Cats, considered majestic by many, have three specific days dedicated to their celebration: February 20, August 8, and October 29. In Mexico, statistics show that 7 out of 10 households have a pet, and of these, 37% are cats, making them the second most preferred pet after dogs. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), there are approximately 16 million felines in Mexican homes and about 9.1 million that roam the streets in search of food and shelter.
These adorable animals usually have an average lifespan of about 15 years and, unlike dogs who see humans as the center of their universe, cats consider themselves as such and owners of the homes they inhabit. They are captivating and special beings, deciding when they want to be petted and using their meow not so much to communicate with each other, but to communicate with their humans. It is said that cats choose their owners, and in most cases, this turns out to be true.
October 29, recognized as National Cat Day in the United States and celebrated worldwide, was established in 2002 to raise awareness about animal rights, coinciding with the time of highest fertility in the northern hemisphere. Colleen Paige, a feline behavior expert, proposed this celebration to raise awareness about the number of abandoned cats on the streets.
Regarding the care that a cat requires, Alejandro Sánchez, Technical Manager of the MSD Animal Health Companion Animals Unit in Mexico, emphasizes the importance of preventive medical care through vaccinations and deworming. Preventing diseases that could affect the health of cats and potentially be transmitted to humans is essential. Diseases such as Toxocariasis, Rabies, and Bartonellosis can be prevented with an adequate vaccination plan.
February 20 is considered the beginning of feline festivities, where social media is filled with displays of love for these animals with photos, videos, and memes that highlight their curious and charming personality. The origin of this date dates back to the most famous cat of the 1990s, Socks, adopted by Chelsea, daughter of Bill Clinton, former president of the United States.
