October Observances That Celebrate Your Dog!

Did you know that October has a LOT of observances that celebrate your furry best friend?! Well, up until we started researching for this post, we had no clue either!

Since we already have a few festive posts about the best eco-friendly Halloween costumes for your pup and how to dispose of your Halloween pumpkins, we thought we’d turn the tables and find ALL the reasons to celebrate our pups this October (as if we need any more excuses, right?).

Here are the best dog-friendly October observance days that celebrate your four-legged friend!

October 1 - National Black Dog Day

National Black Dog Day specifically celebrates dark-haired pups and encourages future pet owners to adopt a dog that comes in darker shades. 

While new studies contradict this, it was believed that black dogs (and cats) were less likely to be adopted from shelters compared to their light-haired compatriots. However, this study debunks the myth of Black Dog Syndrome, and luckily, fur color is no longer a prejudice for potential adoptee dog parents.  

But we can still celebrate National Black Dog Day! If you’re considering adopting a new pup, opt for a black one! Or, if you already have a dark-haired dog, take them for a long walk or play fetch with them at your local park to commemorate their special day!

October 4 - World Animal Day 

Okay, okay. A few observance days on this list aren’t exactly dog-specific. But dogs are animals, and World Animal Day is meant “to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.” And dogs have welfare standards, too!

From rabies awareness campaigns to spaying and neutering stray dogs and cats, there is always room to learn more about animal welfare and educate ourselves on how to help the animals in our local community and worldwide. 

The team behind World Animal Day believes that “building the celebration of World Animal Day mobilizes people for action now for a better future for animals.” and “through increased awareness and education, we can help develop a compassionate culture which feeds into legal reform and social progress to make this world a fairer place for all living creatures.”

We couldn’t agree more!

October 21 - National Pets for Veterans Day

National Pets for Veterans Day is a triple whammy of an observance day, and we love it for that! Not only does this day 1) recognize the men and women who have served our country, but it also 2) raises awareness around the mental health benefits that caring for dogs (or any animal) can provide veterans and 3) highlights the need for rescued animals to have a home. 

Veterans and rescue dogs both benefit from the connection and support they can bring to each other. So if you know a vet in need of a pet, consider National Pets for Veterans Day the perfect time to encourage them to adopt their new furry best friend!

October 24 (2022) - National Pit Bull Awareness Day

We all know that Pit Bulls get a bad rap in the dog breed world –which is exactly why Jodi Preis of Bless the Bullys (a pit bull rescue and education group) created a national awareness day for Pit Bulls that falls on the last Saturday of October.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is one of “appreciation and education designed to change perceptions and stereotypes” of Pit Bulls to one of positivity, not fear and bias.

According to their website, “Knowledge is power, and with education and advocacy, the truth will save lives in terms of negating the fear and bias generated by the media, circumvent knee-jerk reactions such as breed bans, and the truth will result in fewer pit bulls ending up in animal shelters.”

October 30 - National Treat Your Pet Day

We’ll take a wild guess that most dog owners (including us!) LOVE to treat their pets. Luckily, there is a dedicated day JUST for that! Are we saying only give your pets treat one day a year?! Definitely not. But it’s a great excuse to give your pet some extra love with healthy, delicious treats!

Since October falls in the Autumn season (at least for Northern Hemisphere), check out our recent post on DIY and homemade dog treats (Fall Edition) for some dog treat recipe inspiration for National Treat Your Pet Day!

October Monthly Observances 

October observances don’t stop at day celebrations! October is actually a very busy month for dog-centered celebratory events! Here are a few October monthly observances that center around your furry best friend!

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

If ever there was a time to adopt a dog from a shelter, October is the month. However, considering there are 3.3 million dogs in need of a new home (ASPCA), we’d argue adopting a dog is an all-year-round thing. Since Adopt A Shelter Dog Month is technically October, why not celebrate it by adopting a pup or encouraging friends and family to?!

National Animal Safety and Protection Month

Okay, this is another animal rather than dog observance celebration, BUT the main point of National Animal Safety and Protection Month is to raise awareness about the safety and protection of your pets by being prepared and aware. 

There are several things, as a pet owner, you can do to enhance your pet's safety, including keeping all animals up to date on immunization, pet-proofing your home and property, making sure your animals are identified through tags or chips, knowing basic animal first aid, and having a disaster or emergency plan for your pet. 

National Pet Wellness Month

Bouncing off the above observance day, National Pet Wellness Month was “designed to educate pet owners on how to best care for their pets and to encourage pet wellness year-round.” 

So, how can you do this? Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise, stimulate their mind with toys or games, ensure they eat nutritious and healthy meals, maintain as much of a routine as possible, schedule regular vet visits, and keep them on top of their immunizations or medications.

So there you have it! October is filled with all the celebratory excuses you need to lavish your pup with all the love and treats, and protection you can think of! Which day or month observance was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!