Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

National Pet First Aid Awareness Month – April 2024

National Pet First Aid Awareness Month is celebrated in April every year. This is a special month dedicated to raising awareness among pet parents and animal lovers about pet injuries and providing emergency care in case of injuries. Have you ever wondered what you would do if you find yourself in a situation where you are far from the nearest vet’s office and, unfortunately, your pet gets injured? It is always a good idea to see your veterinarian if your pet gets sick or injured, but in cases like the one mentioned above, you may need to give your furry friend first aid before taking it to the vet.

History of National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

You never know the importance of learning pet first aid unless you are in a place far away from a vet’s clinic. You are out camping, boating, or hiking — or you happen to live on a farm or ranch, where the nearest pet clinic is miles away. These times can become really crucial, and you may need to do your best to help your sick or hurt pets, at least before proper care arrives or becomes within reach.

One of the most important things that all pet parents need to understand is that prevention is the best medicine. While you cannot monitor your pets 24/7 or prevent accidents from happening to them, you can take steps to reduce the dangers and risks your pet faces every day. The first thing you can do to prevent pet accidents is to become conscious of household items that could cause choking, injuries, sickness, or accidental poisoning to the animals. You also need to have your pet’s first-aid kit stocked and ready, just in case.

Accidents happen, and that is inevitable. But giving importance to the National Pet First Aid Awareness Month and knowing how to handle emergencies can save your pet. Thus, even if you spend most of your time at home with your pet and live near a vet, you should still always prepare for a scenario where you are required to attend to an emergency related to your pet. This small task can be what saves your pet’s life.

National Pet First Aid Awareness Month timeline

13000 B.C.
The Domestication of Dogs

Ancient humans begin to domesticate dogs.

1866
The Animal Advocacy Organization is Formed

The ‘American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals’ is established to ensure that animals are treated humanely and with care.

1991
The Birth of Humane Society International

The international division of the Humane Society of the U.S. is established.

2000s
The Change in Attitude Towards Pets

People across the world start to view pets as important members of their family.

National Pet First Aid Awareness Month FAQs

What are some of the pet first-aid tips for owners?

Have emergency contact numbers handy, prevent accidents, get trained on pet first-aid, have a first-aid kit, and act immediately.

What to do when a pet emergency occurs?

Secure the accident area and remove any physical threats, compress any bleeding, start C.P.R., call emergency numbers, drive to the nearest vet clinic, and remain calm.

What should I have in my pet first aid kit?

Some of the must-haves in your pet first aid kit are antibiotic ointment, pet-specific bandages, gauze, scissors, thermometer, saline, tweezers, slip leash, and muzzle.

How to Observe National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

  1. Take a pet first aid course

    Take a pet first aid course organized in your area. It will be available in your vet clinic, pet shop, and local humane societies.

  2. Make a pet first aid kit

    If you don’t have a pet first aid kit it's time to get one done. Make your pet first aid kit with bandages, scissors, gauze pads, sterile saline wash, gloves, and cotton balls today.

  3. Share your story

    Not many people know how to perform first aid to pets. So, if you have this experience or if you work at a pet clinic, share this information with the world via social media.

5 Facts About Pet First Aid

  1. It reduces your pets’ anxiety

    Reducing your pet’s anxiety is crucial to its development, mental, and physical well-being.

  2. Be wary of bones and sticks

    Bones can get lodged in or across the roof of a dog’s mouth, so be wary of sticks and bones.

  3. Burns require immediate treatment

    Aloe vera is a great first aid that you can use on burns suffered by your pet.

  4. Act immediately on dog bites

    If your dog is bitten by another dog, visit a vet clinic immediately and have it checked.

  5. A dark room helps with fits

    If your dog has a fit, move hard objects around him and darken the room.

Why National Pet First Aid Awareness Month is Important

  1. It’s about saving pet lives

    National Pet First Aid Awareness Month doesn’t just raise awareness about pet care and pet first aid. It also empowers us with the skills needed to save pet lives in health emergencies.

  2. We need a holiday such as this

    In today’s world where people have more than one pet in their households, useful and awareness-creating holidays like National Pet First Aid Awareness Month are much-needed. People get to learn how to solve such everyday domestic problems as administering first aid treatment to their pets.

  3. It leads to healthier pets

    Knowing how to give first aid to your pets guarantees better health for them. It also reduces the risk of losing your pet friend to sickness.

National Pet First Aid Awareness Month dates

YearDateDay
2024April 1Monday
2025April 1Tuesday
2026April 1Wednesday
2027April 1Thursday
2028April 1Saturday
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
National Public Health Week
National Window Safety Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Community Garden Week
Cyprus National Holiday
Dyngus Day
Easter Monday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nature Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
White House Easter Egg Roll
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.