- Categories:
- Animal
- Tags:
- CatDogPet
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every April 11
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐾
National Pet Day, observed every April 11, is a special occasion to honor the beloved animals who enrich our lives. From playful pups to purring cats and exotic companions, our pets offer comfort, joy, and even health benefits. Show your appreciation today by spoiling your furry friend, volunteering at a local shelter, or adopting a pet in need.
Want to sponsor National Pet Day? Learn how
Expected National Pet Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Pet Day brings a flurry of deals from major retailers and specialty stores. Expect discounts on pet food, toys, and accessories from brands like PetSmart and Petco, often including buy-one-get-one offers or percentage-off coupons. Online retailers such as Chewy and Amazon typically feature flash sales on popular pet products and subscription boxes. Grooming services like Pet Supplies Plus may offer discounted baths or nail trims, while smaller, independent pet boutiques often run unique promotions on artisanal treats or handmade collars. Keep an eye out for special adoption events at local shelters, sometimes sponsored by brands like Purina or Blue Buffalo, offering reduced fees or starter kits for new pet parents. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 11 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Pet Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalPetDay. Share adorable photos and videos of your pets, showcasing their unique personalities and favorite activities.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalPetDay. Film funny pet antics, heartwarming moments, or creative DIY pet treat tutorials that can go viral.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalPetDay. Create a community post asking followers to share pictures of their pets and their stories.
National Pet Day Hero
Colleen Paige
History of National Pet Day
Colleen Paige, animal welfare advocate and pet and family lifestyle expert, founded National Pet Day in 2006 to celebrate the joy pets can bring to us. But she also wanted to bring attention to the ongoing needs of many pets of all kinds waiting in shelters to be adopted. She encouraged people who want purebred dogs and cats to contact rescue organizations instead of going to a breeder. “Don’t shop! Adopt!” has become the holiday motto.
In 1973, the Humane Society of the United States estimated that 13 million cats and dogs enter shelters every year. Some were strays, some were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them, some were seized in legal actions. Today, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide. And 1.6 million cats and 1.6 million dogs find their furever homes.
Colleen’s holiday got its start in the U.S., but it soon expanded internationally. Pet lovers now mark the day in the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Guam, Scotland, and many more nations.
Celebrities have also taken up the cause. National Pet Day has been promoted by Taylor Swift, Ellen De Generes, Ricky Gervais, Cee Lo Green, Jimmy Fallon, Willy Nelson, Kevin Bacon, Seth Myers, and Carrie Underwood, among others.
And social media has helped spread the celebration and promote Colleen’s cause. When President Barack Obama was in office, he warmed political hearts on both sides of the aisle with his posted pic of Bo, one of the two Portuguese water dogs who shared the White House with him. Bo was rehomed when he couldn’t get along with an older dog owned by a family in Texas.
National Pet Day timeline
The dog collar is believed to have been invented in Mesopotamia, based on a wall painting depicting a man with a collared dog on a leash.
Phoenician traders bring the first domesticated cats to Europe.
Henry Bergh founds the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York after witnessing a carriage driver in Russia beating a fallen horse three years earlier.
Japanese feline Maru is certified as the most viewed animal on YouTube after 10 years of diving into boxes.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Pet Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Pet Day by offering pet-friendly promotions and events. Pet stores and groomers can host discounted services or special product bundles, encouraging pet parents to treat their companions. Restaurants with outdoor seating could offer ‘Paws on the Patio’ specials, welcoming well-behaved dogs with water bowls and treats. Veterinary clinics might provide free health checks or discounted vaccinations for the day. Even non-pet-related businesses can participate by setting up donation bins for local animal shelters or featuring employee pets on social media, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for animals.
National Pet Day related content
The Best Dog & Cat Cone for 2023
Getting the best dog & cat cone seems like an easy task. But not all pet cones are created equal; here are some of our top favorites.
See MoreNational Pet Day - Survey Results
Data gathered by a top Pet Marketing Agency:
Additional Findings
FULL RANKING OF THE MOST POPULAR PETS
#1: Dog (45%)
#2: Cat (30%)
#3: Fish (9%)
#4: Bird (e.g. parakeet, cockatiel, parrot, etc.) (5%)
#5: Hamster/gerbil/mouse (2%)
#6: Horse (2%)
#7: Snake (2%)
#8: Guinea pig (1%)
#9: Lizard (e.g. iguana, chameleon, gecko, etc.) (1%)
#10: Tarantula (1%)
Traditions for National Pet Day
Furry babies are spoiled to the fullest on National Pet Day. Owners go all out to lavish their pets with the adoration and care they deserve (well, more than on any other day). Taking them out for a walk or a drive, buying their favorite treats, or getting them a new toy to play with are just some of the ways that pets are spoiled just a little extra on this day.
National Pet Day is also one of the best days for kids to convince their parents to adopt a pet, so new additions to the family, with adoptions from shelters or purchased pedigrees, are common on this day. Everyone is part of the celebration, as every other post on social media features fancy portraits or cute candids of pets.
By the Numbers
36% – the percentage by which owning a dog decreases the risk of death by heart disease.
10% – the percentage of owners allergic to their pets.
57% – of American households owned at least one pet according to Pet Ownership Statistics.
5000–7000 – the number of tigers kept as pets in the U.S.
94% – the percentage of families with an autistic child who benefited from having a pet.
44% – the percentage of people who’d rather cuddle with their pet than their partner.
200 million – the number of stray dogs in the world.
2 million – the number of animals who die in shelters every year.
9% – the percentage of healthy dogs euthanized in Canadian shelters in 2017.
90% – the percentage of pets found within a day when the owner was looking for them.
29% – the percentage of people who have to part with their pets due to residential restrictions.
National Pet Day FAQs
When is National Pet Day?
In 2027, National Pet Day will be observed on Sunday, April 11. This annual observance encourages pet owners to celebrate their furry, scaled, and feathered friends, while also raising awareness for pets in need.
How many households in the U.S. own a pet?
The latest data indicates that over two-thirds of American households include at least one pet. This significant number underscores the deep bond between people and their animal companions, reflecting pets’ integral role in daily life.
How much do Americans spend on their pets annually?
Annual spending on pets in the U.S. continues to climb, with recent figures showing expenditures well over $140 billion. This financial commitment reflects the priority pet owners place on their animals’ health, comfort, and happiness.
What is the difference between a pet and a companion animal?
A ‘pet’ is a domesticated animal kept for pleasure or companionship, whereas ‘companion animal’ is a more formal term that acknowledges the animal’s contribution to human well-being. The distinction is largely semantic, but ‘companion animal’ often carries a connotation of respect and partnership.
National Pet Day Activities
Adopt a pet
And remember, you're not limited to dogs and cats. House rabbits are easily litter trained. Reptiles are quiet. Some birds will talk to you.
Launch the next digital diva
Convince your cutie cat to pose, pounce, primp, pout, or play the piano. Post the video on the kitty's account. Pray for viral volume.
Pamper your pooch
What does your furry friend like? A mallard tuggy toy? A nice belly rub? Get down on the floor and give that pup some love!
Take the National Pet Day Quiz
5 Facts About Egyptians And Their Pets That Will Blow Your Mind
The Egyptians grieved their pets publicly
When a family cat died, the Egyptians shaved their eyebrows; they shaved the rest of their bodies for a dog.
The Egyptians prized and protected cats
The penalty for killing a cat, even by accident, was death.
The Egyptians were inconsistent with pet names
The Egyptians named their dogs, but did not commonly name their cats.
The Egyptians kept many animals as pets
According to scholars, the Egyptians also had baboons, monkeys, fish, gazelles, birds, (especially falcons), lions, mongooses, and hippos as pets.
The Egyptians sacrificed their country for cats
In 525 B.C., refusing to offend their goddess by fighting, the Egyptian army surrendered to the Persians, who had painted the image of the Egyptian cat deity, Bastet, on their shields.
Why We Love National Pet Day
Most of us have a pet
In the U.S., 67% of households have a pet. We spend approximately $75 billion a year on pet care and products.
Pets are part of the family
A 2016 Harris poll showed that 95% of pet owners say their pets are part of the family. That's an increase of seven points from 2007.
Pets are fun
Only a pet will chase a ball for you, pounce on a laser point, or nibble carrots from your hand. Enjoy watching your hamster stuff its cheeks, your guinea pig chew up a TP tube, or your ferret frolic in its hammock. Your guinea pig will probably pee in your lap — but it's so cute!
National Pet Day Featured Video
National Pet Day
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