The Ultimate List of Pet Holidays celebrated throughout 2023
/Are you looking for special pet holidays that recognize the special role that pets play in our lives? Some holidays are easy to remember. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas, for example, are holidays that we have no trouble remembering.
But there is a whole slew of holidays that pass quietly every year. These holidays are special because they allow us to celebrate our furry, scaly or feathery best friends.
Every month is full of exciting Pet Holidays. With this list, you can guarantee that you won’t miss celebrating a single one. 🐾 💕
January 2023
National Train Your Dog Month
Walk Your Dog Month/Walk Your Pet Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day; Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
January 5: National Bird Day
January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 21: Squirrel Appreciation Day
January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day
January 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day
February 2023
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
National Pet Dental Health Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
Dog Training Education Month
National Cat Health Month
International Hoof Care Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
February 2: National Hedgehog Day; Groundhog Day
February 3: National Golden Retriever Day; Doggy Date Night
February 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day; Valentine’s Day
February 19-25: National Justice for Animals Week
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
February 22: Walking the Dog Day
February 23: National Dog Biscuit Day
February 28: World Spay Day
March 2023
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
March 1: National Pig Day; National Horse Protection Day
March 3: If Pets Had Thumbs Day
March 5-11: Professional Pet Sitters Week
March 13: K9 Veterans Day
March 19-25: National Poison Prevention Week
March 23: National Puppy Day; Cuddly Kitten Day
March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
April 2023
Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Frog Month
Canine Fitness Month
National Adopt a Greyhound Month
April 1-7: National Raw Feeding Week; International Pooper Scooper Week
April 2: National Ferret Day
April 4: World Rat Day
April 9-15: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
April 10: National Hug your Dog Day
April 11: National Pet Day
April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
April 26: National Kids and Pets Day
April 28: Hairball Awareness Day
April 29: World Veterinary Day
April 30: National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day; National Therapy Animal Day; National Pet Parents Day
May 2023
National Pet Month
Chip Your Pet Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Lyme Disease Prevention Month
May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day
May 7: Mayday for Mutts
May 7-13: National Pet Week; Be Kind to Animals Week; Puppy Mill Action Week
May 8: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 13: National Dog Mom’s Day
May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
May 23: World Turtle Day
June 2023
National Pet Preparedness Month
Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
National Foster a Pet Month
National Microchipping Month
June 4: Hug Your Cat Day
June 4-10: Pet Appreciation Week
June 13: World Pet Memorial Day
June 19-23: Take your Pet to Work Week
June 19: Take your Cat to Work Day
June 23: Take your Dog to Work Day
June 24: Cat World Domination Day
June 28: National Insurance Awareness Day
July 2023
Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
July 1: ID Your Pet Day
July 10: National Kitten Day
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
July 15: I Love Horses Day; National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 16: World Snake Day
July 21: National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day; No Pet Store Puppies Day
July 31: National Mutt Day
August 2023
August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
August 5: Work Like a Dog Day
August 6-12: International Assistance Dog Week
August 8: International Cat Day
August 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
August 14: World Lizard Day
August 15: Check the Chip Day
August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 19: International Homeless Animals’ Day
August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
August 23: International Blind Dog Day
August 26: National Dog Day
August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
September 2023
Responsible Dog Ownership Month
National Preparedness Month
Animal Pain Awareness Month
National Service Dog Month
National Pet Health Insurance Month
Pet Sitter Education Month
September 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
September 8: National Iguana Awareness Day
September 10: National Pet Memorial Day; National Hug Your Hound Day
September 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
September 16: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
September 17: National Pet Bird Day
September 18-24: Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week
September 20-27: National Dog Week
September 23: International Rabbit Day
September 24-30: Deaf Dog Awareness Week
September 28: World Rabies Day
October 2023
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Pit Bull Awareness Month
October 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week
October 1: National Black Dog Day
October 4: World Animal Day
October 11: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
October 16: Global Cat Day
October 15-21: National Veterinary Technician Week
October 21: Reptile Awareness Day; National Pets for Veterans Day
October 27: National Black Cat Day
October 28: National Pit Bull Awareness Day
October 29: National Cat Day
November 2023
Adopt a Senior Pet Month
National Pet Awareness Month
National Senior Pet Month
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Pet Diabetes Month
November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
November 5-11: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
November 12: Fancy Rat and Mouse Day
November 16: National Slobber Appreciation Day
December 2023
National Cat Lover’s Month
December 2: National Mutt Day
December 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
December 13: National Day of the Horse
December 15: National Cat Herders Day