Activate & earn 5,000 pts PER DAY on $50+ products & services thru 4/22* >

National Pet Day Guide: 10 Ways to Celebrate with Your Pet

Pet owner sitting on a couch looking on her phone with a cat and dog at home

In this Article

Key takeaways

  • National Pet Day is April 11 and a great excuse to go a little above and beyond for the animals you share your life with
  • The best celebrations are tailored to your pet, not the ones that look the most impressive on social media
  • Quality time, enrichment, and new experiences are just as meaningful as gifts and treats
  • Every species deserves a little something special, from dogs and cats to small animals, birds, reptiles, and fish
  • A health check-in or grooming appointment is one of the most genuinely thoughtful ways to celebrate
April 11 is National Pet Day, and while every day with a pet is worth celebrating, this one gives you a great reason to be a little extra. Whether you’re planning something elaborate or keeping it simple, the point is the same: a little extra attention goes a long way for the animals who give you their whole heart.
Here are 10 ideas, from quick and easy to worth-planning, for making the day feel special, no matter what kind of pet you have.

1. Treat them to something new

A new treat is an easy win for most pets. Dogs and cats will be happy with a high-value snack they don’t get every day, whether that’s a freeze-dried topper, a dental chew with a little more fanfare, or a classic biscuit from the bakery section. Small animals love a new piece of fresh fruit or a special forage blend. Birds go wild for new textures and flavors, so a foraging treat or a piece of fresh produce tucked into their cage makes for instant enrichment.
Just keep portions appropriate. Treats are a celebration, not a full meal, and for small animals in particular, rich or unfamiliar foods should be introduced in small amounts.

2. Schedule some uninterrupted quality time

Your pet doesn’t know what National Pet Day is. But they do know when you put your phone down and actually show up. One of the most meaningful things you can do is carve out an hour with no distractions: a long walk, an extended play session on the floor, a slow afternoon on the couch.
For dogs, that might mean a longer route than usual, a trip to a new park, or some backyard time with a favorite ball. For cats, it might be a full interactive wand session rather than the usual quick five minutes before dinner. For small animals, an extended free-roam session in a safe space lets them explore and move in ways their enclosure doesn’t always allow.

3. Learn a new trick or game together

Training isn’t just for puppies, and it’s genuinely fun for both ends of the leash. Teaching your dog a new trick, even something simple like spin, touch, or which hand, is mentally stimulating for them and rewarding for you. Most dogs can learn a basic new behavior in a single focused session with the right treats.
Cats are more trainable than their reputation suggests. Target training (touching their nose to a stick or your finger on cue) is a practical starting point that also builds focus and cooperation. It’s also useful for vet visits and grooming. Even indoor enrichment games like hiding treats around the house count as enrichment-based learning.

4. Give them a full grooming moment

A proper grooming session, whether at home or with a Pet Stylist at the Grooming Salon, is one of the most caring things you can do. It’s not just about appearance. Regular grooming keeps skin and coat healthy, lets you check for anything unusual, and for many dogs, a professional appointment means coming home smelling great and feeling noticeably lighter.
At home, a grooming session can include a thorough brush-out, nail trim, ear check, and a bath if you’re feeling ambitious. For cats who tolerate it, a slow brush session while they’re relaxed is often a genuinely pleasant experience for them. Short-haired cats rarely need much, but longer-haired breeds appreciate the attention. A few grooming ideas for dogs of all coat types are covered in the art of grooming your dog.

5. Upgrade their enrichment

A new toy or enrichment item hits different than a repeat of something they’ve already figured out. Novelty is genuinely stimulating for most animals, and National Pet Day is a great excuse to pick up something they haven’t tried yet.
  • Dogs: A puzzle feeder, snuffle mat, or treat-dispensing toy makes mealtime more engaging. A treat-dispensing toy is one of the most versatile enrichment tools available.
  • Cats: An interactive wand toy, a crinkle tunnel, or a new cat tree placement can all reset a cat’s interest in their space.
  • Small animals: New hiding spots, tunnels, or chew toys made from untreated wood or natural materials are always well received. Rearranging their enclosure layout can also refresh their interest in exploring.
  • Birds: A new foraging toy, a different style of perch, or something to shred and disassemble gives a bird a project for the day. Birds are smart and boredom is real, so novelty matters.
  • Reptiles: A new piece of habitat décor, a climbing branch, or a different hide spot can enrich a reptile’s environment. Even rearranging existing items changes how they interact with their space.
  • Fish: Adding a new piece of driftwood, a live plant, or a cave structure gives fish new territory to explore and helps reduce stress for more territorial species.

6. Take a great photo

Your phone is already in your pocket. National Pet Day is one of the most photographed days of the year for pet parents, and for good reason: a genuinely good photo of your pet is something you’ll actually look back at.
A few things that help: natural light near a window almost always beats any filter. Get down to your pet’s level rather than shooting from above. Have a treat in your non-camera hand and be patient. The shot that looks effortless is usually the fifteenth attempt.
For fish and reptile keepers, a photo of a beautifully maintained habitat can be just as compelling as a portrait. Aquarium shots look great with a dark background and good tank lighting, and a vivarium with live plants and natural substrate photographs beautifully when the humidity is right.

7. Do a mini health check-in

Turning a regular home check-in into a deliberate National Pet Day ritual is a meaningful way to celebrate. Set aside five minutes to look at your pet with fresh eyes: How do they feel compared to a month ago? Is their coat in good condition? Are their eyes clear? Are they moving comfortably? Are their nails an appropriate length?
For aquarium owners, this is a good day for a water test, a close look at each fish, and a check of filter function and temperature stability. For reptile keepers, verify your temperature gradient is still accurate and check skin condition, eyes, and any shedding that may be in progress.
If anything prompts a question, jot it down for your next vet visit. Regular observation is how you catch changes early.

8. Refresh their space

A clean, well-organized habitat is a genuine gift. For small animals, fresh bedding and a thorough clean-out of their enclosure is something they’ll appreciate immediately. For birds, a cage refresh with clean liners, freshly washed dishes, and reorganized perches resets their environment in a positive way.
For fish keepers, a water change and a careful gravel vacuum, followed by some time watching your fish react to the fresher water, is one of the more satisfying things you can do in the hobby. For dogs and cats, washing their bed, cleaning their bowls, and laundering any blankets or soft toys they use regularly makes their daily spaces feel new.
Sometimes the nicest thing you can give a pet is a clean, comfortable home.

9. Take them somewhere new (if they enjoy it)

For adventure-ready dogs, a new trail, a different beach, a dog-friendly patio, or a trip to the dog park is a highlight of the year. New smells alone are enriching in a way that your usual neighborhood loop can’t replicate.
For confident cats who enjoy it, an outdoor enclosure session or a walk on a harness and leash can be a genuine treat. Not every cat is up for it, so read your cat’s comfort level honestly before committing.
The key word is “enjoy.” Not every pet thrives on new environments, and forcing an outing on a pet who finds it stressful is the opposite of a celebration. A nervous dog who would rather stay home and nap with you is telling you something. Listen.

10. Share the love (thoughtfully)

National Pet Day is one of the year’s biggest moments on pet social media, and sharing a photo, a story, or a video of your pet is a way to participate in something genuinely joyful. Tag PetSmart in your posts and celebrate alongside a community of pet parents who understand exactly how you feel about your animals.
If you’re feeling especially generous, it’s also a meaningful day to donate to a local shelter or rescue organization. The pets still looking for their families deserve a little spotlight too.

Quick celebration ideas by species

Dog: New puzzle toy, extra-long walk, professional groom, or a pup cup on the way home from somewhere fun
Cat: Extended wand session, new crinkle tunnel, premium treat, or a slow brushing session on their terms
Small animal: Fresh bedding change, new chew toy, a forage mix scattered through their enclosure, or extended supervised floor time
Bird: New foraging toy to shred, a new style of perch, a piece of fresh produce, or a full cage refresh
Reptile: New habitat décor or climbing branch, a temperature gradient check, a live plant addition, or a careful shedding check
Fish: Water change, new piece of driftwood or live plant, an aquascape refresh, or simply an extended quiet observation session

Frequently asked questions

When is National Pet Day?

National Pet Day is celebrated on April 11 each year. It’s a day dedicated to appreciating the pets in our lives and raising awareness for animals still waiting for homes in shelters.

What’s the best way to celebrate with a pet who doesn’t like new things?

Keep it familiar. Some pets thrive on novelty and some genuinely don’t. For a shy or anxious pet, the best celebration might be a calm afternoon in their favorite spot with you nearby. Consistency and presence are their love language. If you want to add something, stick to variations of things they already like rather than introducing something completely new.

Can I celebrate National Pet Day with a fish or reptile?

Absolutely. A water change and aquascape refresh for fish or a new piece of habitat décor for a reptile are genuine enrichment improvements that benefit the animal. A clean, well-maintained habitat is one of the best gifts you can give any pet, regardless of species.

Are there any treats I should avoid for special occasions?

For dogs, avoid anything containing chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, or onions. For cats, avoid dog treats, which are formulated differently and may contain ingredients not appropriate for cats. For small animals and birds, stick to fresh produce in small amounts and avoid anything sugary, salty, or processed. When in doubt, species-specific treats made for your pet are always the safest choice.
Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian. For any medical or health-related advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet, contact your veterinarian.

In this Article

Shop this article

Related articles

Legit ScriptDot Pharmacy
Download on the App StoreDownload on the Google Play Store
Copyright © 2026 Petsmart LLC
RecallsTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsCA Supply Chain ActCA Privacy RightsYour Privacy ChoicesPrivacy Icon
*See Promotional Terms Page for details. Exclusions may apply. While supplies last. Prices & selection may vary by store & online.