First, let’s get one thing out of the way—not all pets like traveling on holiday. The good news is that not all holidays demand expensive trips. There are about 150 pet-related holidays out there, and a good chunk of them are low-key observances dedicated to dogs.
You may not have a hundred leave credits to use to celebrate each one, but there are some great pet observances each month that you can celebrate with your pooch in simple, yet meaningful ways.
Since there are 12 months in a year and it’s 2024, we’ve decided to recommend two holidays for each month. Start planning your perfect pet getaways (if not this year, then next) and bust out your favorite customizable wholesale dog bandanas and other pet merchandise to mark these occasions:
January
- January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day.Tragically, pets get lost when traveling all the time. Use this day to remind yourself to microchip your dog and to invest in quality travel gear that keeps them safe and comfortable on trips.
- January 24: Change A Pet’s Life Day. This day is a great opportunity to think about the various ways that you could make your pet’s life better. If you’re thinking of neutering your dog, finding them a sibling, or moving to a pet-friendly home, this may be the best day to do it.
February
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February 3: Annual Doggie Date Night.Make your dog’s night extra special and full of love by going on a quick trip to the park or the beach with them. Be sure to pack some of their favorite treats.
- February 27: World Spay Day (Last Tuesday in February). If you haven’t spayed your dog yet, this is the perfect time to do so. See if there’s a local pet organization that celebrates this holiday with community spaying and neutering events for free or for an affordable price.
March
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March 13: K9 Veterans Day.This is as good a day as any to remember the sacrifices dogs have made to keep us safe. Why not visit a facility for retired K9s with your dog and sponsor meals or veterinary care for them?
- March 23: National Puppy Day.Our dogs will always be our fur babies, so make sure to offer the pups in your life their favorite toys and treats on this day.
April
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April 4: World Stray Animals Day. Unfortunately, not every pet has a home or even a shelter to keep them warm. Adopt a pet on this day or donate to charities that spay and neuter animals to keep the number of strays low.
- April 11: National Pet Day.If your dog has a baby brother or sister of the non-canine persuasion, this is one of the holidays where everyone can share in the fun and frolics.
May
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May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day. Show extra love for your dog with special needs by getting them unique toys or offering them up rare treats. Perhaps it’s also a good idea to make new friends in the large community of pet owners whose pets have special needs, and to attend meetups or advocacy-related events.
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May 21: World Dog Day (3rd Saturday of May).What better day to celebrate dogs of all kinds? Give your dog extra playtime and spend some time learning about other remarkable dogs on this special day.
June
- June 11: World Pet Memorial Day (2nd Tuesday of June).Take a few moments on this day to remember all the dogs and other pets who made a big impact on your life before crossing the rainbow bridge.
- June 21: Take Your Dog to Work Day.If your dog has the right temperament and your workplace allows it, this can be an enriching day for everyone involved. Tip off your dog-owning coworkers ahead of time so that you can all go out for a doggie-themed excursion after work.
July
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July 1: National ID Your Pet Day.Many lost pets are unable to reunite with their owners because of missing tags or microchips. If your dog hasn’t been chipped yet, take the day off to have them tagged at the vet.
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July 26: National Dog Photography Day.Share your love for your pup by taking the best pics you can of them and sharing them on social media.
August
- August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs.If you’re fortunate enough to have a shelter dog with a mysterious past in your life, celebrate their origins on this special day.
- August 26: National Dog Day.In case you missed World Dog Day in May, you can still make up for your lapse by celebrating your dog’s awesomeness today.
September
- September 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day.Do you have a regular dog walker? If so, show your appreciation for their role in enriching your dog’s life with a small gift from you and your pup.
- September 8: National Hug Your Hound Day (observed the second Sunday in September).Two observances fall on this day, so make sure it counts by hugging your pooch—but only if they’re up for it.
October
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October 12: Pet Obesity Awareness Day.Lifestyle illnesses are now a major cause of concern for pet owners. Use this day to kick off the start of your dog’s healthier lifestyle.
- October 19: National Fetch Day (observed on the third Saturday of October).Every day should be fetch day. However, if you need one day to celebrate the awesomeness of this pastime to the fullest, this one’s it.
November
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November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day.If you’ve ever been interested in feeding your dog wholesome home-prepped meals made from whole foods, National Cook for Your Pets Day is the ideal occasion.
- November 25: National Adoption Day (observed the Monday before Thanksgiving). Most of us have plenty to be thankful for when it comes to our dogs. Commemorate their coming into your life today. Alternatively, use it as an opportunity to visit your local shelter to adopt a dog in need.
December
- December 2: National Mutt Day.Mutts are beautiful, and it’s great that there’s a day that fully acknowledges that. If the special dog in your life is a mixed-breed or from a currently unrecognized breed, make today a time to celebrate how special they are.
- December 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine.Your dog might hate this last holiday, but they wouldn’t be alive and healthy without the hard work and expertise of their vet. Take them to the vet for their annual checkup, and make sure to give them their favorite treats and plenty of kisses right after their visit.
The truth is, these holidays are more for us humans than they are for our dogs. We don’t always need special holidays when every day with our pups is worth celebrating. But the joy in practicing any of these pet-related holidays lies in remembering how multifaceted life with dogs is—and just how many ways our lives are better because of our pooches!