What Day Is Pet Day? A 2025 Guide to Pet Holidays & Celebrations

Pet lovers rejoice! Every day can feel like pet day when you’re surrounded by furry, scaled, or feathered companions. But did you know there are actual designated days to celebrate our pets and different types of animals throughout the year? If you’re wondering, “What Day Is Pet Day?”, the answer isn’t as simple as just one date. In fact, there are multiple days dedicated to pets, both generally and specifically, along with a whole calendar year filled with pet-related holidays and observances.

This guide will walk you through the exciting world of pet holidays in 2025, ensuring you don’t miss a single opportunity to celebrate your beloved animals and raise awareness for important pet-related causes. From general pet appreciation days to breed-specific celebrations and health awareness months, get ready to mark your calendars for a year full of pet festivities!

Alt text: A cheerful pug wearing a “Happy New Year” headband, symbolizing pet celebrations at the start of the year.

Understanding “Pet Day” and Other Key Celebrations

While there isn’t one single, universally recognized “Pet Day,” several dates stand out for celebrating pets in general. The most prominent is National Pet Day, observed annually on April 11th. This special day is dedicated to celebrating all pets and encourages adoption from shelters and rescue organizations. It’s a fantastic opportunity to shower your pets with extra love and attention while also advocating for animals in need.

Another significant day for pet appreciation is Love Your Pet Day, which falls on February 20th. As the name suggests, this day is all about expressing affection for your pets. While every day should be filled with love for our animals, Love Your Pet Day provides an extra nudge to go the extra mile in showing your pets how much they mean to you.

Beyond these general celebrations, many other days throughout the year focus on specific types of pets or pet-related themes. Let’s explore the monthly breakdown of pet holidays in 2025 to give you a comprehensive overview.

Alt text: A tabby cat lounging next to a Valentine’s Day card, representing February’s Love Your Pet Day and Valentine’s Day celebrations.

2025 Monthly Pet Holiday Calendar

Here’s a month-by-month guide to pet holidays and observances in 2025, ensuring you have a full year of celebrations and awareness events at your fingertips.

January 2025 Pet Holidays

January sets the stage for a pet-conscious year with several important themes and dates. It’s Walk Your Pet Month and National Train Your Dog Month, emphasizing the importance of exercise and training for canine companions. January is also Adopt a Rescued Bird Month, encouraging homes for feathered friends in need.

January 1: New Year’s Day – While not pet-specific, it’s a time to consider new beginnings and pet resolutions.
January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day – Promoting safe travel practices for pets.
January 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day – A fun, feline-focused start to the year.
January 5: National Bird Day – Celebrating birds and their importance in our ecosystem.
January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day – A lighthearted day for pet owners to have fun with pet fashion (safely and comfortably, of course!).
January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day – A humorous take on understanding feline communication.
January 24: Change A Pet’s Life Day – Encouraging actions that positively impact pets’ lives, especially those in shelters.
January 28: National Plan for Vacation Day – Important for pet owners to plan pet care during vacations.

February 2025 Pet Holidays

February continues the focus on pet well-being with Pet Dental Health Month, National Cat Health Month, and Responsible Pet Owners Month. It’s also Dog Training Education Month, Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, and Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, highlighting crucial aspects of pet care and responsible ownership.

February 2: National Hedgehog Day & Groundhog Day – Celebrating hedgehogs and the well-known Groundhog Day.
February 3: National Golden Retriever Day – Dedicated to the popular and beloved Golden Retriever breed.
February 3: Annual Doggie Date Night – Encouraging pet owners to spend quality time with their dogs.
February 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week – Raising awareness about the negative impacts of chaining dogs.
February 14: National Pet Theft Awareness Day in the US & Valentine’s Day – Highlighting pet safety and combining pet love with Valentine’s Day.
February 16-22: National Justice for Animals Week – Focusing on animal rights and welfare.
February 20: Love Your Pet Day – A day dedicated to showing extra affection to your pets.
February 22: Walking The Dog Day – Promoting dog walks for health and bonding.
February 23: National Dog Biscuit Day – Celebrating a classic dog treat.
February 25: World Spay Day – A global effort to promote spaying and neutering pets.

March 2025 Pet Holidays

March brings in Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month and Poison Prevention Awareness Month, focusing on specific pet types and safety.

March 1: Horse Protection Day & National Pig Day – Raising awareness for horse welfare and celebrating pigs.
March 2-8: PSI’s 31st annual Professional Pet Sitters Week – Recognizing the valuable work of professional pet sitters.
March 3: World Wildlife Day – Celebrating and raising awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants.
March 4: PSI’s 2025 FOCUS One-Day Online Summit for Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers – An event for pet care professionals.
March 5: Thank Your Pet Sitter Day – A day to appreciate pet sitters for their care and dedication.
March 13: K9 Veterans Day – Honoring dogs who have served in the military and other services.
March 14: UK Dog Theft Awareness Day – Focusing on dog theft prevention in the UK.
March 16-22: National Animal Poison Prevention Week – Educating pet owners about potential poisons and prevention.
March 17: PSI’s 31st Birthday – Celebrating Petsitters International’s anniversary.
March 23: National Puppy Day & Cuddly Kitten Day – Celebrating the joy of puppies and kittens.
March 28: Respect Your Cat Day – Encouraging understanding and respect for feline behavior.
March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day – Promoting outdoor activities with pets.

Alt text: A reddish-brown guinea pig nestled in a white crocheted blanket, representing Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month in March.

April 2025 Pet Holidays

April is packed with awareness campaigns including Heartworm Awareness Month, National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month, and Canine Fitness Month. It’s a significant month for pet health and well-being.

April 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week & National Raw Feeding Week – Addressing responsible pet waste disposal and raw pet food diets.
April 2: National Ferret Day – Celebrating ferrets as pets.
April 4: World Stray Animals Day & World Rat Day – Raising awareness for stray animals globally and celebrating rats as pets.
April 6: National Siamese Cat Day – Dedicated to the elegant Siamese cat breed.
April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day – Working to stop dog fighting and promote animal welfare.
April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day – A day for dog owners to show physical affection to their canine friends.
April 11: National Pet Day & Dog Therapy Appreciation Day – Celebrating all pets and recognizing therapy dogs. This is a key answer to “what day is pet day?”.
April 12: World Hamster Day – Celebrating hamsters as pets.
April 13-19: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week & National Dog Bite Prevention Week – Recognizing animal control professionals and promoting dog bite prevention.
April 14-20: National Pet ID Week – Encouraging pet identification for safety.
April 18: Pet Owners Day – A general day to celebrate pet ownership.
April 19: National Cat Lady Day – A day to celebrate and appreciate cat lovers.
April 21: Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day & Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week – Celebrating Bulldogs and the link between animal cruelty and human violence.
April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day & National Scoop the Poop Week – Focusing on finding lost dogs and responsible pet waste disposal.
April 25: Hairball Awareness Day – Addressing the common issue of hairballs in cats.
April 26: World Veterinary Day – Recognizing veterinarians and their contributions to animal health.
April 27: Free Feral Cat Spay Day & National Pet Parents Day & Adopt a Shelter Pet Day & National Therapy Animal Day & National Tabby Day – A day with multiple celebrations focusing on feral cat welfare, pet parenting, shelter pet adoption, therapy animals, and tabby cats.
April 30: International Guide Dog Day – Celebrating guide dogs and their impact on people’s lives.

Alt text: A yellow Labrador Retriever carrying a red pet first aid kit in its mouth in a field, illustrating National Pet First Aid Awareness Month in April.

May 2025 Pet Holidays

May is PSI’s Pet-Sitter Safety Month, National Pet Month, Chip Your Pet Month, and Responsible Animal Guardian Month, emphasizing pet safety, general pet appreciation, microchipping, and responsible pet guardianship.

May 1: National Purebred Dog Day – Celebrating purebred dogs and responsible breeding.
May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day – Celebrating pets with special needs and their abilities.
May 4: Bird Day & Mayday for Mutts – Celebrating birds and mixed-breed dogs.
May 4-10: Puppy Mill Action Week & National Pet Week & American Humane Be Kind to Animals Week – Fighting puppy mills, celebrating pets in general and promoting kindness to animals.
May 5-11: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week – Raising awareness about anxiety in dogs.
May 5: Cinco de Meow Day – A feline-themed play on Cinco de Mayo.
May 10: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day & National Hamster Day & National Dog Mom Day – Preparing for pet safety during disasters, celebrating hamsters and dog mothers.
May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day – Celebrating the Chihuahua breed.
May 17: World Dog Day – A global celebration of dogs.
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day – Highlighting the wonderful qualities of rescue dogs.
May 23: World Turtle Day – Celebrating and conserving turtles and tortoises.

Alt text: A cockatiel skateboarding, representing the fun and active spirit of pets celebrated during National Pet Month in May.

June 2025 Pet Holidays

June is National Adopt a Cat Month, National Pet Preparedness Month, National Microchipping Month, and National Foster a Pet Month, focusing on cat adoption, pet emergency preparedness, microchipping, and fostering.

June 1-7: Pet Appreciation Week PAW – A week dedicated to appreciating pets.
June 4: Hug Your Cat Day & International Corgi Day – Encouraging feline affection and celebrating Corgis.
June 8: National Best Friends Day – Often including our pets as our best friends.
June 10: World Pet Memorial Day – Remembering and honoring deceased pets.
June 15-21: Animal Rights Awareness Week – Raising awareness about animal rights.
June 16-20: PSI’s Take Your Pet To Work Week® – Promoting pet-friendly workplaces.
June 16: Take Your Cat To Work Day – Specifically for feline office companions.
June 18: Clean Your Aquarium Day – Focusing on aquarium maintenance for fish health.
June 20: Take Your Dog To Work Day – The most well-known day of Take Your Pet to Work Week.
June 24: Cat World Domination Day – A humorous feline-themed day.

Alt text: A small dog with a paw on a laptop keyboard, illustrating Take Your Pet to Work Week in June.

July 2025 Pet Holidays

July is Lost Pet Prevention Month and National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, emphasizing pet safety during summer and the importance of hydration.

July 1: National ID Your Pet Day – Reinforcing the importance of pet identification.
July 7: National Koi Day – Celebrating Koi fish.
July 10: National Kitten Day – Dedicated to kittens.
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day – Encouraging pet owners to take and share photos of their pets.
July 15: I Love Horses Day & National Pet Fire Safety Day – Celebrating horses and promoting pet fire safety.
July 16: World Snake Day – Celebrating snakes and reptiles.
July 21: National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day – Encouraging crafting for animal shelters.
July 26: National Dog Photography Day – Celebrating dog photography.
July 31: National Mutt Day – Celebrating mixed-breed dogs.

Alt text: Four fluffy kittens in a pet bed, representing National Kitten Day and the joys of kittenhood in July.

August 2025 Pet Holidays

August includes National Immunization Awareness Month and National Wellness Month, focusing on pet health and preventative care.

August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs – A universal birthday for shelter dogs, making it easier to celebrate them.
August 3-9: International Assistance Dog Week & International Assistance Dog Day – Recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs.
August 5: Work Like a Dog Day – A humorous take on hard work, inspired by dogs.
August 8: International Cat Day – A global celebration of cats.
August 10: Spoil Your Dog Day – A day to pamper your canine companion.
August 15: Check the Chip Day – Reminding pet owners to check their pet’s microchip.
August 16: Clear the Shelters Day & International Homeless Animals’ Day – Major events focused on pet adoption and homeless animal awareness.
August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day & International Black Cat Day – Dedicated to black cats, often overlooked for adoption.
August 22: National Take Your Cat To The Vet Day – Encouraging preventative veterinary care for cats.
August 23: International Blind Dog Day – Celebrating blind dogs and their resilience.
August 26: National Dog Day & World Dog Day – A major celebration of dogs worldwide.
August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day – A day to remember pets who have passed away.
August 30: National Holistic Pet Day – Promoting holistic approaches to pet health.

Alt text: A veterinarian holding a dog, symbolizing National Immunization Awareness Month and pet wellness in August.

September 2025 Pet Holidays

September is PSI’s Pet-Sitter Education Month, Responsible Dog Ownership Month, Happy Healthy Cat Month, National Pet Insurance Month, National Preparedness Month, Animal Pain Awareness Month, National Service Dog Month, and National Pet Memorial Month. It’s a month packed with diverse pet-related themes from education and responsibility to health and remembrance.

September 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day – Celebrating ginger cats.
September 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day & National Iguana Awareness Day – Recognizing dog walkers and raising awareness for iguanas.
September 9-11: PSI’s 2025 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference – A major event for pet sitting professionals.
September 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day – Raising awareness about birth defects in pets.
September 14: National Pet Memorial Day & National Hug Your Hound Day – Remembering pets and celebrating hounds.
September 14-20: Adopt a Less-Adoptable-Pet Week – Encouraging adoption of pets with special needs or challenges.
September 15-21: Small Pet Rodent Awareness Week (UK) – Focusing on small pet rodents in the UK.
September 17: National Pet Bird Day – Another day to celebrate pet birds.
September 20: AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day & Puppy Mill Awareness Day – Promoting responsible dog ownership and fighting puppy mills.
September 21-27: National Dog Week & National Deaf Pet Awareness Week – Celebrating dogs and raising awareness for deaf pets.
September 25: Remember Me Thursday – A global awareness campaign for orphan pets.
September 27: Neighborhood Pet Store Day – Supporting local pet stores.
September 28: International Rabbit Day & World Rabies Day – Celebrating rabbits and raising rabies awareness.

Alt text: A fluffy rabbit eating hay, representing International Rabbit Day and small pet celebrations in September.

October 2025 Pet Holidays

October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, American Humane’s Adopt-a-Dog Month®, National Pet Wellness Month, National Pitbull Awareness Month, and National Women’s Small Business Month. October is heavily focused on adoption, safety, and wellness, alongside specific breed awareness.

October 1: National Fire Pup Day & National Black Dog Day – Celebrating firehouse dogs and black dogs (another group often overlooked for adoption).
October 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week – Promoting dog walking for health and well-being.
October 3-9: Animal Welfare Week – A general week dedicated to animal welfare.
October 4: World Animal Day – A global day for animal rights and welfare.
October 8: Pet Obesity Awareness Day – Raising awareness about pet obesity.
October 12-18: National Veterinary Technician Week – Recognizing veterinary technicians and their essential role in animal care.
October 18: National Fetch Day – Celebrating the fun activity of fetch with dogs.
October 21: National Pets for Veterans Day & National Reptile Awareness Day – Honoring pets for veterans and raising reptile awareness.
October 25: National Pitbull Awareness Day – Dedicated to Pitbulls and fighting breed discrimination.
October 27: National Black Cat Day (UK) – Black cat appreciation in the UK.
October 29: National Cat Day – Another major celebration of cats.

Alt text: A bearded dragon being held, representing National Reptile Awareness Day in October.

November 2025 Pet Holidays

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, National Senior Pet Month, Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and Pet Diabetes Month, with a strong focus on senior pet health and specific health concerns.

November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day – Encouraging homemade pet food (with proper research and guidance).
November 2-8: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week – Recognizing animal shelters and rescue organizations.
November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day – Raising awareness about canine lymphoma.
November 12: Fancy Rate and Mouse Day – Celebrating rats and mice as pets.
November 17: Take A Hike Day – Encouraging outdoor activities with pets (weather permitting).
November 22: National Adoption Day – A significant day for human and pet adoptions.
November 29: Small Business Saturday – Supporting local businesses, including pet-related ones.

Alt text: Two rats snuggling in a blue blanket, representing Fancy Rat and Mouse Day in November.

December 2025 Pet Holidays

December concludes the year with National Cat Lovers’ Month and several specific days.

December 2: National Mutt Day – Another celebration of mixed-breed dogs.
December 4: Wildlife Conservation Day – Focusing on global wildlife conservation.
December 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine – Recognizing veterinary medicine globally.
December 10: International Animal Rights Day – Another day dedicated to animal rights.
December 15: National Cat Herder’s Day – A humorous day referencing the challenge of “herding cats.”

Alt text: A cat and dog relaxing in front of a Christmas tree, symbolizing pet companionship during the holiday season and National Cat Lovers’ Month in December.

Celebrate Pets Every Day!

While National Pet Day on April 11th is a prominent answer to “what day is pet day?”, this calendar reveals that every month offers numerous opportunities to celebrate and focus on the well-being of our pets and animals worldwide. From breed-specific days to health awareness months, there’s always a reason to appreciate the animals in our lives and support pet-related causes. Use this guide to plan your pet celebrations, social media content, and awareness campaigns throughout 2025, making it a truly pet-centric year!