National Pet Wellness Month - National Pet Wellness Month is a great time to celebrate the bond between pets and humans by developing ways to lead a healthy, happy life together.

National Pet Wellness Month 2025 – October 2025

National Pet Wellness Month is in October. The goal of the month is to promote pet health and wellness all year long. It’s also a time when people across the country volunteer for pet safety and support animal welfare organizations, such as low-cost spay and neuter clinics and pet vaccination clinics. Because pets are an important part of the family, we must educate ourselves on how to keep them happy and healthy. It is never too late to begin providing a healthy lifestyle for your pet, whether you have had them for a long time or are just bringing them home.

History of National Pet Wellness Month

By the mid-1900s, pets began to be seen as family members and companions rather than working animals. This shift in perspective had a significant impact on how pets were cared for and nurtured in homes across America. It also resulted in advancements in veterinary care, disease prevention, and pet treatment options. Annual veterinary checkups for pets are now routine in many households across the United States.Purdue University launched PetFit, the first wellness program for pets sponsored by the National Research Council of the National Academies, in 2002. They provided an eight-week program with nutrition, behavior, and exercise counseling. The program’s goal was to improve pet health by offering dog weight management services.According to the American Society of Veterinary Medicine, obesity is the most common nutritional problem in dogs and cats today (AVMA). In 2005, a Purdue University study found that overweight dogs who participated in PetFit lost 14% of their body weight in 12 weeks. A year later, a follow-up survey found that 74% of the dogs who participated in PetFit had maintained their new weight, though some owners reported that their dogs were still too heavy.National Pet Wellness Month is an excellent time to provide our pets with the extra attention they require. Most of us have adopted them as members of our family, and it is only natural that we treat them as we would our blood relatives. So, this month, pamper your pet and show them how much you adore them.

National Pet Wellness Month timeline

1761
The First Vet

Claude Bourgelat, of France, establishes the first veterinary school, which is said to have started the veterinary profession.

1900s
Pets Become Family

Pets are seen as family members and companions rather than working animals.

2002
The Very First Wellness Program For Pets

It is called PetFit and is sponsored by the National Research Council of the National Academies at Purdue University.

2005
Study About Pet wellness

Purdue University conducts a study that reveals that overweight dogs who participated in PetFit lost 14% of their body weight over 12 weeks.

National Pet Wellness Month FAQs

How often should your dog get a wellness check?

All dogs need to get a physical check-up once per year. This routine exam is a good way to keep an eye on your dog’s growth and development and make sure he/she stays healthy.

What does a wellness exam consist of for dogs?

Your vet will ask you questions about your dog’s diet, exercise, thirst, breathing, behavior, habits, elimination patterns, lifestyle, and general health. During a physical examination, your vet will check various parts of your dog’s body.

What is the most overlooked pet care health issue?

Dental care. Roughly 80% of pets have some form of dental disease by the age of three. If dental problems are not corrected, serious consequences can occur.

National Pet Wellness Month Activities

  1. Donate your time

    Volunteer work is an important part of human wellness, and it applies to our four-legged friends as well. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or rescue organization. You'll help care for animals in need and find puppies and kittens looking for their forever home. If you don't have time to spend at a shelter, consider donating funds or supplies instead. Many shelters have a wish list of items they need.

  2. Make new friends

    Pet-human friendship is an unbreakable bond — just ask anyone who has a devoted canine or feline companion. Why not celebrate with other pet owners in your neighborhood? Organize a gathering where you and your pets can enjoy food and games with other animal lovers. You could also ask guests to bring donations for a local animal welfare organization, such as blankets, collars, or canned food.

  3. Give your pet a wellness checkup

    Your pet can’t tell you when he/she is experiencing a health issue; instead, you must rely on your observations to discern that your pet is under the weather. Usually, when symptoms get serious, the issue has been present for a while. This is why it's critical to give your pet a thorough examination from head to tail regularly.

5 Amazing Facts About Dogs

  1. A song frequency only dogs can hear

    Paul McCartney in his interview explained that one of the Beatles' songs, ‘A Day in the Life’ has a frequency that only a dog can hear.

  2. Three dogs survived the Titanic sinking

    When the Titanic sank, it was reported that three dogs had survived.

  3. The tallest dog in the world

    A dog named Zeus is 44 inches tall and is the Guinness World Record holder for the tallest dog.

  4. 30% of Dalmatians are deaf in one ear

    On average, about 30% of Dalmatians are deaf in one ear and 5% are deaf in both ears. This is due to something called the extreme piebald gene, whereby dalmatians with larger dark patches are less likely to be deaf.

  5. Dogs have three eyelids

    Most dog owners never notice that their dog has three eyelids — it is called the 'haw' or nictitating membrane and is responsible for keeping the eye protected and lubricated.

Why We Love National Pet Wellness Month

  1. Educate pet parents

    Educate pet owners on the value of preventive care for their pets. One way to do this is by providing brochures about topics such as spaying/neutering, microchipping, dental health, and nutrition. You can also educate them through social media posts and email newsletters that provide tips on keeping their pets healthy.

  2. Increase the number of healthy pets

    It's an opportunity to increase the number of healthy pets by educating people about early detection and prevention. It's about ensuring that our pets receive the best possible care so that they can live healthier, longer lives with us.

  3. Pet checks become cheaper

    During Pet Wellness Month, many veterinarians offer discounted checkups and services. Taking advantage of these promotions will help you keep your pet in great shape throughout the year, allowing you to avoid more expensive medical expenses that can result from neglecting your pet's health.

National Pet Wellness Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 October 1 Sunday
2024 October 1 Tuesday
2025 October 1 Wednesday
2026 October 1 Thursday
2027 October 1 Friday
International Coffee Day
World Vegetarian Day
​International Day of Older Persons
Chinese National Day
National Black Dog Day
National Homemade Cookies Day
National Walk and Bike to School Day
National Hair Day
National Fire Pup Day
Maha Navami
National Lace Day
CD Player Day
Model T Day
International Music Day
Balloons Around the World Day
National Kale Day
National Pumpkin Seed Day
Filipino American History Month
World Ballet Day
International Walk to School Day
National Day of China
Ayudha Puja
Mahanavami
Navami of Durga Puja
Teacher's Day in Uzbekistan
ROK Alliance Day
Nigeria Independence Day
Coffee with a Cop Day
Cyprus Independence Day
World Sake Day
Tuvalu Independence Day
Semana Morazánica
International Raccoon Appreciation Day
Nepal: Maha Navami
Investiture of the Captains Regent in San Marino
FGTeeV Chase's Birthday
Peter Thomas's Birthday
Julie Andrews's Birthday
Latisha Scott's Birthday
Dorian Hunter's Birthday
Jurnee Smollett-Bell's Birthday
Matthew Daddario's Birthday
Priah Ferguson's Birthday
Delianna Urena's Birthday
Zach Galifianakis's Birthday
Nathaniel Drew's Birthday
Myles Parrish's Birthday
RD Benji's Birthday
Brie Larson's Birthday
Drew Chadwick's Birthday
Isis King's Birthday
National Walk Your Dog Week
Elderly Filipino Week
Health Literacy Month
​​Italian American Heritage Month
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Emotional Wellness Month
German American Heritage Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
​National Dental Hygiene Month
​National Depression Education and Awareness Month
National Dessert Month
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Pasta Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
​National Pizza Month
​National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
National Pretzel Month
National Sausage Month
Polish American Heritage Month
​Fair Trade Month
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
Vegetarian Month
National Chiropractic Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
​Blindness Awareness Month
AIDS Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
​National ADHD Awareness Month
​National Critical Illness Awareness Month
​National Ergonomics Month
​National Liver Awareness Month
​National Protect Your Hearing Month
​Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
​World Menopause Month
​National Physical Therapy Month
​National Book Month
LGBTQ+ History Month
National Crime Prevention Month
Church Library Month
Halloween Safety Month
Go Sober For October
Italian American Heritage and Culture Month
Financial Planning Month
International Walk To School Month
National Apple Month
National Non-GMO Month
National Pescatarian Month
Celebrate The Bilingual Child Month
Bat Appreciation Month
National Cookie Month
National Medical Librarians Month
​National Learning and Development Month
Contact Lens Safety Month
Country Music Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Church Safety and Security Month
Head Start Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
National Cookbook Month
Long Term Care Planning Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Audiology Awareness Month
National LGBT History Month
​National Bullying Prevention Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
World Animal Month
Unblocktober
National Pet Wellness Month
World Autism Month
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
World Habitat Awareness Month
Museums and Galleries Month
National Pitbull Awareness Month
Squirrel Awareness Month
National Orthodontic Health Month
​​Global Diversity Awareness Month
Family History Month
International School Libraries Month
Hog Out Month
Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
​Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Work and Family Month
​National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
The Big Draw
National Indigenous Peoples Month
American Pharmacists Month
Black Speculative Fiction Month
​Healthy Lung Month