When you’re creating your marketing plan in the pet industry, pet-related holidays and social awareness days can be a great source for content ideas. Whether you’re planning your blogs or social media posts, pet holidays can be a great tie-in for content that’s relevant and interesting to your audience.
What are all the pet holidays in 2022?
This guide is an expansive list of dog, cat, and animal-related holidays, and I’ve done my best to make it the most comprehensive list of this kind currently available.
It includes everything from cute holidays like Cat World Domination Day to serious social awareness events like Unchain a Dog Month. I’ve also included more general holidays that are not pet-specific but could still be relevant to your audience.
Want to know about a specific holiday? Whenever possible, I have included a link that leads to more information.
How many pet holidays are there?
It’s incredible how many holidays and social awareness days have been created specifically to celebrate and support pets. It seems like there are a few new ones every year!
This list has 285 different holidays that are pet-specific, as well as 224 more general holidays that may be relevant to your audience and could be incorporated into your marketing plan.
2022 Pet Holidays
January
Monthly Pet Observances
- National Train Your Dog Month
- Walk Your Dog Month (also known as Walk Your Pet Month)
- Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
- Unchain a Dog Month
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- January 22–26: Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show
Weekly General Observances
- January 1–7: Celebration of Life Week
- January 16–22: Hunt for Happiness Week
Pet Holidays
- January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day
- January 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
- January 5: National Bird Day
- January 7: National Alaskan Malamute Day
- January 8: National Labrador Retriever Day
- January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
- January 20: Penguin Awareness Day
- January 21: Squirrel Appreciation Day
- January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day
- January 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day
- January 29: Seeing Eye Guide Dog Anniversary
General Holidays
- January 1: New Year’s Day
- January 3: International Mind-Body Wellness Day
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- January 20: Inauguration Day
- January 20: Get to Know Your Customers Day
- January 21: National Hugging Day
- January 24: Peanut Butter Day
- January 25: National Plan for Vacation Day (last Tuesday in January)
- January 26: National Spouses Day
- January 28: National Fun at Work Day
February
Monthly Pet Observances
- Dog Training Education Month
- National Cat Health Month
- Spay/Neuter Awareness Month (also known as Beat the Heat Month)
- Pet Dental Health Month
- Responsible Pet Owners Month
- National Prevent a Litter Month
- Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
- International Hoof-Care Month
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- February 7–14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
- February 20–26: National Justice for Animals Week
Weekly General Observances
- February 6–12: International Networking Week
- February 7–14: National Marriage Week
- February 12–19: National Entrepreneurship Week
- February 13–19: Random Acts of Kindness Week
- February 20–26: Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week
Pet Holidays
- February 2: Sled Dog Day
- February 2: National Hedgehog Day
- February 3: Doggy Date Night
- February 3: National Golden Retriever Day
- February 13: Puppy Bowl XVII 2022
- February 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day
- February 17: Cat Day (Dzień kota) in Poland
- February 17: Cat Day in Italy
- February 19: National Boston Terrier Day
- February 20: Love Your Pet Day
- February 22: Cat Day in Japan
- February 22: Marie Day. Created by Walt Disney World in Japan, this day celebrates Marie of The Aristocats!
- February 22: Walking the Dog Day
- February 22: World Spay Day
- February 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
- February 23: National Dog Biscuit Day
- February 27: Polar Bear Day
General Holidays
- February 1: Chinese New Year
- February 2: Groundhog Day
- February 4: World Cancer Day
- February 4: National Wear Red Day
- February 4: Thank a Mail Carrier Day
- February 9: National Pizza Day
- February 13: Super Bowl Sunday
- February 14: Valentine’s Day
- February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day
- February 21: Family Day (CA)
- February 21: Presidents’ Day
March
Monthly Pet Observances
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- March 6–12: Professional Pet Sitters Week (first full week in March)
Weekly General Observances
- March 6–12: Girl Scout Week
- March 6–12: International Women’s Week
- March 6–12: National Procrastination Week
- March 20–26: National Poison Prevention Week
- March 21–27: National Introverts Week
Pet Holidays
- March 1: National Welsh Corgi Day
- March 1: National Pig Day
- March 1: National Horse Protection Day
- March 1: National Cat’s Day in Russia
- March 3: World Wildlife Day
- March 3: If Pets Had Thumbs Day
- March 5: Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
- March 8: International Akita Day
- March 13: K-9 Veterans Day
- March 14: National Save a Spider Day
- March 17: Saint Gertrude of Nivelles Day (patron saint of cats)
- March 17: Pet Sitters International’s 28th Birthday
- March 19: Poultry Day
- March 20: World Sparrow Day
- March 23: National Puppy Day
- March 23. Cuddly Kitten Day
- March 25: National Newfoundland Dog Day
- March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
General Holidays
- March 1: Mardi Gras
- March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
- March 8: International Women’s Day
- March 13: Daylight Savings Time Begins
- March 14: Learn About Butterflies Day
- March 14: National Napping Day
- March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
- March 20: International Day of Happiness
- March 29: National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
- March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day
- March 31: Major League Baseball Opening Day
April
Monthly Pet Observances
- Canine Fitness Month
- Active Dog 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
- National Pet Month (UK)
- National Frog Month
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- April 1–7: International Pooper Scooper Week
- April 1–7: National Raw Feeding Week
- April 10–16: Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week (second full week in April)
- April 10–16: National Dog Bite Prevention Week (second full week in April)
- April 10–16: National Wildlife Week
- April 17–23: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week (third week in April)
- April 17–23: National Pet ID Week (third week in April)
- April 24–30: National Scoop the Poop Week
Weekly General Observances
- April 3–9: National Library Week
- April 15–23: National Park Week
- April 15–24: National Dance Week
- April 24–30 National Princess Week
Pet Holidays
- April 2: Every Day is Tag Day (first Saturday in April)
- April 2: National Ferret Day
- April 4: World Rat Day
- April 4: World Stray Animals Day
- April 6: National Siamese Cat Day
- April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
- April 8: National Catahoula Day
- April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
- April 11: National Pet Day
- April 11: Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
- April 12: World Hamster Day
- April 18: Pet Owner’s Independence Day
- April 19: Dog Parent Appreciation Day
- April 19: National Cat Lady Day
- April 21: Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
- April 22: National Beagle Day
- April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
- April 24: National Pet Parents Day (last Sunday in April)
- April 24: International Search and Rescue Dog Day (last Sunday in April)
- April 25: World Penguin Day
- April 27: National Little Pampered Dog Day
- April 27: International Guide Dog Day (last Wednesday in April)
- April 28: National Kids and Pets Day
- April 29: Hairball Awareness Day (last Friday in April)
- April 30: Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
- April 30: National Therapy Animal Day
- April 30: World Veterinary Day (last Saturday in April)
- April 30: National Tabby Day
General Holidays
- April 1: April Fool’s Day
- April 2: International Children’s Book Day
- April 6: National Walking Day
- April 7: World Health Day
- April 10: National Siblings Day
- April 14: National Gardening Day
- April 15: Passover Begins
- April 15: Good Friday
- April 16: Husband Appreciation Day
- April 17: Easter
- April 18: Tax Day
- April 20: Administrative Professionals Day
- April 21: Get to Know Your Customers Day
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 28: Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
May
Monthly Pet Observances
- National Pet Month (US)
- Responsible Animal Guardian Month
- Lyme Disease Awareness Month
- Pet Sitters International’s Pet Sitter Safety Month™
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month (also see November)
- Chip Your Pet Month
- National Service Animal Eye Exam Month
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- May 1–7: American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals Week (first full week of May)
- May 1–7: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week
- May 1–7: National Pet Week (first full week of May)
- May 2–7: Puppy Mill Action Week (starts the Monday before Mother’s Day)
Weekly General Observances
- May 1–7: National Small Business Week
- May 1–7: Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week
- May 1–7: National Travel and Tourism Week
- May 8–14: National Women’s Health Week
- May 9–15: American Craft Beer Week
Pet Holidays
- May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
- May 1: International Samoyed Day
- May 1: Save the Rhino Day
- May 1: Mayday for Mutts (first Sunday in May)
- May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day
- May 5: Cinco de Meow
- May 10: German Shepherd Day
- May 14: National Dog Mom’s Day (second Saturday in May)
- May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
- May 14: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (second Saturday in May)
- May 16: National Sea Monkey Day
- May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
- May 20: National Endangered Species Day
- May 23: World Turtle Day
- May 24: National Escargot Day
- May 28: Feast Day of St. Bernard of Montjoux
- May 28: International Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Day
General Holidays
- May 1: May Day
- May 1: World Laughter Day
- May 2: International Harry Potter Day
- May 3: National Teacher Day
- May 4: Star Wars Day
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo
- May 6: No Pants Day
- May 7: Kentucky Derby
- May 8: Mother’s Day
- May 8: National Have a Coke Day
- May 11: National Receptionists Day
- May 12: International Nurses Day
- May 20: National Bike to Work Day
- May 20: National Pizza Party Day
- May 23: Victoria Day (CA)
- May 28: National Hamburger Day
- May 30: Memorial Day
June
Monthly Pet Observances
- Adopt-a-Cat Month®
- Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
- National Foster a Pet Month
- National Pet Preparedness Month
- National Microchipping Month
- Social PETworking Month
- National Zoo and Aquarium Month
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- June 5–11: Pet Appreciation Week (first week in June)
- June 12–18: Animal Rights Awareness Week
- June 20–24: Take Your Pet to Work Week®
Weekly General Observances
- June 4–14: National Fishing and Boating Week
- June 13–19: Men’s Health Week
- June 19–24: Lightning Safety Awareness Week
Pet Holidays
- June 1: International Sheltie Day
- June 4: Hug Your Cat Day
- June 4: International Corgi Day
- June 11: Just One Day
- June 12: Peruvian Hairless Dog Day
- June 14: World Pet Memorial Day (second Tuesday in June)
- June 15: National Lobster Day
- June 18: Veterinary Appreciation Day™
- June 19: National Garfield the Cat Day
- June 20: Ugliest Dog Day
- June 20: Take Your Cat to Work Day®
- June 21: National Dog Party Day
- June 21: National Dachshund Day (held on the summer solstice)
- June 24: Cat World Domination Day
- June 24: Take Your Dog to Work Day®
General Holidays
- June 1: Global Running Day
- June 3: National Donut Day
- June 5: National Cancer Survivors Day
- June 8: Best Friends Day
- June 12: Jerky Day
- June 19: Juneteenth
- June 19: Father’s Day
- June 21: Summer Solstice
- June 21: International Yoga Day
- June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day (CA)
July
Monthly Pet Observances
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- July 18–24: National Zookeeper Week
- July 25–31: National Feed a Rescue Pet Week
Weekly General Observances
- July 1–7: Clean Beaches Week
- July 17–23: Everybody Deserves a Massage Week
Pet Holidays
- July 1: ID Your Pet Day
- July 4: International Whippet Day
- July 9: Coon Dog Day
- July 10: National Kitten Day
- July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
- July 12: Cow Appreciation Day
- July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
- July 15: I Love Horses Day
- July 16: Feline Leukemia Day
- July 16: World Snake Day
- TBA: World Collie Day
- July 21: National Craft for your Local Shelters Day
- July 21: No Pet Store Puppies Day
- July 22: AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day or AAHA Day
- July 26: National Dog Photography Day (UK)
- July 31: National Mutt Day (also see December 2)
General Holidays
- July 1: National Postal Worker Day
- July 1: Canada Day
- July 4: Independence Day
- July 7: World Chocolate Day
- July 17: National Ice Cream Day
- July 21: Get to Know Your Customers Day
- July 24: National Parents Day
- July 30: International Friendship Day
August
Monthly Pet Observances
Monthly General Observances
- National Back-To-School Month
- Romance Awareness Month
- Family Fun Month
- Black Business Month
- National Immunization Awareness Month
Weekly Pet Observances
- August 7–13: International Assistance Dog Week
- August 21–28: Give a Dog a Bone Week
Weekly General Observances
- August 7–13: National Farmers Market Week
- August 29-September 2: World Water Week
Pet Holidays
- August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
- August 1: National Yorkie Day
- August 4: Assistance Dog Day
- August 5: Work Like a Dog Day
- August 8: International Cat Day (also National Cat Day in CA)
- August 10: Snoopy’s Birthday
- August 10: National Spoil Your Dog Day
- August 14: World Lizard Day
- August 15: National Check the Chip Day
- August 16: Saint Roch’s Day (patron saint of dogs)
- August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
- August 20: Saint Bernard Day
- August 20: International Homeless Animals’ Day (third Saturday in August)
- August 20: Clear the Shelters Day
- August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
- August 23: International Blind Dog Day
- August 26: National Dog Day
- August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
- August 30: National Holistic Pet Day
General Holidays
- August 6: Fresh Breath Day
- August 8: National CBD Day
- August 10: National Lazy Day
- August 15: National Relaxation Day
- August 17: National Non-Profit Day
September
Monthly Pet Observances
- Happy Cat Month
- National Service Dog Month
- National Pet Insurance Month
- Responsible Dog Ownership Month
- Pet Sitter Education Month
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
Monthly General Observances
- National Disaster Preparedness Month
- Baby Safety Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)
- International Update Your Resume Month
Weekly Pet Observances
- September 18–24: Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week (third week in September)
- September 18–24: National Deaf Dog Awareness Week (last full week in September)
- September 18–24: National Dog Week (last full week in September)
Weekly General Observances
- September 4–10: National Waffle Week
- September 16–25: National Ballroom Dance Week
- September 19–25: Pollution Prevention Week
- September 18–24: National Singles Week
Pet Holidays
- September 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
- September 1: Boykin Spaniel Day
- September 4: National Wildlife Day
- September 8: National Iguana Awareness Day
- September 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
- September 11: National Pet Memorial Day (second Sunday in September)
- September 11: National Hug Your Hound Day (second Sunday in September)
- September 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
- September 13: Scooby-Doo Day
- September 17: Puppy Mill Awareness Day (third Saturday in September)
- September 17: Responsible Dog Ownership Day (third Saturday in September)
- September 17: National Pet Bird Day
- September 19: National Meow Like a Pirate Day
- September 22: National Walk ’n’ Roll Dog Day
- September 22: Elephant Appreciation Day
- September 23: Remember Me Thursday®
- September 23: Dogs in Politics Day (also known as Checkers Day)
- September 24: World’s Largest Pet Walk
- September 24: Old Yeller Day
- September 24: International Rabbit Day
- September 25: National Schnauzer Day
- September 28: World Rabies Day
General Holidays
- September 1: American Chess Day
- September 2: National Lazy Mom’s Day
- September 3: International Bacon Day
- September 5: Labor Day
- September 6: Read a Book Day
- September 11: Grandparents Day
- September 11: Patriot Day (Anniversary of September 11)
- September 18: Wife Appreciation Day
- September 25: Rosh Hashanah Begins
- September 25: National Daughters Day
- September 27: Rosh Hashanah Ends
- September 28: National Sons Day
- September 29: National Coffee Day
October
Monthly Pet Observances
- Adopt-A-Dog Month®
- Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month
- National Animal Safety and Protection Month
- National Pet Wellness Month
- National Pit Bull Awareness Month
- Wishbones for Pets Month (October 15-November 30)
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- October 2–8: National Walk Your Dog Week (first full week of October)
- October 2–8: Animal Welfare Week (first full week of October)
- October 16–22: National Veterinary Technician Week (third week in October)
Weekly General Observances
- October 2–8: Mental Illness Awareness Week
- October 3–7: Customer Service Week
- October 9–15: National Fire Prevention Week
- October 25–31: International Magic Week
Pet Holidays
- October 1: National Fire Pup Day
- October 1: National Black Dog Day
- October 2: Poodle Day
- October 4: World Animal Day
- October 12: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
- October 14: Vet Nurse Day (second Friday in October)
- October 15: National Pug Day
- October 15: National Fetch Day
- October 16: Global Cat Day (also known as National Feral Cat Day)
- October 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
- October 22: National Make a Dog’s Day
- October 27: National Black Cat Day (UK)
- October 29: National Cat Day
- October 29: National Pit Bull Awareness Day (last Saturday in October, unless that day is Halloween)
- October 30: National Treat Your Pet Day
General Holidays
- October 1: World Vegetarian Day
- October 1: International Coffee Day
- October 10: Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day
- October 10: Thanksgiving (Canada)
- October 20: Get to Know Your Customers Day
- October 26: National Pumpkin Day
- October 28: National Chocolate Day
- October 28: Plush Animal Lovers Day
- October 31: Halloween
November
Monthly Pet Observances
- Adopt a Senior Pet Month
- National Senior Pet Month
- National Pet Cancer Awareness Month (also see May)
- Pet Diabetes Month
Monthly General Observances
- Family Stories Month
- Movember
- National Adoption Month
- Military Family Month
- National Gratitude Month
- National Native American Heritage Month
- National Family Literacy Month
- National Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Weekly Pet Observances
- November 6–12: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (first full week of November)
- November 13–19: Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week (second week in November, also known as HARA Week)
Weekly General Observances
- November 1–7: World Communication Week
- November 7–13: World Kindness Week
- November 20–26: National Bible Week
Pet Holidays
- November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
- November 1: International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day
- November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
- November 12: Fancy Rat and Mouse Day
- November 16: National Slobber Appreciation Day
- November 17: National Black Cat Day (celebrated on October 27 in the UK)
- November 18: National Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Awareness, Research and Education Day
- November 19–20: National Dog Show
- November 23: Wolfenoot (my personal favorite)
General Holidays
- November 1–2: Day of the Dead
- November 2: All Soul’s Day
- November 3: National Sandwich Day
- November 4: Chicken Lady Day
- November 6: Daylight Saving Time Ends
- November 11: Veterans Day
- November 13: World Kindness Day
- November 14: World Diabetes Day
- November 15: National Entrepreneurs Day
- November 15: National Philanthropy Day
- November 17: National Take a Hike Day
- November 19: National Adoption Day
- November 24: Thanksgiving
- November 25: Black Friday
- November 26: Small Business Saturday
- November 28: Cyber Monday
December
Monthly Pet Observances
- National Cat Lover’s Month
- Operation Santa Paws (December 1–24)
Monthly General Observances
Weekly Pet Observances
- None
Weekly General Observances
- December 5–11: Human Rights Week
- December 5–11: National Cookie Cutter Week
- December 18–26: Hanukkah
- December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa
Pet Holidays
- December 2: National Mutt Day (also see July 31)
- December 4: Wildlife Conservation Day
- December 5: Celebrate Shelter Pets Day
- December 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- December 10: International Animal Rights Day
- December 13: National Horse Day
- December 14: Monkey Day
- December 15: National Cat Herders Day
General Holidays
- December 3: National Roof Over Your Head Day
- December 4: National Cookie Day
- December 5: International Volunteer Day
- December 12: Gingerbread House Day
- December 13: National Free Shipping Day
- December 13: National Cocoa Day
- December 16: Underdog Day
- December 15: National Ugly Sweater Day
- December 21: Winter Solstice
- December 24: Christmas Eve
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: Boxing Day
- December 28: National Call a Friend Day
- December 29: Still Need to Do Day
- December 31: New Year’s Eve
That’s my comprehensive list of pet-related (or potentially adjacent) holidays in 2022. Take some time to think about each one when you are creating your content plan for the month, and identify whether it meets these 3 requirements:
- Is it relevant to my brand?
- Is it relevant to my audience?
- Can I make it interesting? Can I go deeper than a simple “Today is National Cookie Day!” type of post?
If your holiday content ideas can meet all 3 requirements, it’s probably a good choice to add them to your marketing plan.
If you’d like some help with that, join the FUR Social Content Club! You’ll get daily content ideas that are specific to the pet industry, complete with Canva templates and caption prompts. If you want a huge head start on your social media content delivered to your inbox every month, it’s time to join the club!
