Key Takeaways
- Monthlong Observations:
- Month-long Observations:
- Monthlong Observations:
- Living with Pets
- Holidays & Celebrations
There's even a National Spoil Your Dog Day, but we celebrate that every day.
Jessica Comstock is a Petcare Hub intern and senior at Drake University studying Magazine Media and Politics. When she's not creating content, she's off somewhere pampering her two cats, Daisy and Piper.
We all love to involve our pets in major holidays like Christmas and Halloween, but there's no reason we can't celebrate with our furry friends all year long.
This list of pet holidays throughout the year ranges from funny celebrations like Doggy Date Night and National Meow Like a Pirate Day to awareness-raising observations, such as Pet Dental Month and Wildlife Conservation Day.
And, while you don't need a reason to spoil your pet, these annual niche pet holidays give us all the perfect opportunity to show our pets some extra love.
Ring in the new year with goals and resolutions for you and your pet—including celebrating tons of pet holidays.
Monthlong Observations:
- National Train Your Dog Month
- Walk Your Dog Month
- Unchain a Dog Month
- Jan. 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
- Jan. 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
- Jan. 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
- Jan. 22: National Answer Your Cat's Questions Day
- Jan. 24: Change a Pet's Life Day
- Jan. 29: Seeing Eye Guide Dog Anniversary
Our pets will surely be our special someone for Valentine's Day, but the rest of February is also jam-packed with pet-specific holidays.
Month-long Observations:
- Dog Training Education Month
- National Cat Health Month
- Pet Dental Health Month
- Responsible Pet Owners Month
- Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
- Feb. 3: National Golden Retriever Day
- Feb. 3: Doggy Date Night
- Feb. 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day
- Feb. 19: International Tug of War Day
- Feb. 20: National Love Your Pet Day
- Feb. 22: National Walking the Dog Day
- Feb. 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
- Last Tuesday in February: World Spay Day
Besides being the month of Spring Break trips and escaping the cold, March is perfect for brushing up on items that are poisonous to pets.
Monthlong Observations:
- National Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Weeklong Events:
- First Full Week in March: National Professional Pet Sitters Week
- March 1: National Peanut Butter Lovers Day
- March 3: National If Pets Had Thumbs Day
- March 13: National K9 Veterans Day
- March 23: National Puppy Day
- March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
In all seriousness, don't subject your pet to harmful April Fool's pranks. Celebrate one of these pet-friendly holidays in April instead.
Monthlong Observations:
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
- National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- National Heartworm Awareness Month
- Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
- Active Dog Month
Weeklong Events:
- April 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week
- First week in April: National Wildlife Week
- Second full week in April: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week
- April 17-23: National Pet ID Week
- April 6: National Siamese Cat Day
- April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
- April 10: National Farm Animals Day
- April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
- April 11: National Pet Day
- April 21: National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
- Last Sunday in April: National Pet Parents Day
- Last Wednesday in April: International Guide Dog Day
- April 26: National Kids and Pets Day
- Last Friday in April: National Hairball Awareness Day
- April 30: National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day
- April 30: National Therapy Animal Day
May brings extra love for dogs of all kinds: Chihuahuas, purebreds, mutts, specially-abled, and rescues!
Monthlong Observations:
- National Pet Month
- Chip Your Pet Month
Weeklong Events:
- First Full Week of May: Be Kind to Animals Week
- Begins the Monday before Mother's Day: Puppy Mill Action Week
- First Full Week of May (starts Sunday): National Pet Week
- May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
- First Sunday of May: Mayday for Mutts
- May 3: Specially Abled Pets Day
- Second Saturday in May: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
- Second Saturday in May: National Dog Mom Day
- May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
- May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
Do you have your pet's perfect 4th of July outfit picked and ready? Don't put it on him yet, because there are still plenty of pet holidays to celebrate in June!
Month-long Observations:
- National Adopt a Cat Month
- National Zoo and Aquarium Month
- National Pet Preparedness Month
Weeklong Events:
- First Week in June: Pet Appreciation Week
- June 4: National Hug Your Cat Day
- June 4: International Corgi Day
- Second Tuesday in June: World Pet Memorial Day
- June 20: Ugliest Dog Day
Many pet-themed holidays in July focus on raising awareness for lost pets scared by fireworks. So as you prepare for all the fun 4th of July festivities, don't forget to make the celebrations as safe as possible for your pets!
Month-long Observations:
- National Lost Pet Prevention Month
- National Pet Hydration Month
- Dog House Repair Month
Weeklong Events:
- Third Week of July: National Zoo Keeper Week
- July 1: American Zoo Day
- July 1: ID Your Pet Day
- July 10: National Kitten Day
- July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
- July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
- July 31: National Mutt Day
While August may be a slow month for regular-people holidays, it's full of celebrations for our pets—including the Petcare Hub favorite, National Dog Day.
Monthlong Observations:
- National Immunization Awareness Month
Weeklong Events:
- First full week of August: International Assistance Dog Week
- Aug. 1: Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
- Aug. 8: International Cat Day
- Aug. 10: National Spoil Your Dog Day
- Aug. 15: National Check the Chip Day
- Aug. 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
- Third Saturday of August: International Homeless Animals Day
- Aug. 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
- Aug. 26: National Dog Day
- Aug. 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
- Aug. 30: National Holistic Pet Day
Squeeze every last drop out of summer's warm nights by getting outside and celebrating these holidays with your pet.
Monthlong Observations:
- National Pet Insurance Month
- National Guide/Service Dog Month
- National Pet Memorial Month
- Pet Sitter Education Month
- Responsible Dog Ownership Month
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
Weeklong Events:
- Third Week in September: Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week
- Last Full Week in September: Deaf Dog Awareness Week
- Sept. 4: National Wildlife Day
- Sept. 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
- Second Sunday in September: National Pet Memorial Day
- Second Saturday in September: National Hug Your Hound Day
- Sept. 17: National Pet Bird Day
- Third Saturday in September: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
- Third Saturday in September: Responsible Dog Ownership Day
- Sept. 19: National Meow Like a Pirate Day
- Sept. 23: National Dogs in Politics Day
- Sept. 28: World Rabies Day
Besides getting your pet's Halloween costume ready, October is perfect for celebrating black cats and adopting a new pooch.
Monthlong Observations:
- Adopt A Shelter Dog Month
- Adopt A Dog Month
- National Pet Wellness Month
- National Animal Safety and Protection Month
- National Pit Bull Awareness Month
Weeklong Events:
- First Week of October: National Walk Your Dog Week
- Oct. 1: National Fire Pup Day
- Oct. 1: National Black Dog Day
- Oct. 4: World Animal Day
- Oct. 16: National Feral Cat Day
- Oct. 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
- Oct. 27: National Black Cat Day
- Oct. 29: National Cat Day
While you prepare for Thanksgiving festivities throughout the month, remember to prioritize your pet's safety and avoid feeding them toxic foods.
Monthlong Observations:
- National Adopt a Senior Pet Month
- National Prevent a Litter Month
Weeklong Events:
- First Full Week of November: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
- Nov. 1: National Cook For Your Pets Day
- Nov. 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
- Nov. 17: National Hiking Day
There aren't many pet-specific holidays in December, so make sure to involve your pet in all the other exciting holiday festivities throughout the month.
Monthlong Observations:
- National Cat Lover's Month
- Dec. 2: National Mutt Day (again!)
- Dec. 4: Wildlife Conservation Day
- Dec. 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- Dec. 10: International Animal Rights Day
- Dec. 27: Visit the Zoo Day
