National Love Your Pet Day

National Love Your Pet Day occurs on February 20 each year in the United States. It’s your chance to celebrate and cherish your beloved pets in ways that show them how special they are!

When is National Love Your Pet Day?

National Love Your Pet Day is celebrated on February 20 each year. Coincidentally, President’s Day also falls on February 20 — check out these famous presidential insights.

National Love Your Pet Day.

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about National Love Your Pet Day.

What are the five most popular pets?

You may not be surprised to learn that dogs and cats make up the most popular pets by a large margin. Here are the top five most popular pets:

1.) Dogs – About one-third of people own a dog. In the U.S., that’s about 80 million households. And 42% of those have more than one dog!

2.) Cats – 23% of people have one or more cats.

3.) Fish – Fish enthusiasts make up 12% of the population.

4.) Birds – 6% of people own parrots, parakeets, cockatiels, and other birds.

5.) Small mammals – Gerbils, hamsters, and mice round out the top five favorite pets.

Lesser-owned pet species include reptiles, horses, Guinea pigs, and tarantulas.

What is the coolest, most exotic pet to own?

Are you looking for something more exotic in the world of pet ownership? Here is a list of some lesser-known pets you might consider. Always check your state’s exotic pet laws before purchasing an animal.

1.) Chinchilla – A chinchilla is a squirrel-sized rodent that is native to the Andes mountains in South America.

2.) Sugar Glider – This gliding possum loves sugary foods like sap and nectar. It can soar through the air like a flying squirrel.

3.) Emperor Scorpion – The Emperor Scorpion from the rainforests and savannas of West Africa is one of the world’s largest scorpions.

4.) Pygmy Goat – These small goats are friendly and easy to handle as pets. They love to play and be social and take to training well.

5.) Tarantula – There are around 1,000 species of tarantulas in the world.

6.) Hedgehog – These spiny little cuties make great companion pets, but they are nocturnal and require a lot of care.

Funniest pet videos

What is the cheapest, low-maintenance pet?

Many children’s first pet is a goldfish. The maintenance is low, along with the initial cost.

Just keep its bowl clean and provide regular feedings of inexpensive fish food. Taking care of a goldfish is a great way for a child to learn about responsibility.

What are the best companion animals?

Companion animals are most commonly dogs and cats but can also include other species like rabbits, birds, gerbils, hamsters, goats, snakes, mice, and horses.

Why do we celebrate National Love Your Pet Day?

Pets are vitally important to our emotional well-being. They give us unconditional love and comfort us when we’re sad. Companionship with a pet teaches us to love, patience, and understanding.

On National Love Your Pet Day, we celebrate our pets and all they mean to our lives.

How do we celebrate National Love Your Pet Day?

Here are some fun ways to make the most of National Love Your Pet Day along with your animal friend.

  1. Adopt a pet– Find that special new family member at a local animal rescue shelter. You’ll be one of about 2.7 million who adopt an animal each year, according to the ASPCA.
  2. Give your pet a gift – Treat fido to a new chew toy or give your cat a delicious meal to celebrate the holiday.
  3. Play with your pet – Spend some quality time indulging your pet in its favorite playful activity.
  4. Watch a pet-themed movie – Good examples of pet-centric films are A Dog’s Journey, Pets United, The Secret Life of Pets, and Marley & Me.
  5. Donate to a shelter – Even if you don’t have a pet, you can celebrate the day by giving some of your time or making a contribution to an animal shelter or rescue.

Fun facts

1.) Women prefer cats more than men. 26% of women own a cat compared to only 22% of men.

2.) Americans share a special bond with their pets. About 12% allow their pet to sleep alongside them in bed. And 10% talk in a special voice when speaking to their pet.

3.) Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment. He is honored on his Feast Day on October 4 each year.

4.) Ancient burials reveal the importance of pets to humankind as early as 12,000 years ago. The remains of dogs and cats have been found alongside their human counterparts.

5.) Be happy; get a pet. A majority (94%) of pet owners report their animal companion puts a smile on their face daily.

Jokes about pets

What do you call a dog magician?
A Labracadabrador!

What did the duck say when he bought lipstick?
“Put it on my bill.”

What do you get when you cross a hammock and a dog?
A rocker spaniel!

Why do birds fly south in the winter?
Because it’s too far to walk!

What do rabbits eat for breakfast?
IHOP.

What is the difference between a cat that got photocopied and a cat that follows you?
One is a cat copy; the other is a copycat!

What is a dog’s favorite city?
New Yorkie!

What’s the most musical part of a chicken?
The drumstick!

What kind of ties do pigs wear?
Pig sties!

Pet Jokes Meme

Pet jokes meme

Pet Puns

What do you call a parrot when it has dried itself after a bath?
Polly unsaturated!

What do cats have for breakfast?
Mice Crispies!

What do you get when you cross a sheepdog with a rose?
A collie-flower!

What happened to the dog that ate nothing but garlic?
His bark was much worse than his bite!

A pony went to see the doctor because it couldn’t speak.
“I know what’s wrong,” said the doctor.
“You’re a little horse!”

Where did the sheep go on vacation?
The Baaaa-Hamas!

What is a cat’s favorite song?
Three Blind Mice!

Which kinds of snakes are found on cars?
Windshield vipers!

Why are cats bad storytellers?
Because they only have one tale.

What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?
Lost!

I lost my dog today, So I put an ad in the paper.
But what good would that do? My dog can’t read!

What’s the difference between a fish and a piano?
You can’t tuna fish!

Pet Quotes

If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty, and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.
James Herriot

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent.
Milan Kundera

It’s difficult to understand why people don’t realize that pets are gifts to mankind.
Linda Blair

We have three cats. It’s like having children, but there is no tuition involved.
Ron Reagan

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.
Josh Billings

Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny, and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children.
Michael Morpurgo

Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.
John Grogan

Sayings about pets

Dogs really are perfect soldiers. They are brave and smart; they can smell through walls, see in the dark, and eat Army rations without complaint.
Susan Orlean

There’s a saying. If you want someone to love you forever, buy a dog, feed it and keep it around.
Dick Dale

I think there’s something great and generic about goldfish. They’re everybody’s first pet.
Paul Rudd

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France

Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.
Orhan Pamuk

I think having an animal in your life makes you a better human.
Rachael Ray

Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.
John Muir

Good pet quotations

Dogs don’t make judgments about physical appearance or abilities, and they don’t care how big your house is or what you do for a living. They care about the quality of your character and your capacity to love.
Elizabeth Eiler

You cannot share your life with a dog…or a cat and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds, and feelings.
Jane Goodall

An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.
Martin Buber

My favorite type of pet has always been a dog. They’re loyal, kind, and offer endless affection.
Brendon Urie

Animals have a much better attitude to life and death than we do. They know when their time has come. We are the ones that suffer when they pass, but it’s a healing kind of grief that enables us to deal with other griefs that are not so easy to grab hold of.
Emmylou Harris

Parrots make great pets. They have more personality than goldfish.
Chevy Chase

I really love pets. They’re like children. They know if you really love them or not. You can’t fool them.
Donna Douglas

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
Roger Caras

I love cats because I enjoy my home, and little by little, they become its visible soul.
Jean Cocteau

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
Andy Rooney

Dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.
Gilda Radner

Time spent with cats is never wasted.
Sigmund Freud

Pets have more love and compassion in them than most humans.
Robert Wagner

Pet insights

Most pets display so many humanlike traits and emotions it’s easy to forget they’re not gifted with the English language and then get snubbed when we talk to them, and they don’t say anything back.
Stephenie Geist

Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because, in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it.
Amy Sedaris

You cannot look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.
Jane Pauley

Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.
James Cromwell

Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.
George Eliot

Pet captions for Instagram

  1. Pet Power!
  2. Places to go, people to lick.
  3. I still live with my parents.
  4. Scratch here.
  5. Princess.
  6. Best friends for life.
  7. Official cookie tester.
  8. Crazy cat lady.
  9. If I don’t like you, then my owner won’t either.
  10. Dogs make me happy.
  11. Birdman.
  12. You’re my everything.
  13. Adopt me!
  14. Yes, you can pet my dog.
  15. I do what I want.
  16. Crazy dog lady.
  17. If you’re single and you know it, pet your cat.
  18. Dog mom.
  19. I’m not quiet; I’m plotting.
  20. If you’re reading this, bring me treats.
  21. I give free kisses.
  22. Real men love cats.
  23. Hold my drink. I gotta pet this dog.
  24. Rescue mom.
  25. My bird likes me. Who cares what anyone else thinks?

Hashtags.

  • #NationalLoveYourPetDay
  • #LoveYourPetDay
  • #PetLove

Related holidays

National Hug Your Cat Day June 4

August 10 – National Spoil Your Dog Day

National Fetch Day – October 16

That’s it, go forth and play with your pet today.

Etcetera

You’re on our National Love Your Pet Day – February 20 page.

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Peanut Butter Lover’s Day – March 1

National Day of Unplugging – March 5

March 12 – Alfred Hitchcock Day

National Puppy Day – March 23

January 14 – National Dress Up Your Pet Day