As dog lovers, we know how important it is to celebrate our loyal companions every chance we get. From special observances recognizing the bond between humans and dogs to fun days that highlight their unique qualities, there’s no shortage of reasons to show our love for our dogs.
Below is a month-by-month list of dog-related holidays you can celebrate with your four-legged friend. Mark your calendars and make the most of these special days to honor your dog!
January: Kick off the Year with Dog Celebrations!
- Walk Your Pet Month
- National Train Your Dog Month
- January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
- January 6: National Cuddle Up Day
- January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
- January 21: National Hugging Day
- January 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day
February: Celebrate Your Pup’s Health & Happiness!
- National Dog Training Education Month
- February 3: National Golden Retriever Day
- February 3: Annual Doggie Date Night
- February 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
- February 14: National Pet Theft Awareness Day (Although U.S. based, we can raise awareness in Canada too!)
- February 20: Love Your Pet Day
- February 22: Walking The Dog Day
- February 23: National Dog Biscuit Day
- February 25: National Cuddly Dog Day
March: Spring into Action with Your Dog!
- March 1-8: Professional Pet Sitters Week
- March 16-22: National Animal Poison Prevention Week
- March 1: Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Begins
- March 13: K9 Veterans Day
- March 23: National Puppy Day
- March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day
April: Springtime Fun for Your Dog!
- Heartworm Awareness Month
- National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
- Canine Fitness Month (AKA Active Dog Month)
- April 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week
- April 1-7: National Raw Feeding Week
- April 13-19: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week
- April 13-19: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
- April 14-20: National Pet ID Week
- April 21-27: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week
- April 23-29: National Scoop the Poop Week
- April 4: World Stray Animals 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 21: Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
- April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
- April 30: International Guide Dog Day
- April 27: National Little Pampered Dog Day
- April 26: World Veterinary Day
- April 27: National Pet Parents Day
- April 30: Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
- April 30: National Therapy Animal Day
May: Celebrate Your Dog All Month Long!
- National Pet Month
- National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
- Chip Your Pet Month
- Responsible Animal Guardian Month
- May 4-10: Puppy Mill Action Week
- May 4-10: National Pet Week
- May 5-11: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week
- May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
- May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day
- May 4: Mayday for Mutts
- May 10: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
- May 10: National Dog Mom Day
- May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
- May 17: World Dog Day
- May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
June: Fun in the Sun with Your Dog!
- National Pet Preparedness Month
- National Microchipping Month
- National Foster a Pet Month
- June 1-7: Pet Appreciation Week (PAW)
- June 15-21: Animal Rights Awareness Week
- June 16-20: Take Your Pet To Work Week®
- June 4: International Corgi Day
- June 8: National Best Friends Day
- June 10: World Pet Memorial Day
- June 20: Take Your Dog To Work Day
- June 21: Dog Party Day
- June 28: World Day Against the Abandonment of Domestic Animals
July: Summer Celebrations with Your Pup!
- National Lost Pet Prevention Month
- National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
- Independent Retailer Month
- July 1: National ID Your Pet Day
- July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
- July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
- July 26: National Dog Photography Day
- July 31: National Mutt Day
August: Keep Cool with Your Dog!
- Rawgust (Celebrate raw feeding for pets!)
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- National Back-To-School Month
- August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
- August 4: Assistance Dog Day
- August 5: Work Like a Dog Day
- August 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
- August 16: Clear the Shelters Day
- August 16: International Homeless Animals' 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: Fall Fun and Awareness for Dogs!
- National Pet Insurance Month
- Pet-Sitter Education Month
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
- National Service Dog Month
- National Pet Memorial Month
- September 14-20: Adopt a Less-Adoptable-Pet Week
- September 21-27: National Dog Week
- September 21-27: National Deaf Pet Awareness Week
- September 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
- September 14: National Pet Memorial Day
- September 14: National Hug Your Hound Day
- September 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
- September 20: AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day
- September 20: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
- September 23: Dogs in Politics Day
- September 25: Remember Me Thursday
- September 28: World Rabies Day
October: Fall in Love with Dogs All Month!
- 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
- October 3-9: Animal Welfare Week
- October 12-18: National Veterinary Technician Week
- October 1: National Fire Pup Day
- October 1: National Black Dog Day
- October 4: World Animal Day
- October 8: Pet Obesity Awareness Day
- October 18: National Fetch Day
- October 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
- October 25: National Pitbull Awareness Day
November: Celebrate the Rescue, Health, and Spirit of Dogs!
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month
- National Senior Pet Month
- Adopt a Senior Pet Month
- National Adoption Month
- National Diabetes Month
- November 2-8: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
- November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
- November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
- November 17: Take a Hike Day
- November 22: National Adoption Day
December: The Joys of Dogs During the Holidays!
- December 2: National Mutt Day
- December 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- December 10: International Animal Rights Day
- December 25: Christmas Day