Cat Month! Of course if you ask your cat, they’ll probably tell you EVERY month should be Happy Cat Month, filled with comfortable pillows to lounge on, birds and squirrels to chase, and a food bowl that never empties. But since most readers (probably) aren’t cats, we’ll focus on the actual celebration!
So what is Happy Cat Month? Back in 2015, a non-profit organization called The CATalyst Council set out to inform and educate people about the importance of cats. They wanted to make sure everyone knew that cats were wonderful pets that were affectionate and needed human care just like any other pet. They thought this was very important because, according to their website, 42.7 million U.S. households have cats as pets. Some even have multiple cats in their house, as there are approximately 62 million cats owned as pets in the U.S. In fact, 50% of all pets adopted in the U.S. are cats. With so many cat owners out there, it’s important that we know as much about our furry friends as possible, so that we are able to ensure they can remain happy and healthy! To celebrate Happy Cat Month, here are 10 facts about cats that you might not know!
Excited to learn more about cats (or maybe just enjoy a fun story featuring our furry feline friends)? Here are some books in the CCPL collection to help get you started!
Cats: How to Choose and Care for a Cat by Laura Jeffrey
Provides information on cats as pets, including how to choose among different breeds, find a cat to buy or adopt, and how to feed and keep a cat healthy.
Scaredy Cats by Audrey Wood
When Mother Cat sends her two youngest kittens to do an errand in town, their imaginations run wild with scary possibilities.
Cat Science Unleashed: Fun Activities to Do With Your Feline Friend by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen
Unleash the power of science! Have fun with 22 safe and cat-friendly activities that let you work alongside your cat to discover what makes her tick. Learn how catnip affects your kitty and how she can see so well in the dark. Find out what kind of toys your cat loves by making a feather flyer. How does your cat balance so well and always land on all fours? Each activity is paired with step-by-step instructions, clear and interesting scientific explanations, and cool photographs shot specifically for this book. Hands-on activities and fun information for budding scientists prompt further learning and offer a behind-the-scenes look at current feline research. When you are finished with the book you’ll have a vet-worthy profile of the best kitty companion on the planet–yours!
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it.
The Misadventures of Grumpy Cat (and Pokey!) by Ben McCool
Dynamite proudly presents the comic book misadventures of Grumpy Cat, featuring The World’s Grumpiest Cat and her brother, Pokey! With her ever-present pout and sassy disposition, Grumpy Cat has won the hearts of people everywhere. Now, her unbearable cuteness and infectious sourpuss are featured in an all-new, all-sensational collection of comic stories, sure to make fans of all ages laugh! If you love the memes, the videos, and that irresistible scowl, then get ready for the wildly fun antics of Grumpy Cat and Pokey!
Dr. Yuki Hattori is Japan’s leading cat doctor, and to him cats are the most beautiful animals in the world. His advice comes with little illustrations showing exactly what to look for as a cat owner – including charts showing how to interpret their different meows, the direction of their whiskers and the way their tail is pointing!
Lost Cat by C. Roger Mader
Slipper the cat is mistakenly left behind in the commotion when the lady she has always lived with moves in with her daughter’s family, so Slipper sets out to find someone new to adopt.
Cross-Country Cat by Mary Calhoun
When he becomes lost in the mountains, a cat with the unusual ability of walking on two legs finds his way home on cross-country skis.
Cat Breed Guide: A Complete Reference to Your Purr-fect Best Friend by Stephanie Warren Drimmer and Dr. Gary Weitzman
Reference book with information about all breeds of cats, for children.
The Cat Encyclopedia: The Definitive Visual Guide by DK Publishing
The Cat Encyclopedia is a cat compendium with all the facts about cats and kittens. It’s packed with beautifully photographed profiles of different breeds, from the Maine Coon to the Khao Manee, and includes information on caring for your own cat. This book explores the cat’s place in cultures and includes famous cats in art and literature.
