Looking for some fun 2023 pet holidays to celebrate with your furry friend? Don’t miss out on even one special day. Check out this mega list of pet holidays, national dog holidays, and even days for pet parents (like National Dog Mom day). There’s sure to be something on this list that you and your pupper will want to celebrate together.
Or, maybe you’d like to show your veterinarian or vet tech how much you appreciate them? There are special days for that too! Mark them on your calendar, so you can plan ahead.
Our medium Goldendoodles, Chloe and Sadie, are ready to celebrate all the dog holidays. Are you? (A ball dog through and through, Chloe’s favorite dog holiday is National Fetch Day. 🎾 And really, what day isn’t a fetch day!?!)
2023 Pet Holidays: 185+ days, weeks, and months to celebrate
My puppers and I have put our hands and paws to the keyboard to track down all the pet-friendly holidays and create this mega list of over 185. That’s at least a celebration every other day! And probably plenty of content for your dog’s Instagram feed, TikTok, or Facebook posts.
Add these pet-related days to your dog’s social calendar
With this ultimate list of 2023 pet holidays, pet awareness days, and vet appreciation days, you’ll save time and effort searching through national day calendars to find the holidays that are perfect for your furry pal.
Our ultimate pet holidays calendar for 2023 includes more days than ever (even more than our mega 2021 pet holidays list). We’ve included these categories:
- Pet holidays
- Pet awareness days
- Dog holidays
- Veterinary appreciation days
- Dog-friendly events
Plus, because we’re all about sharing happiness here at Happy-Go-Doodle®, we’ve sniffed out fun and unique days that our dogs might want to circle on their calendars too.
You’ll find unique days that your dog might love to celebrate including:
- National Peanut Butter Day
- National Go For a Ride Day
- National Squirrel Appreciation Day 🐿
So let’s have some pet-friendly fun in 2023! That means taking every opportunity to celebrate and bond with our furry pals.
January 2023: Pet Holidays and Dog Holidays
Month-long dog celebrations in January
- Walk Your Dog Month
- Train Your Dog Month
Pet days to celebrate in January
- January 2 ~ National Pet Travel Safety Day 🚙
- January 6 ~ National Cuddle Up Day
- January 12~ Kiss a Ginger Day 😘
- January 14 ~ National Dress Up Your Pet Day 👕
- January 21 ~ National Hugging Day
- January 21 ~ Squirrel Appreciation Day 🐿
- January 24 ~ National Peanut Butter Day (Safety first: Make sure peanut butter does not include xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.) 🥜
- January 24 ~ National Compliment Day
- January 24 ~ National Change a Pet’s Life Day
- January 31~ National Plan for Vacation Day 🏖 (Need ideas? Read our article on dog-friendly Amelia Island, Florida.)
February 2023: Pet Holidays and Awareness Days
Month-long pet celebrations and awareness events in February
- Pet Dental Health Month (Ready to brush up? Get a dog mom’s pearls of wisdom on how to brush your dog’s teeth.)
- Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
- Responsible Pet Owners Month
- Dog Training Education Month
Week-long celebrations and awareness events in February
- Professional Pet Sitters Week (7-13)
- Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week (7-14)
- Justice for Animals Week (19-25)
February animal events
- Puppy Bowl
- Kitty Bowl
Pet days to celebrate in February
| February 2 ~ Sled Dog Day ❄️ February 3 ~ Doggy Date Night February 3 ~ National Golden Retriever Day February 4 ~ National Thank a Mail Carrier Day February 11 ~ National Make a Friend Day February 14- Valentine’s Day & National Pet Theft Awareness Day February 17 ~ National Random Acts of Kindness Day February 19 ~ National Tug-of-War Day February 20 ~ National Love Your Pet Day ❤️ February 22 ~ National Walking the Dog Day 🐾 (Fun twist: Try a dog sniffari!) February 22 ~ Beagle Day February 23 ~ National Dog Biscuit Day February 23 ~ World Spay Day February 27 ~ National Strawberry Day 🍓 |
February 19 is National Tug-of-War Day! Who’s in?
March 2023: Pet Holidays and Awareness Days
Events: March 9-12 Crufts Dog Show 🏆
Month-long awareness event in March
- National Pet Poison Prevention Month
Week-long pet events in March
- Professional Pet Sitters Week (5-11)
- Poison Prevention Week (19-25)
Pet days to celebrate in March
- March 3 ~ National I Want You to Be Happy Day 😊
- March 3 ~ National If Pets Had Thumbs Day
- March 12 ~ National K9 Veterans Day
- March 14 ~ National Learn About Butterflies Day 🦋
- March 15 ~ National Napping Day 💤
- March 16 ~ Everything You Do is Right Day
- March 19 ~ National Let’s Laugh Day 🤣
- March 21 ~ National Goof Off Day
- March 23 ~ National Puppy Day 🐶
- March 28 ~ Respect Your Cat Day 🐱
- March 30 ~ National Take a Walk in the Park Day 🌳
April 2023: Pet Holidays and Awareness Days
HELPFUL TIP: Bookmark this page so you can refer to it throughout the year!
Month-long celebrations and awareness events in April
- Canine Fitness Month
- Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
- Adopt a Greyhound Month
- National Heartworm Awareness Month
- ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Week-long pet awareness events in April
- International Pooper Scooper Week (first week in April)
- National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week (second week in April)
- National Pet ID Week (17-24)
- Dog Bite Prevention Week (9-15)
Pet days to celebrate in April
- April 8 ~ Dog Farting Awareness Day 🐶 💨 🤣
- April 10 – National Hug Your Dog Day
- April 11 ~ National Pet Day
- April 21 ~ National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
- April 23 ~ National Lost Dogs Awareness Day
- April 24 ~ National Sense of Smell Day 🐽
- April 23 ~ National Picnic Day 🧺
- April 25 ~ National Pet Parents Day (last Sunday in April)
- April 29~ World Veterinary Day 🥼
- April 26 ~ National Kids and Pets Day
- April 28 ~ Hairball Awareness Day
- April 30 ~ National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
April 23 is National Picnic Day. Why not celebrate with a picnic with your furry bestie?
May 2023: Pet Holidays and Dog Holidays
Month-long pet awareness events in May:
- Chip Your Pet Month
- National Pet Month
- National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
Event: Westminster Dog Show May 8-9
Week-long pet celebrations in February:
- National Pet Week (first full week)
Pet days to celebrate in May
- May 1 ~ International Doodle Dog Day
- May 3 ~ National Garden Meditation Day
- May 3 ~ National Specially-Abled Pets Day
- May ~ National Dog Mom’s Day (second Saturday in May) 💜
- May ~ National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (second Saturday in May)
- May 9 ~ National Lost Sock Memorial Day 🧦
- May 13 ~ National Dog Mom’s Day
- May 15 ~ National Day of Families
- May 15 ~ National Learn to Swim Day (Practice water safety for 🐶 too!)
- May 16 ~ National Love a Tree Day 🐶 ❤️ 🌳
- May 20 ~ National Pick Strawberries Day & Rescue Dog Day
- May 30 ~ National Water a Flower Day 💦 🌸
- May 31 ~ National Smile Day 😊
May 15 is National Learn to Swim Day. Help you dog make a splash with a life vest!
June 2023: Pet Holidays and Awareness Days
Month-long celebrations and awareness events in June
- National Pet Preparedness Month
- Adopt-a-Cat Month
- National Foster a Pet Month
- National Microchipping Month
Week-long pet celebrations in June
- Pet Appreciation Week (first full week of June)
Pet days to celebrate in June
- June 1 ~ National Say Something Nice Day
- June 2 ~ National Running Day 👟🐾
- June 2 ~ National Leave the Office Early Day 🕓
- June 4 ~ Corgi Day
- June 4 ~ National Hug Your Cat Day 🐈
- June 8 ~ National Best Friends Day
- June 13 ~ National Weed Your Garden Day
- June 14 ~ International Bath Day 🐶 🛁
- June 15 ~ National Smile Power Day
- June 17 – National Dog Dad’s Day ❤️
- June 17 ~ National Eat Your Vegetables Day (Dogs too! 🥕 🥦)
- June 18 ~ Veterinary Appreciation Day (Use hashtag #veterinarylove)
- June 22 ~ National Kissing Day 😘
- June 25 ~ National Take Your Dog to Work Day 🐕
Pooch smooch! June 22 is National Kissing Day!
July 2023: Pet Holidays and Awareness Days
Month-long pet awareness events in July
- Lost Pet Prevention Month
- Pet Hydration Month
- National Doghouse Repairs Month
Pet days to celebrate in July
- July 1~ National ID Your Pet Day
- July 3 ~ National Play Outside Day (first Saturday of every month)
- July 10 ~ National Kitten Day
- July 11 ~ All American Pet Photo Day 📷
- July 15 ~ National Pet Fire Safety Day
- July 19 ~ National Get Out of the Doghouse Day
- July 30 ~ International Friendship Day
- July 31 ~ National Mutt Day
August Pet Holidays and Awareness Days in 2023
Month-long pet awareness events in August
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- National Wellness Month
Week-long dog awareness event in August
- International Assistance Dog Week (first week of August)
Pet days to celebrate in August
- August 1 ~ Dogust 1st: Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs 🥳
- August ~ National Friendship Day (first Sunday of August)
- August 5 ~ National Work Like a Dog Day
- August 6 ~ National Fresh Breath Day
- August 8 ~ International Cat Day 😺
- August 8 ~ National Happiness Happens Day 😁
- August 8 ~ Odie Day
- August 10 ~ National Spoil Your Dog Day 🐩
- August 15 ~ Check the Chip Day
- August 15 ~ National Relaxation Day
- August 17 ~ National Black Cat Appreciation Day
- August 21 ~ 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 🌈
- August 28 ~ National Thoughtful Day
- August 30 ~ National Holistic Pet Day
September 2023: Pet Holidays and Awareness Days
Month-long celebrations and awareness events in September
- Pet Health Insurance Month
- National Guide/Service Dog Month
- Responsible Dog Ownership Month
- Pet Sitter Education Month
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
Pet days to celebrate in September
- September 9 ~ National Teddy Bear Day 🐻
- September 12 ~ National Pet Memorial Day
- September 12 ~ National Day of Encouragement
- September ~ National Hug Your Hound Day (second Sunday in September)
- September 17 ~ National Pet Bird Day 🐦
- September 18 ~ National Dance Day 🩰
- September 18 ~ National Responsible Dog Ownership Day
- September 20-27 – National Dog Week
- September ~ National Family Day (fourth Monday in September)
- September 28 ~ World Rabies Day
- September 30 ~ National Love People Day
September 9 is National Teddy Bear Day.
October Pet Holidays and Awareness Days in 2023
Month-long celebrations and awareness events in October
- National Pet Wellness Month
- Adopt-a-Dog Month
- Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month
- National Animal Safety and Protection Month
Week-long celebrations and awareness events in October
- October 1-7 ~ Walk Your Dog Week
- October 15-21~ National Veterinary Technician Week
Pet days to celebrate in October
- October 1 ~ World Smile Day 😁
- October 1 ~ National Hair Day
- October 1 ~ National Fire Pup Day 🚒
- October 1 ~ National Black Dog Day 🐕🦺
- October 5 ~ National Get Funky Day
- October 5 ~ National Do Something Nice Day
- October ~ National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day (second Wednesday in October) 🐻
- October 13 ~ National Pet Obesity Day
- October 16 ~ National Fetch Day 🎾
- October 19 ~ National New Friends Day
- October 22 ~ National Make a Dog’s Day 🐕🦺
- October 21 ~ National Pets for Veterans Day
- October 26 ~ National Pit Bull Awareness Day
November Pet Holidays and Dog Holidays in 2023
Month-long celebrations and awareness events in November
- National Senior Pet Month/Senior Pet Adoption Month
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month
- Pet Diabetes Month
Pet days to celebrate in November
- November 1 ~ National Cook for Your Pets Day 🥦
- November 1 ~ International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day
- November 5 ~ National Love Your Red Hair Day (so many red dogs to celebrate like red Goldendoodles)
- November ~ National Play Outside Day (first Saturday of the month) 🌲
- November 7 ~ National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
- November 13 ~ World Kindness Day
- November 14 ~ National Seat Belt Day
- November 17 ~ National Hiking Day & National Take A Hike Day 🌲🐶
- November 18 ~ National Princess Day
- November 21 ~ World Hello Day 🌎
- November 22 ~ Go For a Ride Day 🚗 🐶
December 2023: Pet Holidays and Awareness Days
Month-long celebrations in December
- National Cat Lovers’ Month
Pet days to celebrate in December
- December 2 ~ National Mutt Day
- December 4 ~ National Sock Day 🧦
- December 5 ~ Bathtub Party Day 🛁 (A great day to give your dog a bath!)
- December 9 ~ International Day of Veterinary Medicine 🩺
- December 10 ~ International Animal Rights Day
- December 15 ~ Cat Herders Day
- December 18 ~ National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day 🎄
Pet holidays make great pawty times
That wraps up up 2023 pet holidays mega list.
Thanks for taking time from your busy day to stop by our cozy online home.
We hope you have found more holidays, occasions, and special days to celebrate with your favorite pets in 2023.
Now let’s start planning, celebrating, and honoring those who make our lives happier, smilier, and just plain better!
And, remember, mark down your favorite pet holidays (or bookmark this page) so you can plan out your furry friend’s calendar.
Most of all, we hope you celebrate every day with your pet! Life truly is a party when you have a furry friend enjoying each moment with you.