Monthly 2026 Pet Holidays You Can Celebrate With Your Dog

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Looking for excuses to spoil your dog? This year’s list focuses on dog holidays and fun national days dedicated to our four-legged best friends. We’ve kept it concise too, featuring only the most important and popular days that dog owners actually celebrate. Because let’s be honest—every day with our dogs is worth celebrating, but sometimes it’s nice to have an official excuse to go the extra mile with extra treats, a new toy, or a fun adventure.

Monthly 2026 Pet Holidays for Dog Owners

2026 Pet Holidays Calendar

Why the 14th Matters: Monthly Check Your Dog Day

On the 14th of every month, set aside some quality time for Check Your Dog Day. Give your pup a thorough nose-to-tail inspection, checking for any unusual lumps, bumps, or changes in their appearance. It’s a simple monthly routine that could make all the difference in catching potential health issues early.

National Play Outside Day

Why Do Dogs Love To Play Fetch
Celebrate National Play Outside Day on the first Saturday of each month. Sure, any day is perfect for outdoor fun with your pup, but use this special day as your excuse to go all out—try that new hiking trail, have an extra-long fetch session, or just soak up the sunshine together.

January 2026 Pet Holidays

January Month‑Long Pet Holidays

Walk Your Dog Month – Benefits of Walking Your Dog
National Train Your Dog Month

January Monthly Pet Holidays

Jan 2 – National Pet Travel Safety Day
Jan 14 – National Dress Up Your Pet Day
Jan 24 – Change A Pet’s Life Day (rescue / adoption focus)
Jan 29 – Seeing Eye Guide Dog Day

January FUN Pet Holidays

Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
Jan 8 – Bubble Bath Day – great for “spa day” dog content (before/after bath photos, grooming tips, favorite shampoos).
Jan 21 – National Hugging Day
Jan 24 – National Peanut Butter Day
Jan 31 – National FUN at Work Day

February 2026 Pet Holidays

February Month‑long Pet Holidays

Pet Dental Health Month
Dog Training Education Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month

February Monthly Pet Holidays

Feb 3 – National Golden Retriever Day

Feb 3 – Annual Doggie Date Night
Feb 14 – National Pet Theft Awareness Day
Feb 20 – Love Your Pet Day.
Feb 22 – Walking The Dog Day
Feb 23 – National Dog Biscuit Day
Feb 25 – World Spay Day

February FUN Pet Holidays

Feb 8 – Super Bowl Sunday
Feb 9 – National Pizza Day
Feb 13 – Kiss Day
Feb 14 – Valentine’s Day
Feb 17 – Chinese New Year
Feb 17 – Pancake Day
Feb 27 – National Strawberry Day

March 2026 Pet Holidays

March Month‑long Pet Holidays

Mar 2–8 – Professional Pet Sitters Week
Mar 16–22 – National Animal Poison Prevention Week

March Monthly Pet Holidays

Mar 13 – K9 Veterans Day
Mar 23 – National Puppy Day

March FUN Pet Holidays

March 9 – National Meatball Day
Feature a dog-friendly meatball recipe.
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 30 – Take a Walk in the Park Day
Ideal for walking‑the‑dog photos, leash‑training tips, and favorite dog‑friendly parks. Pairs well with recall training, enrichment walks, and safety reminders.

April 2026 Pet Holidays

April Month‑long Pet Holidays

Heartworm Awareness Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Canine Fitness Month / Active Dog Month

April Monthly Pet Holidays

Apr 11 – National Pet Day
Apr 11 – Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
Apr 18 – Pet Owners Day
Apr 23 – National Lost Dog Awareness Day
Apr 26 – National Kids and Pets Day
Apr 27 – National Pet Parents Day
Apr 30 – International Guide Dog Day
Apr 30 – Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
Apr 30 – National Therapy Animal Day

April FUN Pet Holidays

April 1 – April Fool’s Day
April 5 – Easter
April 10 – National Hug Your Dog Day
April 22 – Earth Day

May 2026 Pet Holidays

May Month‑long Pet Holidays

National Pet Month
National Foster Care Month
Chip Your Pet Month.

May Monthly Pet Holidays

May 1 – National Purebred Dog Day
May 3 – National Specially‑Abled Pets Day
May 8 – National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 10: National Dog Mom Day
May 20 – National Rescue Dog Day

May FUN Pet Holidays

1st Sunday in May – Mayday for Mutts
Great for celebrating mixed‑breed dogs, rescue mutts, and shelter spotlights. You can do “before & after” rescue stories or “why mutts are awesome” graphics.

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
May 10 – National Dog Mom Day (Saturday before Mother’s Day).
May 25 – Memorial Day

June 2026 Pet Holidays

June Month‑long Pet Holidays

National Pet Preparedness Month
National Microchipping Month
National Foster a Pet Month

June Monthly Pet Holidays

June 10 – World Pet Memorial Day.
June 20 – Take Your Dog To Work Day

June FUN Pet Holidays

June 4 – National Cheese Day
June 21 – Father’s Day | Dad’s Day
June 21 – Dog Party Day
Perfect FUN focus for summer: backyard dog‑party ideas, pup‑approved snacks, splash‑pad photos.
June 21 – Summer Solstice

July 2026 Pet Holidays

July Month‑long Pet Holidays

National Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month

July Monthly Pet Holidays

July 1 – National ID Your Pet Day
July 15 – National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 26 – National Dog Photography Day
July 31 – National Mutt Day

July FUN Pet Holidays

July 4 – Independence Day – Patriotic Dog Captions
July 11 – All‑American Pet Photo Day
Share patriotic or summer‑themed dog photos and offer simple at‑home photo tips for capturing dogs in action.
July 19 – National Ice Cream Day

August 2026 Pet Holidays

August Month‑long Pet Holidays

National Immunization Awareness Month

August Monthly Pet Holidays

Aug 1 – DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
Aug 4 – Assistance Dog Day
Aug 5 – Work Like a Dog Day
Aug 10 – Spoil Your Dog Day
Aug 15 – National Check the Chip Day
Aug 26 – National Dog Day & World Dog Day
Aug 28 – Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Aug 30 – National Holistic Pet Day

August FUN Pet Holidays

National Back-To School Month
Aug 3 – National Watermelon Day
Aug 6 – Fresh Breath Day
Aug 17 – Cupcake Day

September 2026 Pet Holidays

September Month‑long Pet Holidays

National Pet Insurance Month
National Service Dog Month
National Pet Memorial Month
Sept 21 – 27 – National Dog Week

September Monthly Pet Holidays

Sept 8 – National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
Sept 14 – National Pet Memorial Day
Sept 14 – National Hug Your Hound Day
Sept 20 – AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day
Sept 20 – Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Sept 23 – Dogs in Politics Day
Sept 25 – Remember Me Thursday

September FUN Pet Holidays

Sept 7 – Labor Day
Sept 13 – National Peanut Day

October 2026 Pet Holidays

October Month‑long Pet Holidays

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
National Pet Wellness Month

October Monthly Pet Holidays

Oct 1 – National Fire Pup Day
Oct 1 – National Black Dog Day
Oct 4 – World Animal Day
Oct 8 – Pet Obesity Awareness Day

October FUN Pet Holidays

Oct 18 – National Fetch Day
Fun, high‑energy day for play‑focused content: fetch games, safe toys, indoor fetch ideas.
Oct 26 – National Pumpkin Day
Highlight pure canned pumpkin as a dog-friendly ingredient and share fun pumpkin patch dog photos.
Oct 31 – Halloween

November 2026 Pet Holidays

November Month‑long Pet Holidays

Pet Cancer Awareness Month
National Senior Pet Month
Adopt a Senior Pet Month

November Monthly Pet Holidays

Nov 1 – National Cook for Your Pets Day
Nov 7 – National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day

November FUN Pet Holidays

Nov 1 – Daylight Saving Time Ends
Nov 11 – Veterans‑and‑Dogs content
While not a dog‑only holiday, you can focus on military working dogs and service dogs for veterans. Share gratitude posts, hero‑dog stories, and donation ideas for K9/veteran groups.
Nov 16 – National Fast Food Day
Share “why fast food is a no for dogs” and share simple, quick homemade dog treat ideas.
Nov 26 – Thanksgiving
Nov 27 – Black Friday – Share shopping deals for dog parents