2018 Pet-Related Holidays and Themes to Blog About
Could you use some inspiration developing great blog post ideas? What if we could offer you an entire year of pet-related holidays and themes to blog about? This list is meant to be a guide, an idea generator, and, in addition to blog fodder, these ideas lend themselves well to social media. For example, remind your followers on Facebook that it’s “National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day” and pair the reminder with a cat health blog post linking directly back to your blog. The same holds true for Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Twitter, any other platforms with which you engage.
Note: If you know the hashtag associated with a certain pet-related holiday or theme, be sure to use that in conjunction with your blog post and social shares. This is a creative way for folks to find your content. Here’s how to develop a hashtag strategy for Instagram. Hashtags can be quite tricky, especially if you have no clue what they mean. Discover what hashtags mean, and add your own definitions with tagdef.com. Note: When creating a new hashtag, ensure that it isn’t already being used. No one actually “owns” a hashtag, but you certainly don’t want to tweet with a hashtag that has previously been used. You can easily find this information by searching for a hashtag on tagboard.com. Type in “funnydogs.” Of course, this is heavily used so there is nothing new about it. However, you can jump on the #funnydogs hashtag bandwagon if you post a funny photo of your dog on social media.
Bookmark this post, refer back to it, and save it for a year’s worth of 2018 pet-related holidays and themes to blog about and share on social media.
Without further ado, here’s a month by month idea generator of pet-related holidays and themes with some bonus material along the way:
Important BlogPaws Dates, Reminders, and To Do’s
- Every Tuesday except the third Tuesday of the month, #BlogPawsChat takes place at 8:30 pm ET on Twitter.
- BlogPaws Facebook Live events take place several times throughout the month on both the BlogPaws Main Facebook Page and the BlogPaws Social Learning Community Facebook Group.
- Every Wednesday on the BlogPaws blog is a networking opportunity called the Wordless Wednesday blog hop. Visit the blogs listed to put the social in social media and help grow your blog.
- Get the very latest BlogPaws News in the official BlogPaws News and Boost Facebook Group.
- Join the BlogPaws Social Learning Community to learn, connect, network, grow, and develop as a blogger and influencer.
On the Chinese Calendar, 2018 is the Year of the Dog.
January
Overall themes:
- Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
- National Train Your Dog Month
- Walk Your Pet Month
- Get Organized Month
- Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Holidays:
January 1: New Year’s Day (great post for resolutions, jump start the year)
January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day and National Mew Year for Cats Day
January 5: National Bird Day
January 6: Epiphany
January 8: National Bubble Bath Day (fun post for pet bath tips, shampoo safety, grooming, etc)
January 14: National Dress Your Pet Up Day, National Seeing Eye Dog Day, Bald Eagle Appreciation Day
January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Hat Day
January 18: Winnie the Pooh Day
January 19: National Popcorn Day
January 20: National Penguin Awareness Day
January 21: National Squirrel Appreciation Day (um hello, cute photos time), National Hugging Day
January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day
January 24: Change A Pet’s Life Day, Belly Laugh Day, Compliment Day
January 25: National Opposite Day
January 26: Australia Day, Rattlesnake Round Up
January 29: Seeing Eye Guide Dog Birthday
January 31: Backwards Day
February
Overall themes:
- National Pet Oral/Dental Health Care Month
- Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
- Beat the Heat Month
- International Hoof Care Month
- American Heart Month
- Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
- National Wild Bird Feeding Month
- National Cat Health Month
- Unchain a Dog Month
- Dog Training Education Month
- National Bird Feeding Month
Holidays:
February 2: Groundhog Day
February 4: Super Bowl Sunday, Thank a Mailman Day (great for bite prevention tips, training)
February 6: Chinese New Year
February 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week (great blog topic to raise awareness and provide actionable tips to help dogs who are chained)
February 13: Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday
February 14: Valentine’s Day, National Pet Theft Awareness Day, World Whale Day, National Hippo Day, Pet Theft Awareness Day
February 16: Chinese New Year
February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 19: President’s Day
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
February 22: Walking the Dog Day
February 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
February 26: March 4: National Justice for Animals Week
February 27: Polar Bear Day, World Spay Day
February 28: Public Sleeping Day
OTHER: Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City: February 12 and 13, 2018 AND DWAA Annual Banquet and Awards: February 10, 2018
March
Overall themes:
- Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
- Craft Month
- Women’s History Month
- Dolphin Awareness Month
- Pet Poison Prevention Month
Holidays:
March 1: National Pig Day, National Horse Protection Day
March 3: If Pets Had Thumbs Day
March 4: Oscars Night on TV
March 4-10: Professional Pet Sitters Week
March 6: National Frozen Food Day
March 8: International Women’s Day
March 11: Daylight Savings Time Begins (spring forward one hour in many areas of the US)
March 13: K9 Veterans Day
March 14: Learn About Butterflies Day, Save a Spider Day
March 16: Panda Day
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day, Saint Gertrude of Nivelles Day (patron saint of cats)
March 19 – 25: National Poison Prevention Week
March 19: Poultry Day
March 20: International Earth Day, World Sparrow Day, World Frog Day, International Day of Happiness (Reasons a Pet Makes You Happy is a great topic), first day of Spring
March 22: International Day of the Seal and World Water Day (great for water intake, etc)
March 23: National Puppy Day
March 25: Manatee Appreciation Day
March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
March 30: Passover Begins in the Evening, Take a Walk in the Park Day (great for walking a pet)
OTHER: Crufts (The World’s Largest Dog Show) in England: March 8-11, 2018
April
Overall themes:
- World Habitat Awareness Month
- National Pet Month
- Stress Awareness Month
- American Red Cross Pet First Aid Awareness Month
- Garden Month
- Heartworm Awareness Month
- National Frog Month
- Adopt a Greyhound Month
- Zoo and Aquarium Month
- Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
- Decorating Month (great for craft ideas with a pet theme)
- Poetry Month
- Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs
Holidays:
April 1: Easter, April Fool’s Day, Talk Like Shakespeare Day
April 1- 7: International Pooper Scooper Week
April 2: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 4: World Rat Day
April 7: Every Day is Tag Day
April 8: National Dog Fight Awareness Day
April 16: National Librarian Day (great post for pet-themed books)
April 16-22: National Pet ID Week
April 17: Bat Appreciation Day
April 18-20: BlogPaws 2018 Conference: Kansas City, Missouri (the 10th Conference: great blog topic of BlogPaws through the years)
April 19: Pet Owners Day
April 20: Look Alike Day
April 22: Earth Day
April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day
April 24: National Pet Parents Day
April 25: World Penguin Day
April 26: Help a Horse Day, National Kids and Pets Day (instill ideas in kids to respect pets, bite prevention, how to pet a cat: Ideas for posts)
April 27: Hairball Awareness Day
April 28: World Veterinary Day
April 30: National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Animal Advocacy Day, World Veterinary Day, National Tabby Day, Bulldogs are Beautiful Day, National Pet Parents Day
May
Overall themes:
- National Pet Month
- Chip Your Pet Month
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month
- Responsible Animal Guardian Month
- Lyme Disease Prevention Month
- National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
- National Photograph Month
Holidays:
May 1: Save the Rhino Day, National Purebred Dog Day, May Day
May 3: National Specially Abled Pets Day, National Hug Your Cat Day
May 4: May the Fourth Be With You: Star Wars Day, Bird Day
May 5: Cinco de Mayo, National Ferret Day
May 7: Mayday for Mutts
May 7-13: National Be Kind to Animals Week
May 8: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 13: Mother’s Day, Frog Jumping Day
May 14: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 16: National Sea Monkey Day
May 19: Armed Forces Day
May 20: First Day of Spring
May 21-27: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
May 21: Victoria Day (Canada)
May 23: World Turtle Day
May 24: National Escargot Day
May 27: National Heat Awareness Day
May 28: Memorial Day
May 30: International Hug Your Cat Day
June
Overall themes:
- Adopt a Cat Month/Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
- National Pet Preparedness Month
- National Microchipping Month
- Social Petworking Month
Holidays:
June 2: National Go Barefooting Day (good for paw safety)
June 4: Hug Your Cat Day
June 4-10: Pet Appreciation Week
June 5: World Environment Day
June 8: Best Friends Day
June 10: World Pet Memorial Day
June 14: Flag Day
June 16: Fresh Veggies Day
June 17: Father’s Day
June 19: National Pets in Film Day, National Kissing Day
June 19-23: Take Your Dog to Work Week
June 20: American Eagle Day
June 21: Selfie Day, National Dog Party Day, First Day of Summer
June 22: Take Your Dog to Work Day
June 29: Camera Day (pet photo contests, photo tips for pets all make for great blog posts)
OTHER: CWA Annual Conference: June 7-9, 2018
July
Overall themes:
- National Blueberry Month
- Dog House Repair Month
- National Anti-Boredom Month
- National Hot Dog Month
- National Ice Cream Month
- National Picnic Month
- Pet Hydration Awareness Month
- National Lost Pet Prevention Month
Holidays:
July 1: Canada Day, ID Your Pet Day
July 3: Stay Out of the Sun Day
July 4: Independence Day (dangers of fireworks and escaping to pets as blog fodder)
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
July 13: Cow Appreciation Day
July 14: Shark Awareness Day
July 15: I Love Horses Day, National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 16: World Snake Day
July 17: National Pig Day
July 21: National Craft For Your Shelters Day
July 23: National Hot Dog Day, Parents Day
July 31: Mutt’s Day, International Day of Friendship
August
Overall themes:
- Family Fun Month
- National Catfish Month
- Water Quality Month
- National Picnic Month
Holidays:
August 1: DOGust (Universal Birthday for shelter dogs)
August 5-11: International Assistance Dog Week
August 7: National Friendship Day
August 8: International Cat Day, National Happiness Day
August 9: National Book Lovers Day
August 10: National Lazy Day, Spoil Your Dog Day
August 11: National Sons and Daughters Day
August 12: World Elephant Day
August 16: Saint Roch’s Day (patron saint of dogs)
August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 18: National Honey Bee Day
August 19: International Homeless Animals Day
August 20: World Mosquito Day (topic starter: mosquito dangers and prevention to pets)
August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
August 26: National Dog Day
August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
August 30: National Holistic Pet Day
September
Overall themes:
- Catalyst Council’s Happy Healthy Cat Month
- Animal Pain Awareness Month
- National Disaster Preparedness Month
- National Food Safety Education Month
- National Service Dog Month
- Responsible Dog Ownership Month
- Chicken Month
Holidays:
- Start getting your blog, social media, and gift guides ready for the holidays
September 3: Labor Day
September 9: Grandparents Day (think of all the pet grandparents of the human variety who would love a visit from pets today), Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown, National Pet Memorial Day
September 10: National Hug Your Hound Day
September 11: 9/11 Remembrance, Patriot Day
September 13: Pet Birth Defect Day
September 16: Puppy Mill Awareness Day, Responsible Dog Ownership Day
September 17- 23: Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week (great blog topic for the pets who are older, have health issues, have been in shelters a long time, different species, etc)
September 18: Yom Kippur begins at sundown and ends in the evening September 19
September 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 20: Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown
September 21: Peace Day
September 22: Elephant Appreciation Day, Autumn begins, International Rabbit Day
September 23: Dogs in Politics Day (recognizing dogs of politicians through history)
September 24-30: National Dog Week and National Deaf Dog Awareness Week
September 28: World Rabies Day
October
Overall themes:
- National Pet Wellness Month
- National Animal Safety and Protection Month
- Pet Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Bat Appreciation Month
- National Pit Bull Awareness Month
- National Service Dog Month
- World Animal Month
- Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
- Wishbones for Pets Month (pet sitters that would like to collect and distribute pet goods/funds for local pet shelters and other pet related agencies in their own community)
Holidays:
October 1: National Black Dog Day, National Fire Pup Day
October 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week – (First Week of October)
October 4: World Pets Day
October 8: Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
October 10: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
October 14-20: National Veterinary Technician Week – interview one, a day in the life, things they do, behind the scenes
October 15: Sweetest Day
October 16: National Feral Cat Day, National Bosses Day, Global Cat Day
October 21: Reptile Awareness Day, Sweetest Day
October 24: United Nations Day
October 28: Plush Animal Lover’s Day (fun post for those pets who love and love to shred stuffed animals)
October 29: National Cat Day, National Pit Bull Awareness Day
October 30: National Black Cat Day in the UK
October 31: Halloween
November
Overall themes:
- National Novel Writing Month
- Native American Heritage Month
- Peanut Butter Lovers Month
- National Sleep Comfort Month
- Adopt a Senior Pet Month
- Pet Diabetes Month
- Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Holidays:
November 1: All Saints Day, National Cook for Your Pets Day
November 2: All Souls Day
November 4: Daylight Savings Ends (fall back one hour in many areas of the US)
November 4-10: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
November 6: Election Day (US), National Healthy Eating Day
November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
November 11: Veterans Day, Remembrance Day (Canada)
November 13: Sadie Hawkins Day, World Kindness Day
November 17: National Take a Hike Day and National Black Cat Day
November 18: Mickey Mouse Birthday
November 22: Thanksgiving Day (United States)
November 23: Black Friday
November 26: Cyber Monday
November 30: Stay Home Because You’re Well Day
December
Overall themes:
- National Cat Lovers Month
- Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Holidays:
December 2: Hanukkah begins at sundown, National Mutt Day
December 4: World Wildlife Conservation Day, National Cookie Day
December 13: National Day of the Horse
December 14: Monkey Day
December 19: National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 21: Winter begins
December 23: Festivus
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Kwanzaa begins, Boxing Day (Canada)
December 31: New Year’s Day
Go even more in depth for additional holidays and unique events with this fun 2018 calendar.
Don’t Stop Now
Generate more blog content ideas with these related posts:
The Ultimate List of Pet Blog Content Ideas
50 Holiday Content Ideas for Pet Influencers
How to Do Keyword Research for Your Next Blog Post
Your Turn
How far out do you plan for your blog and social media content? Will you use any of the ideas above? Let us know in the comments below along with any dates we might have missed for pet lovers.
Carol Bryant is the Marketing and Social Media Manager for BlogPaws and runs her own blog, Fidose of Reality and its fundraising arm, Wigglebutt Warriors. When not busy playing with her Cocker Spaniel, Dexter, she stays far away from cooking. Her trademark is her mantra and is tattooed on her arm: My Heart Beats Dog.®
Images: 9dream studio /rattiya lamrod / wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock.com
