How does everyone celebrate? A survey report on how people really spend their cat's birthday and "gotcha day."

A cat’s birthday, "Gotcha Day," or other special days shared with your cat.

Have you ever wondered, "How does everyone else celebrate these moments?"

At Poponeko, we surveyed 211 cat owners about how they spend their cats' birthdays and anniversaries. Here, we share their real-life stories and approaches to celebrating.

* [Survey Methodology] From Poponeko Co., Ltd.’s "Survey on Anniversaries with Pet Cats" (Conducted from July 17 to August 31, 2026; valid responses: 211)

Cat Anniversaries: What Do People Celebrate?

First, we asked owners which days they celebrate for their cats. Let’s look at the results, focusing on birthdays and Gotcha Days.

1st place: Birthdays (71%)

71% of respondents celebrate their cat’s birthday.

The breakdown is particularly interesting:

• Celebrating on an estimated date: 92 people
• Celebrating on the exact date of birth: 74 people

As shown, more people celebrate on an estimated date. For rescued cats or those without a clear birth record, many owners choose a special day to celebrate.

2nd place: "Gotcha Day" (50%)

Exactly half, 50%, of owners celebrate the day they brought their cat home as their "Gotcha Day."

It is a heartwarming tradition to celebrate the day a cat joined the family. Alongside birthdays, it has become a firmly established feline anniversary.

"Gotcha Day" is a celebration that applies to any cat, whether they came from a pet store, breeder, shelter, or an unexpected encounter.

What is "Gotcha Day"?

"Gotcha Day" is a term used to commemorate the day you welcomed your cat into your life.

"Gotcha" conveys the nuance of "I found you!" or "I'm never letting you go!" Originally used to celebrate the day of an adoption, the term has expanded to include the day any rescue cat or dog becomes part of the family.

• Gotcha Day: Celebrating the day they became family, regardless of the source.
• Nuance: Often used to highlight the special encounter with a rescue animal or a fresh start.

Both terms are ways to express the sentiment: "Thank you for coming into my life."

How People Celebrate: A Ranking

We asked about the specific ways people celebrate their cats' birthdays and anniversaries.

Birthday celebrators focus on meals

Among those who celebrate birthdays, 89% prepare special meals. For Christmas, the percentage of people gifting new collars is also high at 47%.

Thoughts you want to share with your cat on Cat Day

In addition to your cat's birthday or the anniversary of the day they joined your family, we also asked what kind of thoughts you would like to share with your cat on "Cat Day," February 22nd.

The most common answer was "Happiness for all cats around the world"

The number one thought people wanted to share on Cat Day was a wish of altruism: "I hope that not just my cat, but all cats around the world will be happy."

In the free-response section, most comments were things like "Every day is Cat Day" and "I'm happy and grateful every day, and I always love you."

Messages wishing "Stay with me forever"

We also asked for a brief message to your cat. We received many messages filled with love, mostly expressing the wish to spend time with their cats forever.

• "Please stay by my side for as long as possible—a day, an hour, or even a second longer! Thank you for everything."
• "I'll be with you until the very end."
• "Live long enough to become a nekomata!"
• "Stay with me until your tail splits!"
• "Even if you cross the rainbow bridge, please come back to be my cat again."

We also received many expressions of gratitude for the miracle of meeting their cats.

• "Thank you so much for being born and for choosing me."
• "Thank you for finding your way to me when you were all alone."
• "I am the luckiest person in the world to have met you. Please stay healthy!"
• "I'll do my best so that you're glad you came to my home."
• "Just having you here makes me happy."

There were also many kind wishes, not just for their own cats, but for cats all over the world.

• "May all cats in the world be happy."
• "May the world be filled with happy cats!"
• "Every cat deserves to be happy in a home."
• "May there be fewer cats living a pitiful life."

Memorable episodes with your cat

From stories about food and toys to accounts of the day you met or battling illness, there are as many dramas as there are cats and their owners. Here are some special episodes.

"Always the same" is the greatest happiness

The most common story in our survey was, "I went through all the trouble of preparing it, but my cat wouldn't eat it."

"In the end, they wouldn't accept any special meal menus or toys; they are happiest with the usual. I realized that was their way of celebrating."

"Every anniversary, it's only the humans who are excited—the cats are just the same as always. But that's what I love about them."

Perhaps the best celebration of all is that they are healthy and spending time as they always do, without needing anything special.

The day we met is the best memory

"At the pet shop, while everyone else was asleep, this one little one woke up and stared at me through the glass. I asked, 'Will you come home with me?' and they replied with a 'Meow!' That was the moment I decided to bring them home."

"A rescued cat who was timid and took a long time to warm up to me. About a month later, they suddenly climbed onto my lap, and cuddling became our daily routine."

"Back when they were a stray, they were injured and living in a cardboard box at a carport. On days I couldn't find them, I’d walk around calling their name, and they would follow me, meowing in a sweet voice."

A birthday celebrated after overcoming illness

Some stories remind us how precious it is to be born healthy and to grow older in good health.

"My cat, who was born with an illness, safely celebrated their first birthday, and I was overcome with emotion."

"After repeating hospital stays for nearly half a year, I came to cherish each milestone birthday even more."

"For their 14th birthday, I gave them a low-step cat tower, wishing for them to continue climbing and jumping healthily forever. They were puzzled at first, but I taught them one step at a time, and now that they are 17, they use it like a pro."

"After supporting them through years of medical treatment, I kept telling them, 'Let’s reach your 20th birthday together.' Celebrating their 20th birthday as hoped made it a very special day."

"I am grateful that they continue to reach each anniversary in good health, year after year."

Gestures from your cat that feel like "Thank you"

Even if they cannot speak, cats may be returning your feelings in their own way.

"Three years after I brought them home, whenever I’m about to go out, they now sit firmly by the front door, appealing to me not to leave."

"When I sang to them on their birthday, they sat down and listened."

What to do for your cat’s anniversary? Recommended ways to spend the day

Based on our survey results, we have compiled a 3-step guide for an easy, stress-free celebration.

1. Choose a date

If you don't know your cat's birthday, it's fine to base it on the day they joined your family or the day you were given an age estimate at the veterinary clinic. According to a Popo Neko survey, many people celebrate on an estimated date.

2. Choose what your cat enjoys

Without obsessing over special food, spending more time playing or petting them than usual is also a wonderful celebration.

3. Keep a memento

44% of people take photos. Taking a photo from the same angle every year becomes a record of their growth. It also becomes a memory of the years you’ve spent together.

Summary

There is no "correct" way to celebrate your cat's birthday or adoption anniversary. What matters most is that you and your cat feel comfortable. Whether it's special food, a photo, or just extra time spent petting them, it will be a wonderful anniversary.

At Popo Neko, we have created "Harenohi Cat Collars" to liven up your cat's birthday or adoption anniversary celebrations.

These are lightweight, photogenic collars packed with feelings of "Congratulations" and "Thank you." Please feel free to take a look.