Your Ultimate 2026 Social Media Calendar for Veterinary Hospitals in the USA and Canada
- Cheyanne Flerx
- Dec 19, 2025
- 11 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
By Cheyanne Lovan
Looking for a curated list of social media calendar holidays and awareness-focused dates to incorporate into your social media posts for your veterinary practice?
This curated list of dates will help spark ideas. Bookmark this page to return later.
If you plan to use this list of social media holidays as your main guide for what to post, I encourage you to read this note before proceeding, as I think it will help boost your overall engagement.
Looking for a month? Click the month you're looking for, and you'll be taken directly to that month.
Want to download or print this list with a calendar view?
Fill out this form, and I'll send it to you!
January
Months
One Health Awareness Month
Walk Your Pet Month
National Train Your Dog Month
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Unchain a Dog Month
National CBD Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Eye Care Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Organized Month
Days
January 2:
National Pet Travel Safety Day
Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
January 4:
World Braille Day
National Spaghetti Day
National Trivia Day
January 5:
National Bird Day
Golden Globes Awards
January 6:
National Cuddle Up Day
National Standard Poodle Day
National Screenwriter’s Day
January 7:
National Alaskan Malamute Day
National Bobble Head Day
January 8:
National Labrador Retriever Day
Bubble Bath Day
January 9:
National Australian Shepherd Day
Appreciation Day
Law Enforcement Day
January 11:Â National Milk Day
January 12: Kiss a Ginger Day
January 13: National French Bulldog Day
January 14:
National Dress Up Your Pet Day
Orthodox New Year
January 15:
National American Eskimo Dog Day
National Hat Day
January 17: National Boxer Day
January 19:Â National Popcorn Day
January 20:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Penguin Awareness Day
January 21:
Squirrel Appreciation Day
National Hug Day
January 22:
National Yorkshire Terrier Day
National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day
January 23:Â National Pie Day
January 24:
Change a Pet’s Life Day
National Peanut Butter Day
International Day of Education
National Compliment Day
January 28: Data Privacy Day
January 29:
Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary
Lunar New Year
January 30:Â National Croissant Day
January 31:Â National Hot Chocolate Day
Grab January focused post ideas here.
February
Months
Pet Dental Health Month
Dog Training Education Month
National Cat Health Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month (AKA Beat the Heat Month)
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
American Heart Month
Weeks
February 2–3: Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show
February 7–14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
February 22-28:Â Bird Health Awareness Week
February 22-28:Â National Justice for Animals Week
Days
February 2: National Hedgehog Day
February 3:
Doggie Date Night
National Golden Retriever Day
February 14:
Valentine’s Day
Pet Theft Awareness Day
February 19: National Boston Terrier Day
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
February 22:
Walking the Dog Day
National Wildlife Day
February 23: National Dog Biscuit Day
February 24:Â World Spay Day (last Tuesday in February)
Grab February focused post ideas here.
March
Months
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Social Work Month
Weeks
March 1–7: Professional Pet Sitters Week (first full week in March)
March 15–21: National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW)
Days
March 1:
National Pig Day
National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 3:
World Wildlife Day
If Pets Had Thumbs Day
Tripawd Awareness Day
March 4:Â National Sons Day
March 6:Â Employee Appreciation Day
March 8: International Akita Day
March 13: K-9 Veterans Day
March 14:
UK Dog Theft Awareness Day
Pi Day
March 17:
St. Patrick’s Day
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles Day (patron saint of cats)
March 20: World Sparrow Day
March 23:
National Puppy Day
Cuddly Kitten Day
March 25: National Newfoundland Dog Day
March 27: National Terrier Day
March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
March 30:
Take a Walk in the Park Day
Doctor’s Day
Grab March-focused post ideas here.
April
Months
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month (Red Cross)
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Canine Fitness Month (AKA Active Dog Month)
National Adopt a Greyhound Month
National Frog Month
National Pet Awareness Month
Weeks
April 1–7: International Pooper Scooper Week
April 6–12: National Public Health Week
April 12–18:
Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week (second full week in April)
National Dog Bite Prevention Week (second full week in April)
April 17-23:Â National Pet ID Week (third week in April)
April 19–25: Veterinary Receptionist Week
April 20–26: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week (third week in April)
April 23–29: National Scoop the Poop Week
Days
April 1:
April Fool’s Day
International Bull Terrier Day
April 2:Â National Ferret Day
April 4:
World Stray Animal Day
World Rat Day
Every Day is Tag Day (first Saturday in April)
April 5:Â Easter
April 6:Â National Siamese Cat Day
April 7:
World Health Day
National Pet Health Insurance Day
April 8:Â National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
April 10:
National Hug Your Dog Day
National Siblings Day
April 11:
National Pet Day
Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
April 12:Â World Hamster Day
April 15:Â Tax Day
April 17:Â National Bat Appreciation Day
April 19:
National Cat Lady Day
Dog Parent Appreciation Day
April 21:Â Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
April 22:
Earth Day
National Beagle Day
April 23:Â National Lost Dog Awareness Day
April 24:
April 25:Â World Veterinary Day (last Saturday in April)
April 26:Â Hairball Awareness Day
National Kids and Pets Day
National Pet Parents Day
April 27:Â National Little Pampered Dog Day
April 29:Â International Guide Dog Day (last Wednesday in April)
April 30:
Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
National Therapy Animal Day
National Tabby Day
Grab April-focused post ideas here.
May
Months
National Pet Month
National Foster Care Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Chip Your Pet Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
National Service Animal Eye Exam Month
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Healthy Vision Month
Weeks
May 3-9:
Puppy Mill Action Week (starts the Monday before Mother’s Day)
National Pet Week (first full week of May starting on a Sunday)
American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals Week (first full week of May starting on a Sunday)
May 4-10:
Dog Anxiety Awareness Week
Days
May 1:
National Purebred Dog Day
International Samoyed Day
May 3:
National Specially-Abled Pets Day
May 4:
Star Wars Day
Wildfire Preparedness Day
Mayday for Mutts (first Sunday in May)
May 5:Â Cinco de Mayo
May 8:Â National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day (second Saturday in May)
May 9:
World Migratory Bird Day
National Dog Mom’s Day (second Saturday in May)
May 10:
German Shepherd Day
Mother’s Day
May 11:
National Technology Day ****
May 14:Â International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 15:Â Endangered Species Day
May 20:Â National Rescue Dog Day
May 23:Â World Turtle Day
May 25:Â Memorial Day
Grab May-focused post ideas here.
June
Months
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Microchipping Month
Adopt-a-Cat Month® from the American Humane Association
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
National Foster a Pet Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
Pride Month
Social PETworking Month
Weeks
June 7–13: Pet Appreciation Week (first week in June)
June 15–21: Animal Rights Awareness Week (third week in June)
June 22–26: Take Your Pet to Work Week®
Days
June 1: International Sheltie Day
June 3: National Egg Day
June 4:
International Corgi Day
Hug Your Cat Day
June 7: World Food Safety Day
June 8:
Best Friends Day
World Oceans Day
June 19:
National Garfield the Cat Day
Juneteenth
June 20:
Ugliest Dog Day
National Dog Dad Day
June 21:
Father’s Day
National Dog Party Day
National Dachshund Day
June 22: Take Your Cat to Work Day®
June 24: Cat World Domination Day
June 26: Take Your Dog to Work Day®
June 27:Â World Day Against the Abandonment of Domestic Animal
June 28: National Insurance Awareness Day
June 29:Â National Camera Day
June 30:Â World Social Media Day
Grab June-focused post ideas here.
Learn how to plan your posts ahead of time in this video:
July
Months
National Lost Pet Prevention Monthâ„¢
National Pet Hydration Awareness Month
Weeks
July 6–12: National Farriers Week
Days
July 1: ID Your Pet Day
July 4: Independence Day (USA)
July 6: World Zoonoses Day
July 10: National Kitten Day
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day (USA)
July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 16: World Snake Day
July 21: National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day
July 22: AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day
July 26:
National Parents Day
National Dog Photography Day
July 30:
International Friendship Day
National Intern Day
July 31:
National Mutt’s Day
National Avocado Day
August
Months
National Immunization Awareness Month
Itchy Pet Awareness Month
Weeks
August 2–8:
International Assistance Dog Week (first full week of August)
Give a Dog a Bone Week (first full week of August)
Days
August 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
August 3:Â Civic Holiday (first Monday in August)
August 4:
Assistance Dog Day
August 6: Fresh Breath Day
August 8: International Cat Day
August 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
August 14: World Lizard Day
August 15:
National Check the Chip Day
International Homeless Animals’ Day
August 16: Saint Roch’s Day (patron saint of dogs)
August 17:
National Black Cat Appreciation Day
International Non-Profit Day
August 19: World Photo Day
August 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
August 23: Blind Dog Day
August 26:
National Dog Day
World Dog Day
August 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
August 30:
National Holistic Pet Day
National Beach Day
Grab August-focused post ideas here.Â
September
Months
Animal Pain Awareness Month
Happy Cat Month
National Service Dog Month
National Pet Insurance Month
Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Pet Sitter Education Month
National Disaster Preparedness Month
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Weeks
September 6–12: Suicide Prevention Week
September 14–20: Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week (third week in September)
September 20-26:Â National Deaf Dog Awareness Week (last full week in September)
September 21-27:Â National Farm Health and Safety Week
Days
September 1:
Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
September 4:
National Wildlife Day (observed twice a year now)
College Colors Day
September 5:Â International Bacon Day
September 7:Â Labor Day
September 8:
National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
National Iguana Awareness Day
September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day
September 13:
Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
World Pet Memorial Day
National Hug Your Hound Day (second Sunday in September)
National Pet Memorial Day (second Sunday in September)
September 17: National Pet Bird Day
September 19:
National Meow Like a Pirate Day
Puppy Mill Awareness Day (third Saturday in September)
Responsible Dog Ownership Day (third Saturday in September)
September 23:Dogs in Politics Day
September 24: Remember Me Thursday® (fourth Thursday of September)
September 26:Â International Rabbit Day
September 28: World Rabies Day
September 29:
World Heart Day
National Coffee Day
September 30:Â International Podcast Day
Grab September-focused post ideas here.
October
Months
Adopt-A-Dog Month®
Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Pitbull Awareness Month
Weeks
October 4–10:
National Walk Your Dog Week (first week of October)
Animal Welfare Week (first week of October, starting on a Sunday)
October 5–9: Customer Service Week
October 18–24: National Veterinary Technician Week
October 18-24:Â Veterinary Assistant Appreciation Week
Days
October 1:
National Fire Pup Day
National Black Dog Day
October 2:Â World Smile Day (first Friday of October)
October 4: World Animal Day
October 10: World Mental Health Day
October 12:Â Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day (second Monday of October)
October 14: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day (second Wednesday of October)
October 16:
National Fetch Day
National Feral Cat Day/Global Cat Day
National Boss Day
October 21:
National Pets for Veterans Day
Reptile Awareness Day
October 27: National Black Cat Day
October 28:
Plush Animal Lovers Day
National Chocolate Day
October 29: National Cat Day
October 30:Â National Candy Corn Day
October 31:
Halloween
National Pitbull Awareness Day (last Saturday in October)
Grab October-focused post ideas here.
November
Months
Adopt a Senior Pet Month
National Senior Pet Month
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Pet Diabetes Month
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Weeks
November 1–7: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (first full week of November)
November 8-14: VHMA's Practice Manager Recognition Week (unconfirmed)
November 18–24: Antibiotics Awareness Week
Days
November 1:
National Cook for Your Pets Day
Daylight Saving Time ends
November 3: One Health Day
November 4:Â Election Day (USA)
November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
November 8:
International Day of Radiology
International Human-Animal Bond Day
November 11: Veterans Day (USA)
November 12: World Animal Enrichment Day
November 15: National Philanthropy Day
November 16: National Slobber Appreciation Day
November 17: National Take a Hike Day
November 23: Thankful for My Dog Day
November 24: National Border Collie Day
November 26:
Thanksgiving
National Dog Show (always broadcast in the US on Thanksgiving)
November 27:Â Black Friday
November 28:Â Small Business Saturday
Grab November-focused post ideas here.
December
Months
National Cat Lovers’ Month
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Operation Santa Paws (1-24)
Weeks
December 4-12:Â Hanukkah
December 26 – January 1: Kwanzaa
Days
December 1:
National Pie Day
Giving Tuesday
December 2:Â National Mutt Day
December 3:Â World Wildlife Conservation Day
December 4:
National Cookie Day
National Sock Day
December 5:Â Shelter Pets Day
December 6:Â St. Nicholas Day
December 9:Â International Day of Veterinary Medicine
December 11:
National App Day
December 12:
Gingerbread House Day
Poinsettia Day
December 13:Â National Day of the Horse
December 18:Â National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 21:Â Day of Winter Solstice
December 24:Â Christmas Eve
December 25:Â Christmas Day
December 26:
National Candy Cane Day
National Thank-you Note Day
Boxing Day (Canada)
December 27:Â Visit the Zoo Day
December 31: New Year’s Eve
Grab December-focused post ideas here.
Are you looking for a community of other social media managers to brainstorm and share ideas with? Join my FREE Facebook group, Veterinary Social Media Managers, and become a member of our 3,000+ community today!
How to use these holidays in your social media strategy wisely
I get how easy and appealing it is to look at this list, pick and choose which holidays and awareness days to follow, and then base your next social post on that prompt. I did this for years until I noticed every hospital in my area (we had 8 other practices in the area) was doing the exact same thing, and even though our designs were slightly different, it was basically the same thing.
My practice didn’t stand out from others; hardly anyone commented, and I’d spend hours looking up the calendar and racking my brain on how I could make this year different. But all my hard work would go to waste, it seemed, and my practice manager and owner weren’t too impressed with the results either.
I see SO many of my colleagues falling into the same trap, and I want to share that this doesn’t have to be the case! This list of calendar dates wasn’t meant for us to use as our main strategy or guiding force to craft, but rather a marketing tool for many other companies to bring awareness to their companies or have a silly day of fun.
However, we can use this list as a tool to sprinkle in some fun and raise awareness of a select few health conditions and diseases that align with what our practices treat and offer services for.
So don’t feel like you HAVE to make these calendar dates work or even recognize them.
Instead, do the following:
Do some research:
See what will actually connect with your audience and followers
See what the day is promoting and that is endorsing something you and your practice actually supports (a simple Google search can help you learn more about each day)
Assess what days would actually benefit your practice and entice people to want to do business with your veterinary practice.
So what now?!
So, if this isn’t what we should base our strategy on for social media, what do we post about?
What you post for your practice will differ from what another practice should post about, so we need to figure out what will work for YOUR veterinary practice.
Check out these resources to help:
This article, "Why Is Your Veterinary Hospital Using Social Media?" will help you determine what your practice should focus on.
This list of 60 FREE post ideas will also help you take action TODAY to improve your social media approach no matter the time of year.
Seek help from a veterinary marketing consultant, whether that is from me or someone else. Getting an expert’s perspective will help you cut out the guesswork and get results fast! I offer 1:1 consultations if you want to Learn how we can work together here.
About The Author
Cheyanne Lovan is the owner and founder of Hey Cheyanne, LLC. Â
​
She is a former veterinary assistant turned veterinary social media coach and educator, on a mission to leverage her experience and expertise to help veterinary teams genuinely understand and use social media to market their practices.