Every activity, food, and item seems to have its own holiday. There’s National Coffee Day, Make A Friend Day, and even Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day. It is not surprising then that there are numerous holidays for pet lovers to celebrate throughout the year. To start off the New Year, here are 12 little-known dog holidays for each month.
1. January 14 – National Dress Up Your Pet Day
It’s Halloween in January for the pets with National Dress Up Your Pet Day. Start off the new year with a day dedicated to dressing up your pet in silly costumes. This fun holiday was founded in 2009 by fellow animal lover Collen Paige.
Dress your pets up in fun outfits found online or even get crafty and create your own. Also always remember to make sure your pet feels comfortable in their outfit, and it fits correctly.
Be sure to use #dressupyourpetday on all your social media platforms to join other fur-friends in participating in the holiday.
2. February 23 – International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
All dogs love a tasty treat. This holiday is truly one for the dogs as it is meant to celebrate dog biscuits, which dogs have been eating since the time of the Romans. From bully sticks to chicken flavored biscuits, there’s a treat for every dog to love.
Celebrate this fun holiday by giving your pup their favorite dog treat. Even better look up recipes and try to make some dog biscuits yourself.
3. March 30 – Take a Walk in the Park Day
Most dogs love a good long walk, so why not celebrate Take a Walk in the Park Day. This holiday is meant to encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy the fresh air including our furry friends.
To take part in this holiday take your pet to a local pet-friendly park or a dog park. Also, check out if there is a dog-friendly National Park in your area.
4. April – National Pet Parent’s Day
With so many holidays celebrating dogs, there, of course, has to be a holiday honoring all dog moms and dads. National Pet Parent’s Day is celebrated the last Sunday in April and was created in 2007 by Veterinary Pet Insurance.
The holiday is meant to celebrate the bond between dog moms and dads and man’s best friend. It is also intended to celebrate dogs being faithful members of the family.
5. May 3 – National Specially-Abled Pets Day
National Specially-Abled Pets Day honors all furry friends that are living with a disability. The holiday’s goal is to show that disabled pets are just as lovable and fun as other animals.
This day attempts to educate the public and provide resources about caring for a disabled pet as well as promoting the rescue of dogs with a disability.
6. June – Take Your Dog to Work Day
Celebrated the Friday after Father’s Day, this holiday celebrates dogs and encourages businesses and workplaces to allow employees to bring their pooch to work. Pet Sitters International founded the holiday in 1999 and uses the event to honor dogs and the joy they bring to our lives.
The holiday is also used to advocate for pet adoption. Many businesses hold fundraisers to support local animal shelters and some even host pet fairs to support local animal businesses.
Ask your employer if they are participating in this holiday, so you can celebrate by bringing your pup to work.
7. July 21 – National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day
For all you crafty and artistic dog parents out there, this is the dog holiday for you. National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day is a dog holiday that is meant to give back to all the shelters and rescues helping animals throughout the country. Erika Lindquist created the holiday in 2012.
The idea of the holiday is to create crafts and items that can be donated to your local shelter. Create dog beds, dog toys, and bandanas to help your local animal rescue. Before donating, contact your local shelter and find out what they need, so you can help give their most needed items.
8. August 15 – Check the Chip Day
Check the Chip Day is a holiday created by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association to raise awareness about microchipping your pooch.
To celebrate the holiday, make sure your pet is microchipped, and the microchip is registered. Also, help spread the word about the importance of getting dogs microchipped and to always keep the information up to date.
9. September – National Hug Your Hound Day
National Hug Your Hound Day is meant to remind you to show love to your dog and realize how important it is to form a lifelong relationship with your best friend. This dog holiday was started by Ami Moore, a canine behavioral specialist, and is celebrated the second Sunday of September.
Celebrate this holiday by spending the day with your dog and doing their favorite activity. Give your pup lots of love and treat them to their favorite snack.
10. October 1 – National Black Dog Day
National Black Dog Day is a dog holiday meant to shine the light on our beloved black pups. The holiday is supposed to celebrate the beauty of these dogs and bring awareness to the fact black dogs are less likely to get adopted in animal shelters.
Enjoy this holiday with your dog by sharing a photo of your pup with #nationalblackdogday.
11. November – National Senior Pet Month
November honors all the senior dogs in our lives with National Senior Pet Month. Senior dogs may not have as much energy as younger pups, but that doesn’t mean they still don’t love to play and have lots of love to give. This month of awareness helps celebrate senior dogs by reminding us of all the great qualities of these lovable pups.
National Senior Pet Month also helps encourage the fostering and adoption of senior pets, who are less likely to be adopted than younger animals.
So throughout November and the whole year, make sure to show extra love to your elderly dog.
12. December 2 – National Mutt Day
National Mutt Day is a dog holiday that celebrates all mixed breed pups. Like National Dress Up Your Pet Day, it is founded by Collen Paige and is also celebrated on July 31.
The holiday is meant to remind everyone to rescue dogs and support your local shelters.
Be sure to snap photos of your mixed pooch and post on social media with #NationalMuttDay to celebrate your best friend.
Mark your calendars down with these dates and make sure you celebrate these holidays with your dog.
What are some of your favorite dog holidays? Let us know in the comments!
I love this Rebecca! My favorite holiday is Trixie’s Birthday. An extra excuse to give her extra hugs and kisses!
So glad you enjoyed it Ellen! Can’t wait to celebrate Trixie’s birthday on Instagram!
I love this list and try to keep up with all the holidays where possible although my blonde moments do happen LOL. – thanks for sharing them here
I’m always fascinated by the many National Holidays there are. I didn’t know about Specially Abled Pet Day.
International dog biscuit appreciation day? Cookie would love to celebrate that. She always gets some at a gas station, she keeps looking for people coming up and giving her some.
These are all great pet holidays. It’s nice that we pet parents are appreciated too. Thanks for sharing these little known pet holidays.
Glad you loved it!