October 2026 Pet Holidays

Pit bulls fetch the spotlight with several October dog holidays with National Pit Bull Awareness Month and National Pit Bull Awareness Day. Adopt a Dog and Adopt a Shelter Dog Month help bring attention to the millions of adoptable dogs waiting in shelters.

October pet holidays

Month-Long Observances

  • Adopt A Dog Month® (American Humane Association) and Adopt a Shelter Dog Month (ASPCA).
  • Black Cat Awareness Month.
  • National Animal Safety and Protection Month.
  • National Pet CBD Month.
  • National Pet Obesity Awareness Month.
  • National Pet Wellness Month.
  • National Pit Bull Awareness Month.
  • Small Dog Awareness Month.
  • World Animal Month.

Week-Long Observances

  • Oct. 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week.
  • Oct. 4-10: Animal Welfare Week. (AVMA). First full week of October.
  • Oct. 18-24: National Veterinary Technician Week. Sponsored by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America.
  • Third week of October: National Wolf Awareness Week. This awareness week is hosted by the Timber Wolf Alliance.

One-Day Pet Holidays

  • Oct. 1: National Fire Pup Day.
  • Oct. 1: National Black Dog Day. Helping to shine a light on Black Dog Syndrome in shelters, this day celebrates the often-overlooked black dogs looking for a forever home.
  • Oct. 2: Canine Companion Day.
  • Oct. 4: World Animal Day.
  • Oct. 4: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
  • Oct. 4: Kindness to Animals Day.
  • Oct. 9: CATober 9th®. The date declared by North Shore Animal League as the universal birthday of shelter cats whose birthdays remain a mystery.
  • Oct. 9: Vet Nurse Day. Also known as Veterinary Nurse Day, this annual event is always scheduled for the second Friday in October.
  • Oct. 10: World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day. This day is designed to make drivers think what would they do if they hit a dog or other animal on the road.
  • Oct. 11: National Spoodle Day.
  • Oct. 14: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day.
  • Oct. 15: National Pug Day. Since 2012, this annual event has celebrated one of the world’s oldest dog breeds.
  • Oct. 16: Global Cat Day. What began as National Feral Cat Day became Global Cat Day in 2018, an effort by Alley Cat Allies to shine the spotlight on all cats who may not have a home of their own.
  • Oct. 17: National Fetch Day.
  • Oct. 21: National Pets for Veterans Day.
  • Oct. 22: National Make a Dog’s Day.
  • Oct. 26: National Livestock Guardian Dog Appreciation and Awareness Day.
  • Oct. 27: National Black Cat Day in the UK.
  • Oct. 28: Plush Animal Lovers Day. A day that most dogs will be happy to celebrate…as they unstuff those plush toys…
  • Oct. 29: National Cat Day.
  • Oct. 30: National Treat Your Pet Day. Launched in 2021 by Dr. Marty Pets, National Treat Your Pet Day encourages pet parents to treat their four-legged companions with snacks, extra love and attention.
  • TBD: National Pit Bull Awareness Day. Last Saturday in Oct. (unless Halloween falls on the last Saturday, then another date is chosen).
  • Oct. 31: Muddy Dog Day. (UK) Last Saturday in October.

More Pet Holidays

We’ve got hundreds of pet holidays throughout the year!