Your Guide to National Dog Holidays (By Month!) + Free Printable!
From treat-worthy Tuesdays to holidays that deserve streamers, here is the ultimate dog holidays by month guide to help you celebrate your pup like the royalty they are. You don’t need an excuse to spoil your dog, but let’s be real—some days just beg for celebration. Whether it’s National Dog Day, Dog Mom’s Day, or even Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day (yes, that’s a real thing – February 23), there’s a tail-wagging reason to celebrate nearly every month.
Don’t forget to download your freebie at the end of this post!
To make life easier (and way more fun), we created this all-in-one guide to every major dog-themed holiday of the year—plus creative ways to make each one feel special for you and your pup.
From Snuggles to Sunshine: Dog Holidays by Season
No matter the season, there’s always a tail-wagging excuse to celebrate your pup. From cozy winter snuggles to sunny summer adventures, these dog-themed holidays offer year-round ways to bond, play, and spoil your four-legged best friend. Click below to jump to your favorite season—or scroll through and mark every date in your dog mom planner.
🌸 Spring Dog Holidays (March – May)
Spring has sprung, and so has your dog’s zoomie energy. As the days get longer and flowers bloom, it’s the perfect season to stretch your legs (and theirs) with outdoor adventures and fresh starts. From celebrating new life on Puppy Day to honoring our loyal K9 heroes, spring reminds us to step outside and make memories—one tail wag at a time.
March
- Mar 13: K9 Veterans Day
- Mar 23: National Puppy Day
April
- Apr 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
- Apr 10: Hug Your Dog Day
- Apr 11: National Pet Day
- Apr 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day – Great tie-in for ID tags, GPS collars, or local shelters.
- Apr 30: National Therapy Animal Day – Celebrate pups who comfort, heal, and calm.
- Last Saturday: World Veterinary Day
May
- First Sunday: National Specially-Abled Pets Day
- May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
- May 14: National Dog Mom’s Day
- May 17: World Dog Day – A full-on excuse to celebrate all things dog, worldwide!
- May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
If it’s on the calendar, it counts as a holiday. Especially if it involves belly rubs.
☀️ Summer Dog Holidays (June – August)
Suns out, tongues out—summer is basically a three-month excuse to spoil your pup with frozen treats, splashy lake days, and shady afternoon naps. Whether you’re hosting a backyard pup party or celebrating DOGust with a barkday cake, the dog days of summer were made for memory-making. With so many tail-wagging moments to look forward to, now’s the perfect time to plan your dog holidays by month and soak up every sunny celebration.
June
- June 8: Best Friends Day
- June 21: National Dog Party Day
- June 24: Take Your Dog to Work Day
July
- July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
- July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
- July 21: National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day
- July 31: National Mutt Day
August
- Aug 1: DOGust – Shelter Dog Birthday
- Aug 5: Work Like a Dog Day – A nod to hardworking pups and people.
- Aug 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
- Aug 15: Check the Chip Day
- Aug 16: Saint Roch’s Day – Celebrate the patron saint of dogs.
- Aug 23: International Blind Dog Day – Shine a light on your blind pup’s superpowers.
- Aug 26: National Dog Day
Life’s too short to skip the dog holidays. Celebrate like every day is treat day.
🍂 Fall Dog Holidays (September – November)
Crunchy leaves, crisp air, and a calendar full of cozy. Fall is the season of gratitude, sweater weather, and long walks through the prettiest trails. It’s also packed with purpose—from raising awareness about rescue pups and rabies to honoring working dogs and shelters. Light a candle, grab a blanket, and plan some meaningful moments.
September
- Sept 8: Dog Walker Appreciation Day
- Sept 22: National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day – Uplift dogs in wheelchairs and their resilience.
- Sept 23: Dogs in Politics Day (Checkers Day)
- Sept 25: National Schnauzer Day – Tag your favorite beardy boy.
- Third Saturday: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
- Last Sunday: World Rabies Day
October
- Oct 1: National Black Dog Day
- Oct 1: National Fire Pup Day – Time to honor heroic Dalmatians and other firefighting canines.
- Oct 4: World Animal Day
- Oct 14: Pet Obesity Awareness Day
- Oct 18: National Fetch Day – The only cardio we fully support.
- Oct 21: Pets for Veterans Day
- Oct 22: Make a Dog’s Day
- Oct 29: National Pit Bull Awareness Day
- Oct 31: Howl-o-ween
November
- Nov 1: Cook for Your Pets Day
- Nov 7: Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
- Nov 17: Take a Hike Day
- First full week of Nov: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
Some dogs chase squirrels. We chase themed holidays with matching bandanas.
❄️ Winter Dog Holidays (December – February)
Winter calls for extra cuddles, warm treats, and matching jammies. But beyond the festive fun, this season’s dog holidays are all about care—staying safe in the cold, honoring the overlooked, and loving our pups through every frosty walk. Whether you’re dressing up your dog in January or walking for awareness in February, there’s no better way to wrap up the year and start a new one than by planning your dog holidays by month—from December snuggles to March Puppy Day magic. Because let’s be honest: puppy love keeps us warm all season long.
December
- Dec 2: National Mutt Day
- Dec 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
January
- Jan 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
- Jan 2: Sled Dog Day – Celebrate the incredible endurance and history of sled dogs.
- Jan 2: National Brown Dog Day – Give your brown pup extra love today!
- Jan 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
February
- Feb 3: Doggie Date Night
- Feb 3: National Golden Retriever Day – Time to spotlight those golden goofballs.
- Feb 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day – Verify and update microchip safety and ID tag options.
- Feb 20: Love Your Pet Day
- Feb 22:Walking the Dog Day – A perfect excuse to explore a new trail together!
- Feb 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
- Last Tuesday: World Spay Day
Confetti is optional. Treats and tail wags are not.
Why This Dog Holidays By Month Guide Matters
These dog holidays aren’t just for cute photos (though, let’s be honest, we love those too). They’re a chance to bond with your pup, raise awareness for good causes, and bring a little joy into your routine.
So go ahead—mark your calendar, grab your printable, and let’s make every month a celebration of what it means to live your best Dog Mom Life.
Want to keep track of all the dates?
Grab your free printable: Dog Mom Holiday Calendar
How Do You Celebrate with Your Pup?
Every dog mom has their own special way of making memories—whether it’s baking homemade treats, dressing up for Howl-o-ween, or throwing a backyard barkday bash. I’d love to hear how you celebrate your pup throughout the year!
Drop me a comment below, shoot me a message on Facebook, or send an email. Bonus points if you include a cute photo—I never say no to puppy pics!
