National Treat Your Pet Day - It’s National Treat Your Pet Day! Join the celebration of giving your beloved pets their favorite snacks and treats today!

National Treat Your Pet Day 2024 – October 30, 2024

National Treat Your Pet Day is celebrated on October 30 every year. It’s the day to allow our beloved pets to indulge in their favorite snacks or treats! While we all promote a healthy diet for our cats and dogs, there’s no harm in giving them extra treats at least once a year. So, while they’ve been eating nutritiously for the past year, it’s about time to make their taste buds happy! From pet-friendly cookies, and kibbles, to biscuits, you have a wide range of treat selections for your best friend. Find out some of the ways you can celebrate National Treat Your Pet Day.

History of National Treat Your Pet Day

Did you know that dog treats were invented by accident? In 1880, a butcher in London was trying to expand his business by baking a new biscuit recipe for his customers to enjoy. Unfortunately, the end product tasted so awful that he couldn’t consume it himself. He didn’t want it to go to waste so he gave it to his dog instead. And guess what? The dog loved it. This gave the shop owner the idea to bake treats for dogs, which he eventually did. Once he started baking the same biscuit recipe in the shape of a bone, it started selling quickly. By 1908, an American businessman bought his recipe and introduced it to the United States.It was F.H. Bennett Biscuit company that started producing and manufacturing dog treats in the U.S. By 1911, the recipe was granted patent and went by the name Milk-Bone®by 1915 — a nod to cow’s milk, which was one of its ingredients.In the 1960s, Nabisco Biscuit Company acquired the Milk-Bone® brand and soon dominated the market. Not only was it marketed as a delicious treat for your pets, but it also promoted healthy benefits like cleaning your dog’s teeth and fresher breath. When the 1970s came, several companies produced their branded dog treats, which caused the competition to quickly rise.It wasn’t until October 30, 2021, when Dr. Marty Pets created the National Treat Your Pet Day. It was a day dedicated to giving your pets extra care and love through treats! Since it’s also celebrated close to Halloween, this acts as your pet’s trick-or-treat festivity.

National Treat Your Pet Day timeline

1880
The Birth of Dog Treats

Dog treats are accidentally invented by a butcher in London after baking bad biscuits, which his dog enjoyed.

1911
Dog Treats in the U.S.

The F.H. Bennett Biscuit company acquires the original dog treat recipe and introduced it to the U.S. under the brand Malatoid, and is changed to Milk-Bone® four years later.

1960s
Healthy Dog Treats

Nabisco Biscuit Company acquires Milk-Bone® and markets its added health benefits like cleaner dog teeth and fresher breath.

1970s
The Commercialization of Dog Treats

Several other companies start producing and manufacturing dog treats.

October 30, 2021
The First National Treat Your Pet Day

Dr. Marty Pets creates the first National Treat Your Pet Day.

National Treat Your Pet Day FAQs

Can I give dog biscuits to my dog every day?

Since most dog treats are high in sugar, it is recommended that dog treats should only be given to your dogs occasionally.

What are some of the healthiest dog treat brands?

Veterinarians recommend Pupford Freeze-Dried Treats, Milk-Bone® Soft & Chewy Treats, and Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Dog Treats. Not only are they satisfying, but they’re also packed with nutrients.

What treats should I avoid giving my dog?

Any treats that are extremely high in sugar, additives, and artificial chemicals can be toxic to dogs. If in doubt, give your veterinarian a call.

National Treat Your Pet Day Activities

  1. Give your pet a kibble

    Embrace this holiday and give your pet their favorite treats! It’s a once-a-year event so don’t be afraid to be generous. They deserve this extra enjoyment.

  2. Take your pet on a trick-or-treat

    Since this holiday is close to Halloween, it’s your pet’s chance to go house-to-house for a trick-or-treat festivity! It’s also your chance to show off your fur baby to other people!

  3. Take them on a picnic

    Dogs love the outdoors, right? Why not take them to the park for the day? Arrange a picnic full of dog treats for your pet to enjoy while merrily playing under the sun!

5 Fun Facts About Dog Treats

  1. Dog’s bread

    Before dog biscuits were invented, ‘dog’s bread’ was commonly referred to as snacks for dogs.

  2. The longest dog biscuit ever made

    A record 19 ft long and 3.8 ft wide dog biscuit was baked in 2011 in the U.S.

  3. Low in calories

    Most dog treats are only 10% in calories.

  4. Apple flavored-biscuits

    Apple-flavored dog treats are the ones that dogs enjoy the most.

  5. The world’s best-selling dog treat

    The world’s best-selling dog treat is Whimzees Dental Treats.

Why We Love National Treat Your Pet Day

  1. We love our fur babies

    National Treat Your Pet Day is not just about the food but the attention, love, and care we give to our pets. They deserve this kind of affection! After all, spoiling them for a day won’t do any harm!

  2. They deserve treats

    We all want a much-deserved cheat day, right? This day is your pet’s reward for eating healthily and behaving well the entire year.

  3. Dogs deserve to have fun

    Nothing beats seeing your fur babies having the time of their lives. Give them treats and watch their tails wiggle. It couldn’t get any better than that!

National Treat Your Pet Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 October 30 Sunday
2023 October 30 Monday
2024 October 30 Wednesday
2025 October 30 Thursday
2026 October 30 Friday