Happy New Year!
I hope you and your dog had a great 2022! A new year brings with it new opportunities to celebrate all things dogs. I’ve put together a list of dog holidays and observances for 2023. Whereas some are literally just an excuse to spoil your dog (e.g. Spoil your Dog Day), others are to help keep your dog safe and healthy, or raise awareness for dogs less fortunate than yours.
Don’t forget to pin this post or add the dates to your calendar so you don’t miss any!
January
Jan 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
Jan 14: National Dress Up your Pet Day
Jan 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day
Month long observances
National Train your Dog Month
Walk your Dog Month
February
Feb 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day
Feb 20: Love your Pet Day
Feb 22: National Walk your Dog Day
Feb 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
Feb 28: World Spay Day
Month long observances
Pet Dental Health Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
March
Mar 23: National Puppy Day
Mar 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day
Week long observances
Mar 19-25: National Poison Prevention Week
Month long observances
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
April
Apr 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
Apr 10: National Hug your Dog Day
Apr 11: National Pet Day & Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
Apr 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
Apr 25: ANZAC Day (celebrating dogs of war)
Apr 26: International Guide Dog Day
Week long observances
Apr 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week
Apr 17-23: Pet ID Week
Month long observances
Heartworm Awareness Month
Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Canine Fitness Month
May
May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
May 7: Mayday for Mutts
May 13: Dog Mums Day
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
Week long observances
May 1-7: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week
Month long observances
Chip your Pet Month
June
Jun 21: National Dog Party Day
Jun 23: Take your Dog to Work Day
Month long observances
Foster a Pet Month
Pet Preparedness Month
July
Jul 1: ID your Pet Day
Jul 26: National Dog Photography Day
Month long observances
National Lost Pet Prevention Month
Pet Hydration Awareness Month
August
Aug 1: DOGust – Universal birthday for shelter dogs
Aug 10: Spoil your Dog Day
Aug 15: Check the Chip Day
Aug 23: International Blind Dog Day
Aug 26: International Dog Day
Month long observances
Rawgust - raw feeding month
September
Sep 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
Sep 10: National Hug your Hound Day
Sep 16: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Sep 23: Dogs in Politics Day
Week long observances
Sep 18-24: Adopt a Less-adoptable Pet Week
Sep 24-30: Deaf Pet Awareness Week
Month long observances
Animal Pain Awareness Month
National Service Dog Month
October
Oct 1: National Black Dog Day
Oct 11: Pet Obesity Awareness Day
Oct 28: Pit Bull Awareness Day
Week long observances
Oct 1-7: Walk your Dog Week
Month long observances
National Pet Wellness Month
Pit Bull Awareness Month
November
Nov 1: National Cook for your Pets Day
Week long observances
Nov 5-11: Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
Month long observances
Adopt a Senior Pet Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
December
Dec 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
Dec 10: International Animal Rights Day
Which holidays will you be celebrating this year? Let me know if I’ve missed any in the comments.
