Celebrating International Cat Day – Paws, Puzzles, and Purrs
In honor of International Cat Day, I thought it was only fitting to highlight two very important members of my puzzling crew—Oliver and Loki! If you’ve spent any time puzzling with cats nearby, you already know they have a unique way of “helping.” Whether it’s sitting in the lid, swiping a loose piece, or dramatically flopping across your half-finished puzzle, they’re always ready to get involved.
Alien Vintage Poster by Eurographcis (Under Oliver)
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks for keeping the peace between my puzzle and my pets. So today, I’m sharing some of my favorite tips for puzzling with cats (though many work for dogs too!)
Use a puzzle board or mat
These can be a lifesaver. Puzzle boards give you a flat, movable surface, and puzzle mats let you roll up your work if you need to protect it. The added elevation can sometimes deter animals from jumping up (keyword: sometimes). Most also come with covers, which are a game-changer when you’re stepping away.
Abbi's kitty is very tempted
Have a decoy box
This one's been huge for me. Cats love boxes, so give them one that’s not your puzzle box. If Oliver has a box of his own nearby, he’s much less likely to take over mine. Sometimes I even toss in a few decoy pieces that aren’t from my current puzzle—he thinks he’s being clever, and I keep my real puzzle safe.
An empty sorting tray or box gives Oliver a great place to sit and still "help"
Secure loose pieces
Between curious paws and wagging tails, loose pieces are at risk. I recommend storing unsorted pieces in lidded containers, stackable trays, or even a spare puzzle box when you're not actively working. It’s a small step that prevents a lot of drama.
Try a cover
When you take a break, toss a clean towel, sheet of cardboard, or my personal favorite—foam board—over the puzzle. I usually place something a little heavy on top, so if a cat jumps up, the whole thing doesn’t go flying. It’s not foolproof, but it slows them down and helps keep fur off your progress.
Loki loves helping and will find his empty spot no matter what!
Puzzling with pets can be chaotic, but it’s also full of cozy moments and hilarious stories. If you have a furry puzzle helper at home, we’d love to see them! Tag us in your photos on social media —we might just feature some of our favorite puzzle pets this weekend.
Bonus: Love cats as much as we do?
We’ve got hundreds of puzzles featuring cats—sleepy cats, silly cats, spooky Halloween cats, and more. You can browse the entire collection right here and find the purr-fect one to celebrate today.
I'm allergic to cats so this isn't for me but great for cat lovers.
I'm allergic to cats so this isn't for me but great for cat lovers.
I thought my tilted puzzle table was going to the cure for keeping the cats off- and the first time I tilted it one jumped over the back and skidded him and the whole left side of the puzzle to the bottom LOL Then he looked at me like I was the jerk!!
I enjoyed reading how to keep your puzzle safe. I don't have a cat right now, but when I did, she was ALWAYS such a helper and I loved it so much. I do cat puzzles all the time and think of Fred, yes, her name was Fred!
Puzzle cats don’t make you sneeze!!🤣🤣