2024 Pet Holidays List for Dog Brands
Our 2024 pet holiday and observances list gives dog businesses a jumping off point for social media post ideas. We've provided links with additional info on many holidays and observances, many of which are dog and cat related celebrations.
Don't miss our dos and don'ts on how to best integrate holidays into your social media strategy for your pet brand after the holiday list.
January 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
- National Train Your Dog Month
- National CBD Month
- Unchain a Dog Month
- Walk Your Pet Month aka Walk Your Dog Month
Day-Long Observances
- January 1: New Year's Day
- January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
- January 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
- January 5: National Bird Day
- January 6: National Cuddle Up Day
- January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
- January 16: Get To Know Your Customers Day (third Thursday in January, April, July, & October)
- January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- January 21: Squirrel Appreciation Day
- January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day
- January 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day
- January 24: National Peanut Butter Day
- January 29: Lunar New Year
- January 29: Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary
- January 31: National Fun at Work Day (last Friday of January)
February 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
- Black History Month
- Dog Training Education Month
- National Cat Health Month
- Pet Dental Health Month
- Responsible Pet Owners Month
- Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
Week-Long Observances
- February 7–14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
- February 16–22: National Justice for Animals Week (fourth week in February)
Day-Long Observances
- February 2: Groundhog Day
- February 2: Sled Dog Day
- February 3: Doggy Date Night
- February 3: National Golden Retriever Day
- February 9: Super Bowl Sunday
- February 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day
- February 14: Valentine’s Day
- February 17: President’s Day
- February 19: International Tug-of-War Day
- February 20: National Love Your Pet Day
- February 22: National Wildlife Day (also celebrated 9/4)
- February 22: National Walking the Dog Day (aka National Walk the Dog Day)
- February 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day/National Dog Biscuit Day
- February 25: World Spay Day/Spay Day USA (Last Tuesday in February)
- February 27: Polar Bear Day
March 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
- National Pet Poison Prevention Month
Week-Long Observances
- March 2–8: Professional Pet Sitters Week™ (first full week of March)
- March 16–22: National Poison Prevention Week (third week in March)
Day-Long Observances
- March 1: National Pig Day
- March 1: National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
- March 1: Horse Protection Day
- March 1: Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins
- March 3: National If Pets Had Thumbs Day
- March 3: World Wildlife Day
- March 4: Mardi Gras
- March 5: Thank Your Pet Sitter Day™ (Wednesday during Professional Pet Sitters Week™)
- March 7: Employee Appreciation Day (First Friday in March)
- March 9: Daylight Savings Begins
- March 10: National Napping Day (Day after Daylight Savings)
- March 13: National K9 Veterans Day
- March 15: World Sleep Day
- March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
- March 20: Spring Equinox
- March 23: National Puppy Day
- March 23: National Cuddly Kitten Day
- March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
- March 29: National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
- March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day
April 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Active Dog Month
- Canine Fitness Month
- National Adopt a Greyhound Month
- National Heartworm Awareness Month
- National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Week-Long Observances
- April 1–7: International Pooper Scooper Week
- April 1–7: National Raw Feeding Week
- April 7–13: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
- April 14–20: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week
- April 17-23: National Pet ID Week
- April 23-29: National Scoop the Poop Week
- April 28-May 4: National Small Business Week
Day-Long Observances
- April 1: April Fool’s Day
- April 4: Every Day is Tag Day
- April 4: World Stray Animals Day
- April 4: World Rat Day
- April 6: National Siamese Cat Day
- April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
- April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
- April 10: National Siblings Day
- April 11: National Pet Day
- April 11: Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
- April 12: Hamster Day
- April 17: Get to Know Your Customers Day Get To Know Your Customers Day (third Thursday in January, April, July, & October)
- April 18: Pet Owners Day
- April 19: National Cat Lady Day
- April 20: Easter
- April 21: Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 22: Passover Begins
- April 22: National Beagle Day
- April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
- April 24: World Day for Laboratory Animals
- April 26: National Kids and Pets Day
- April 26: International Guide Dog Day
- April 26: Hairball Awareness Day
- April 27: Free Feral Cat Spay Day
- April 27: National Little Pampered Dog Day
- April 27: World Veterinary Day
- April 28: National Pet Parents Day
- April 30: Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
- April 30: National Tabby Day
- April 30: National Therapy Animal Day
- April 30: Passover ends
May 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Chip Your Pet Month
- Lyme Disease Prevention Month
- National Pet Month
- National Service Animal Eye Exam Month
- PSI’s Pet Sitter Safety Month™
- Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Week-Long Observances
- May 5–11: American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals Week
- May 5–11: National Pet Week
- May 5–11: Puppy Mill Action Week
- May 6–12: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week
- May 11-14: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Day-Long Observances
- May 1: May Day
- May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
- May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day
- May 4: Bird Day
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo
- May 5: Cinco de Meow Day
- May 5: Mayday for Mutts
- May 11: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
- May 11: National Dog Mom’s Day
- May 12: Mother’s Day
- May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
- May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
- May 21: World Dog Day
- May 23: World Turtle Day
- May 27: Memorial Day
June 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Adopt-a-Cat Month from the American Humane Association
- Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
- National Foster a Pet Month
- National Pet Preparedness Month
- National Microchipping Month
- Pride Month
Week-Long Observances
- June 2–8: Pet Appreciation Week
- June 17-23: Animal Rights Awareness Week
- June 17–21: Take Your Pet To Work Week®
Day-Long Observances
- June 1: International Sheltie Day
- June 1: National Trails Day®
- June 4: Hug Your Cat Day
- June 4: International Corgi Day
- June 8: Best Friends Day
- June 11: World Pet Memorial Day
- June 15: National Dog Dad's Day
- June 16: Father’s Day
- June 17: Take Your Cat To Work Day
- June 19: National Garfield the Cat Day
- June 19: Juneteenth
- June 17: Take Your Cat To Work Day®
- June 20: Summer Solstice
- June 21: National Dog Party Day
- June 21: Take Your Dog to Work Day
- June 24: Cat World Domination Day
July 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Dog House Repair Month
- Independent Retailer Month
- National Lost Pet Prevention Month
- National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
Day-Long Observances
- July 1: ID Your Pet Day
- July 4: Independence Day
- July 10: National Kitten Day
- July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
- July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
- July 16: World Snake Day
- July 17: Get To Know Your Customers Day (third Thursday in January, April, July, & October)
- July 21: National Craft for your Local Shelters Day
- July 21: No Pet Store Puppies Day
- July 26: National Dog Photography Day
- July 30: International Day of Friendship
- July 31: National Mutt Day
August 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Rawgust
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- National Wellness Month
Week-Long Observances
- August 4–10: International Assistance Dog Week
Day-Long Observances
- August 1: DOGust 1st: Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
- August 4: Assistance Dog Day
- August 4: National Friendship Day
- August 5: Work Like a Dog Day
- August 6: Fresh Breath Day
- August 8: International Cat Day
- August 8: National CBD Day
- August 10: National Spoil Your Dog Day
- August 10: National Lazy Day
- August 14: World Lizard Day
- August 15: National Check the Chip Day
- August 15: National Relaxation Day
- August 17: Clear the Shelters Day
- August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
- August 17: National Nonprofit Day
- August 19: International Homeless Animals’ Day
- August 19: National Honey Bee Day
- August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
- August 23: International Blind Dog Day
- August 26: National/International Dog Day
- August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
- August 30: National Holistic Pet Day
September 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
- Happy Cat Month
- National Service Dog Month
- National Pet Insurance Month
- Disaster Preparedness Month
- Pet Sitter Education Month
- Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Week-Long Observances
- September 16–22: Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week
- September 22–28: National Deaf Dog Awareness Week
- September 22–28: National Dog Week
Day-Long Observances
- September 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
- September 1: Boykin Spaniel Day
- September 2: Labor Day
- September 4 : National Wildlife Day (also celebrated February 22)
- September 7 : International Bacon Day
- September 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
- September 8: National Pet Memorial Day
- September 8: National Hug Your Hound Day
- September 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
- September 17: National Pet Bird Day
- September 19: National Meow Like a Pirate Day
- September 21: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
- September 21: Responsible Dog Ownership Day
- September 22: National Walk ‘n’ Roll Dog Day
- September 22: Fall Equinox
- September 23: Dogs in Politics Day
- September 26: Remember Me Thursday
- September 28: International Rabbit Day
- September 28: World Rabies Day
October 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Celebrations
- Adopt-A-Dog Month / Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month
- Black Cat Awareness Month
- National Animal Safety and Protection Month
- National Pet Wellness Month
- National Pitbull Awareness Month
- National Women’s Small Business Month
- Squirrel Awareness Month
- Wishbones for Pets Month - (October 15 - November 30)
Week-Long Celebrations
- October 1–7: National Walk Your Dog Week
- October 6–12: Animal Welfare Week
- October 20–26: National Veterinary Technician Week
-
October 21-25: National Business Women’s Week
Day-Long Observances
- October 1: National Fire Pup Day
- October 1: National Black Dog Day
- October 2: Rosh Hashanah begins
- October 4: Rosh Hashanah ends
- October 4: World Animal Day
- October 11: Yom Kippur begins
- October 12: Pet Obesity Awareness Day
- October 12: Yom Kippur ends
- October 14: Indigenous People Day
- October 16: National Feral Cat Day
- October 16: Global Cat Day
- October 16: Get To Know Your Customers Day (third Thursday in January, April, July, & October)
- October 19: National Fetch Day
- October 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
- October 27: National Black Cat Day
- October 28: National Pitbull Awareness Day
- October 29: National Cat Day
- October 31: Halloween
November 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Celebrations
- Wishbones for Pets Month - (October 15 - November 30)
- Adopt a Senior Pet Month
- National Senior Pet Month
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month
- Pet Diabetes Month
- Peanut Butter Lovers Month
- Sweet Potato Awareness Month
Week-Long Celebrations
- November 3–9: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
Day-Long Observances
- November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
- November 1: International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day
- November 1: Día de los Muertos begins
- November 2: Día de los Muertos ends
- November 3: Daylight Savings Time Ends
- November 5: Election Day
- November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
- November 11: Veteran's Day
- November 16: National Slobber Appreciation Day
- November 17: National Take a Hike Day
- November 19: National Entrepreneurs' Day
- November 28: National Dog Show Broadcast
- November 28: Thanksgiving
- November 29: Black Friday
- November 30: Small Business Saturday
December 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
Month-Long Observances
- National Cat Lovers’ Month
Week-Long Observances
- December 25–January 3: Hanukkah
- December 26–January 1: Kwanzaa
Day-Long Observances
- December 2: Cyber Monday
- December 2: National Mutt Day (also celebrated July 31)
- December 3: Giving Tuesday
- December 4: National Cookie Day
- December 5: Celebrate Shelter Pets Day
- December 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- December 10: International Animal Rights Day
- December 15: Cat Herders Day
- December 20: Underdog Day
- December 21: Winter Solstice
- December 24: Christmas Eve
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 25: Hanukkah begins
- December 26: Kwanzaa begins
- December 30: National Bacon Day
- December 31: New Year’s Eve
We do our best to ensure accuracy of the dates, however recommend double checking as dates of some celebrations, events and observances are subject to change.
Integrate Holidays into Your Social Media Strategy (the right way)
Wondering how to use these holidays and observances? Instead of simply posting a generic "Happy whatever holiday" plan ahead and be selective about which holidays you choose to include on your business social media account (and other marketing too).
Pick holidays that relate to your business and your audience. Keep in mind that you should know the purpose of every post you make. Is it to build authority and trust? Spread awareness? Gain new followers? Decide what the purpose will be and brainstorm how you can tie the holiday into your marketing.
Planning in advance will allow you to reach out to potential partners so you can collab with them, increasing reach for you both. You might team up with a dog trainer for National Train Your Dog Month, or a veterinarian for National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day for example.
Once you have a plan, make sure you implement it by scheduling posts in advance or setting an alert on your calendar.
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An entire year of holiday graphics! This bundle includes 50 holiday-themed Canva template designs. It's super easy to customize them to match your brand with Canva, and they're compatible with both free and pro Canva accounts. Get each design sized for both Instagram and Facebook for a total of 100 templates.
