2023 Pet Holidays: The Ultimate List of Pet Holidays

2023 Pet Holidays: The Ultimate List of Pet Holidays

The most common pet holidays fall around the same time as human holidays. For example, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's are when people celebrate with their pets. But celebrating and partying with our pets don't have to be reserved for these more common human holidays. Here's a long list of niche pet holidays offering pet parents many more reasons to celebrate and party with their furry little friends. 

 

January Pet Holidays & US Holidays

It's the time of year when everyone is thinking about their New Year's Resolutions and plotting ways to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives in the coming year. It's also time to consider your pet's resolutions and all the great reasons to celebrate this year! 

Week & Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • Walk Your Pet Month
  • Weight Loss Awareness Month
  • National Train Your Dog Month
  • National CBD Month

Daily Pet Holidays

  • January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
  • January 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
  • January 5: National Bird Day
  • January 8: Bubble Bath Day
  • January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
  • January 19: Get To Know Your Customers Day
  • January 22: National Answer Your Cat's Question Day
  • January 24: Change A Pet's Life Day

 

February Pet Holidays & US Holidays

Your pets will be your special someone this February, but the rest of the month is jam-packed with pet-specific holidays. That's because February has a long history as a pet holiday month. So, whether you share your life with a cat, dog, fish, or snake, there's sure to be something for them to celebrate in February—and don't forget about those people who are crazy about their birds!

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • Pet Dental Health Month
  • Dog Training Education Month
  • National Cat Health Month
  • Responsible Pet Owners Month
  • Spay/Neuter Awareness Month (AKA Beat the Heat Month)
  • February 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
  • February 19-25: National Justice for Animals Week

Daily Pet Holidays

  • February 3: National Golden Retriever Day
  • February 3: Annual Doggie Date Night
  • February 14: National Pet Theft Awareness Day in the US
  • February 19: International Tug-of-War Day
  • February 20: Love Your Pet Day
  • February 22: Walking The Dog Day
  • February 23: National Dog Biscuit Day
  • February 28: World Spay Day (Last Tuesday in February)

 

March Pet Holidays & US Holidays

Here comes Spring Break! Aside from being the month of Spring Break trips and escaping the cold, March is also the perfect month to be aware of those poisonous items to your pets. It's vital to ensure that your household items are safe and approved for use around your pet.

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
  • March 5-11: Professional Pet Sitters Week (observed the first whole week of March)
  • March 19-25: National Animal Poison Prevention Week (observed the entire third week of March)

Daily Pet Holidays

  • March 1: National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
  • March 1: Horse Protection Day
  • March 1: National Pig Day
  • March 3: World Wildlife Day
  • March 4: Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Raise begins (First Saturday in March)
  • March 13: K9 Veterans Day
  • March 14: UK Dog Theft Awareness Day
  • March 23: National Puppy Day
  • March 23: Cuddly Kitten Day
  • March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
  • March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day

 

April Pet Holidays & US Holidays

Whether you're a new or old pet owner, this month is full of days dedicated to celebrating our furry friends. April also brings awareness and prevention of heartworm and Lyme disease. Here's a list of some of the most popular pet holidays that are celebrated around the world.

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • Heartworm Awareness Month
  • National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
  • Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
  • Canine Fitness Month (AKA Active Dog Month)
  • Active Dog Month
  • April 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week
  • April 1-7: National Raw Feeding Week
  • April 9-15: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week (observed the second whole week of April)
  • April 9-15: National Dog Bite Prevention Week (observed the second entire week of April)
  • April 17-23: National Pet ID Week (observed annually for seven days beginning on April 17)
  • April 17-23: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week (observed the third week in April)
  • April 23-29: National Scoop the Poop Week

Daily Pet Holidays

  • April 4: World Stray Animals Day
  • April 4: World Rat Day
  • April 6: National Siamese Cat Day
  • April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
  • April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
  • April 11: National Pet Day
  • April 11: Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
  • April 18: Pet Owners Day
  • April 19: National Cat Lady Day
  • April 21: Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
  • April 21: Get to Know Your Customers Day
  • April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
  • April 23: National Scoop the Poop Week
  • April 24: World Day for Laboratory Animals
  • April 26: International Guide Dog Day (observed the last Wednesday in April)
  • April 27: Free Feral Cat Spay Day
  • April 27: National Little Pampered Dog Day
  • April 28: Hairball Awareness Day (observed the last Friday in April)
  • April 29: World Veterinary Day (observed the last Saturday in April)
  • April 30: National Pet Parents Day (observed the last Sunday in April)
  • April 30: Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
  • April 30: National Therapy Animal Day
  • April 30: National Tabby Day

 

May Pet Holidays & US Holidays

There are a lot of reasons to celebrate in May. First, it's National Pet Month, and that's an excellent reason to party plenty with your pawsome pets. It's also a month packed with holidays for those special animals, from purebreds to birds to those mutts of all types. May is a month when every pet gets a lot of love. 

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • National Pet Month
  • National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
  • National Foster Care Month
  • Chip Your Pet Month
  • Responsible Animal Guardian Month
  • May 1-7: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week
  • May 7-13: Puppy Mill Action Week (observed the week before Mother's Day)
  • May 7-13: National Pet Week (observed the first whole week in May)
  • May 7-13: American Humane Be Kind to Animals Week (observed the first whole week of May)

Daily Pet Holidays

  • May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
  • May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day
  • May 4: Bird Day
  • May 5: Cinco de Meow Day
  • May 7: Mayday for Mutts (observed the first Sunday of May)
  • May 8: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (observed the second Saturday of May)
  • May 13: National Dog Mom Day (observed the second Saturday of May)
  • May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
  • May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
  • May 20: World Dog Day (observed the third Saturday of May)

 

June Pet Holidays & US Holidays

June is a great month for celebrating pets: it's the time of year many of them are born, and it's also when you can celebrate the day they came into your life. The list below includes all the major holidays in June, along with dates and information about what they mean. Oh, and we've provided a handy table to help you keep it all straight in your head!

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • National Adopt a Cat Month
  • National Pet Preparedness Month
  • National Microchipping Month
  • National Foster a Pet Month
  • June 4-10: Pet Appreciation Week (observed the first whole week of June)
  • June 19-23: Take Your Pet To Work Week®
  • June 19-25: Animal Rights Awareness Week (observed the third week of June)

Daily Pet Holidays

  • June 4: Hug Your Cat Day
  • June 4: International Corgi Day
  • June 8: National Best Friends Day
  • June 13: World Pet Memorial Day (observed the second Tuesday in June)
  • June 19: Take Your Cat To Work Day
  • June 21: Dog Party Day
  • June 23: Take Your Dog To Work Day
  • June 24: Cat World Domination Day
  • June 24: World Day against the abandonment of domestic animals (held on the last Saturday in June)

 

July Pet Holidays & US Holidays

While we all have our favorite holidays, July is a fantastic time of year for celebrating special animals. It's a month full of pet-centric festivities that you may not know about, like National Mutt Day or National Cat Day. There are also great opportunities to celebrate your favorite pets while helping an animal charity. Feed a Rescue Animal Week, for example, is an annual event where people donate to their local animal shelters and rescue groups instead of buying groceries.

Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • National Lost Pet Prevention Month
  • National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
  • Independent Retailer Month

Daily Pet Holidays

  • July 1: National ID Your Pet Day
  • July 6: International Kissing Day
  • July 10: National Kitten Day
  • July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
  • July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
  • July 16: World Snake Day
  • July 20: Get To Know Your Customers Day
  • July 26: National Dog Photography Day
  • July 31: National Mutt Day

 

August Pet Holidays & US Holidays

August is a month for celebrating your pets, and with so many great options to choose from, you'll have a hard time deciding which holiday to celebrate. If you're a dog lover, celebrate National Dog Day on August 26 by showering that cute pup with gifts and treats. Or take them out for a day at the dog park!

August is also National Immunization Awareness Month—so remember to keep up with your pet's shots!

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • Rawgust (celebrates raw feeding for our pets)
  • National Immunization Awareness Month
  • National Back-To-School Month
  • August 6-12: International Assistance Dog Week (observed the first full week in August)

Daily Pet Holidays

  • August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
  • August 4: Assistance Dog Day
  • August 5: Work Like a Dog Day
  • August 6: Fresh Breath Day
  • August 8: National CBD Day
  • August 8: International Cat Day
  • August 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
  • August 10: National Lazy Day
  • August 15: National Check the Chip Day
  • August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day & International Black Cat Day
  • August 19: Clear the Shelters Day (observed the third Saturday of August)
  • August 19: International Homeless Animals' Day (observed the third Saturday of August)
  • August 22: National Take Your Cat To The Vet Day
  • August 23: International Blind Dog Day
  • August 26: National Dog Day & World Dog Day
  • August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
  • August 30: National Holistic Pet Day

 

September Pet Holidays & US Holidays

September is a busy month for pets, and it's chock-full of pet holidays, from National Service Dog month to deaf dog awareness. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other days that exist for the sole purpose of celebrating your pet—like National Pet Bird Day and Hug Your Hound Day.

If you're looking to celebrate some of these holidays, we've got you covered with our list below.

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • Happy Healthy Cat Month
  • National Pet Insurance Month
  • Pet-Sitter Education Month
  • Animal Pain Awareness Month
  • National Service Dog Month
  • National Pet Memorial Month
  • September 17-23: Adopt a Less-Adoptable-Pet Week (observed the third week in September)
  • September 24-30: National Dog Week (observed the whole last week in September)
  • September 24-30: National Deaf Pet Awareness Week (observed the whole last week in September)

Daily Pet Holidays

  • September 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
  • September 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
  • September 10: National Pet Memorial Day (observed the second Sunday in September)
  • September 10: National Hug Your Hound Day (observed the second Sunday in September)
  • September 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
  • September 16: AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day (observed the third Saturday in September)
  • September 16: Puppy Mill Awareness Day (observed the third Saturday in September)
  • September 17: National Pet Bird Day
  • September 23: Dogs in Politics Day
  • September 28: World Rabies Day
  • September 28: Remember Me Thursday (brings attention to the millions of adoptable pets waiting in shelters and those who never got a second chance, observed the fourth Thursday in September)

 

October Pet Holidays & US Holidays

​​October is the month of Halloween when you and your furry friend can dress up in costumes and trick or treat. But there are other pet holidays for you to celebrate with your furry friends. If you love spoiling your pet, October 22 is your day! It's Make a Dog's Day, a holiday that celebrates our best friends and their unconditional love for us.

Here's a list of all the other holidays and observances that you, your family, and your pet can enjoy together:

Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • National Animal Safety and Protection Month
  • Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
  • National Pet Wellness Month
  • National Pitbull Awareness Month
  • National Women's Small Business Month
  • October 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week (observed the first week of October)
  • October 1-7: Animal Welfare Week (observed the first whole week of October)
  • October 15-21: National Veterinary Technician Week

Daily Pet Holidays

  • October 1: National Walk Your Dog Day
  • October 1: National Fire Pup Day
  • October 1: National Black Dog Day
  • October 4: World Animal Day
  • October 12: Pet Obesity Awareness Day
  • October 19: Get To Know Your Customers Day
  • October 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
  • October 21: National Reptile Awareness Day
  • October 21: National Fetch Day (observed the third Saturday of October)
  • October 27: National Black Cat Day
  • October 28: National Pitbull Awareness Day
  • October 29: National Cat Day

 

November Pet Holidays & US Holidays

November is the month of giving thanks and celebrating with family and friends. It's also a great time to show appreciation for animal shelters and their needy animals. At Colorfil, we donate 3% of all revenue from the sales of our filters to our local animal shelter to support their mission to improve the lives of animals.

If you're looking for ways to show your appreciation for animal shelters during November, here are some ideas:

  • Volunteer at your local animal shelter. Call them and ask when they need volunteers or if they have any special events that require volunteers.
  •  Like us, give donations to your local animal shelter (they'll know best what they need)
  • If you want to do something fun as a family, consider adopting a new pet from your local shelter! 

Month & Week-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • Pet Cancer Awareness Month
  • National Senior Pet Month
  • Adopt a Senior Pet Month
  • National Adoption Month
  • National Diabetes Month
  • November 5-11: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week (observed the first whole week of November)

Daily Pet Holidays

  • November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
  • November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
  • November 17: Take A Hike Day
  • November 18: National Adoption Day (observed the Monday before Thanksgiving)
  • November 23: National Dog Show

 

December Pet Holidays & US Holidays

December is a month full of holidays and celebrations. From Christmas to New Year's, it's the season to be jolly. Of course, December also has its share of pet holidays to celebrate our furry friends, including National Cat Lover's month, where we celebrate cat lovers everywhere. 

And although there aren't a lot of pet holidays in December, there are still some important ones, like Wildlife Conservation Day and Animal Rights Day.

Month-Long Pet Holiday Celebrations

  • National Cat Lovers' Month

Daily Pet Holidays

  • December 2: National Mutt Day
  • December 4: Wildlife Conservation Day
  • December 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
  • December 10: International Animal Rights Day
  • December 27: Visit the Zoo Day

 

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.