The Ultimate List of 2023 Pet Holidays to Celebrate Your Furry Friend All Year Long
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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 pets all year long. This list of all the pet holidays throughout the year range 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 definitely don't need a reason to spoil your pet, these annual niche pet holidays give us all a good reason to show our pets some extra love in 2023.
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January
Ring in the new year with goals and resolutions for both you and your pet in January—including celebrating tons of pet holidays.
Monthlong Observations:
National Train Your Dog Month
Walk Your Dog Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Holidays:
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
February
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
Holidays:
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
Feb. 28: World Spay Day
March
Besides being the month of Spring Break trips and escaping the cold, it's also the perfect month to brush up on items that are poisonous to pets.
Monthlong Observations:
National Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Weeklong Events:
March 5-11: National Professional Pet Sitters Week
Holidays:
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
April
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
April 4-8: National Wildlife Week
April 11-17: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week
April 17-23: National Pet ID Week
Holidays:
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
April 23: World Veterinary Day
April 24: National Pet Parents Day
April 27: International Guide Dog Day
April 28: National Kids and Pets Day
April 29: National Hairball Awareness Day
April 30: National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day
April 30: National Therapy Animal Day
May
May brings some 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:
May 7-13: Be Kind to Animals Week
May 7-13: Puppy Mill Action Week
May 7-13: National Pet Week
Holidays:
May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
May 1: Mayday for Mutts
May 3: Specially Abled Pets Day
May 8: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 14: National Dog Mom Day
May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
June
If your pooch is already decked out in rainbow for Pride Month, they'll be ready to hit the town and celebrate all the other holidays June has to offer.
Month-long Observations:
National Adopt a Cat Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
National Pet Preparedness Month
Weeklong Events:
June 4-10: Pet Appreciation Week
Holidays:
June 4: National Hug Your Cat Day
June 4: International Corgi Day
June 14: World Pet Memorial Day
June 20: National Take Your Cat to Work Day
June 20: Ugliest Dog Day
June 24: Take Your Dog to Work Day
July
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:
July 18-24: National Zoo Keeper Week
July 24-30: National Feed a Rescue Pet Week
Holidays:
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
August
While August may be a slow month for regular people holidays, it's full of celebrations for our pets—including the Daily Paws favorite, National Dog Day.
Monthlong Observations:
National Immunization Awareness Month
Weeklong Events:
Aug. 6-12: International Assistance Dog Week
Holidays:
Aug. 1: Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
Aug. 4: Work Like a Dog Day
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
Aug. 20: 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
September
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:
Sept. 18-24: Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week
Sept. 24-30: Deaf Dog Awareness Week
Holidays:
Sept. 4: National Wildlife Day
Sept. 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
Sept. 11: National Pet Memorial Day
Sept. 11: National Hug Your Hound Day
Sept. 17: National Pet Bird Day
Sept. 17: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Sept. 17: Responsible Dog Ownership Day
Sept. 19: National Meow Like a Pirate Day
Sept. 23: National Dogs in Politics Day
Sept. 23: Remember Me Thursday
Sept. 28: World Rabies Day
October
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:
Oct. 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week
Holidays:
Oct. 1: National Fire Pup Day
Oct. 1: National Black Dog Day
Oct. 4: World Animal Day
Oct. 12: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
Oct. 15: National Fetch Day
Oct. 16: Global Cat Day
Oct. 16: National Feral Cat Day
Oct. 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
Oct. 22: Make a Dog's Day
Oct. 27: National Black Cat Day
Oct. 29: National Cat Day
Oct. 29: National Pit Bull Awareness Day
November
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:
Nov. 5-11: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
Holidays:
Nov. 1: National Cook For Your Pets Day
Nov. 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
Nov. 17: National Hiking Day
Nov. 19: National Camp Day
December
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
Holidays:
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
