Ah, National Dress Up Your Pet Day! The one day of the year when your dog, cat, hamster, or even iguana can strut their stuff in outfits that are either ridiculously cute or borderline absurd. Now, before you start digging through your pet’s non-existent closet, let’s talk about what makes this day so, well, fabulous—and how you, my fellow pet lovers, can celebrate in style.
Why does this day exist, you may ask. Let’s be real: This day wasn’t created for the pets. Nope. It’s for us, the humans who find unmeasurable joy in turning our pets into little four-legged fashion icons. National Dress Up Your Pet Day, celebrated every January 14, gives us an excuse to squeeze our furry companions into that tiny pirate costume you bought online at 3 a.m.
But hey, it’s also a good way to bond with your pets, right? Plus, they’re just so much more photogenic with a top hat or princess tiara.
How to Celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day
Now that we’ve explored the fun of dressing up pets, it’s time to celebrate! From simple accessories to full-blown outfits, there are plenty of creative ways to make your furry friend the star of the show. Here are some ideas to get started!
- Pet Fashion Show – Turn your living room into a runway by dressing your pets in different outfits and letting them strut down the “catwalk” (pun intended). Invite family members or friends to judge the outfits, or just have fun snapping lots of pictures to share on social media.
- Match Your Pet’s Outfit – Create matching outfits with your pet by coordinating colors or dressing up in a themed costume, like a superhero duo or royal pair. Take a walk or snap some selfies at home to capture the moment—you’ll both look adorable.
- DIY Pet Accessories – Gather craft supplies and make custom accessories for your pet, like a bandana with their name, a sparkly bowtie, or even a small hat. It’s a fun way to bond with your pet and add a personal touch to their style.
- Themed Pet Photoshoot – Set up a creative backdrop using blankets, props, or decorations that match your pet’s costume, such as a pirate scene or a royal throne. Take some professional-looking photos and frame the best one to remember the fun.
- Treat and Dress Combo – Once your pet has shown off their outfit, reward them with some of their favorite treats. You can even create a special meal or treat-tasting session to add extra fun to the day for your furry friend.
Did you know there are hundreds of national days dedicated to pets, especially cats and dogs? We’ve organized them into separate lists, so you can easily find each one.
- Complete list of national days about dogs
- Complete list of national days about cats
- Complete list of national days about pets
When Is National Dress Up Your Pet Day Celebrated?
National Dress Up Your Pet Day takes place every January 14th, making it the perfect chance to add some fun to the winter months. Here’s a list of the upcoming dates for National Dress Up Your Pet Day, extending to 2030:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 14, Tuesday |
| 2026 | January 14, Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 14, Thursday |
| 2028 | January 14, Friday |
| 2029 | January 14, Sunday |
| 2030 | January 14, Monday |
Remembering Harry Whitter Frees
Let’s not forget to give a nod to the original pet fashion photographer, Harry Whitter Frees. This early 20th-century photographer was known for his whimsical photos of animals dressed up in human clothes, often portraying them in everyday scenes. Long before Instagram, Frees was creating iconic images that inspired laughter and delight, much like what we aim to do today with our own pets. National Dress Up Your Pet Day is not just about dressing up our furry friends—it’s a celebration of those who have been turning pets into the stars of the show for generations.
You can see some of his wonderful images in the video below. It’s about a 1936 book called The Four Kittens by Harry Whittier Frees. The story follows four kittens—Buzz, Fuzz, Suzz, and Agamemnon—who dress up and act like kids. They go to school, do chores, and even bake a catnip cake for their mom. It’s a great example of Frees’ playful pet photography. Enjoy!
To summarize, National Dress Up Your Pet Day is your chance to turn your pet into the Instagram star they were clearly meant to be. Some pets rock minimalist bow ties, while others pull off full-on pirate attire. The important thing is to have fun—and give them some extra attention (and treats) to make up for their confused looks. Just don’t be surprised if they expect to be dressed up every day after this.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
