National Treat Your Pet Day 2026: History & Celebration Tips
As the end of October rolls around, many of us are looking forward to celebrating Halloween and all the holidays that come after it, but there’s another special day that falls on October 30th every year: National Treat Your Pet Day!
National Treat Your Pet Day is an unofficial holiday dedicated to pampering our pets and showering them with extra affection. Pet owners have to show that extra love to their furry, feathered, or scaly friends by offering them special treats, toys, and additional care and attention.
If you are a cat lover, read along to learn how to celebrate National Treat Your Pet Day with your favorite feline friend.
A Bit of History
National Treat Your Pet Day was established by veterinarian Dr. Marty Goldstein, who owns the pet food/treat company Dr. Marty Pets. According to Dr. Marty, "With the abundance of chocolate, candies, and pumpkin-spiced goodies for humans this time of year, it's extra important that we provide non-toxic, healthy treats for our pets.1 National Treat Your Pet Day is a great reminder for pet parents to prioritize their pets' health during the holiday season, allowing the whole family to celebrate together safely," he added.
Top 9 Ways on How to Celebrate National Treat Your Pet Day
We all know that there is a huge variety of pets people may choose to have in their lives. Here are some ideas that can make cats of all kinds feel loved and appreciated on National Treat Your Pet Day:
1. Giving Special Treats
Provide your cat with their favorite treats, try some new ones you’ve heard about, or even jump on Pinterest and learn how to make homemade pet-friendly treats.
2. Buying New Toys and Activities
Get your paws on some new toys or learn some new games that your cat might enjoy.
Our Favorite Cat Toys Right Now
Here are a some of our favorite toys, each catering to a variety of senses and play preferences. Which one will your feline fancy?
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set |
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Check Price |
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Hepper Furball Set |
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Check Price |
At Catster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
3. Providing Extra Physical Attention
Spend extra time cuddling, petting, and giving scratches to your cat—if they enjoy that kind of attention!
4. Pampering Them
Give your cat a special grooming session, or take them to a professional groomer for a pampering experience. While some pets get anxious about groping, others love the experience and the extra time with you.
5. Trick-or-Treating!
National Treat Your Pet Day falls the day before Halloween. Why not dress up your cat (if they like that sort of thing!) for some cute photos or walk around the block with you and your kiddos?
6. Scritching and Scratching
Invest in a new scratching post for your cat so they can indulge their urge to scratch on something that isn’t your new sofa.
The Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher is a functional and stylish design that makes it the ultimate scratching spot for your cat – and a superhero in the battle against furniture destruction. Unlike most cat toys that end up being ignored, this one's a crowd-pleaser for both cats and their hoomans.
With its 3 configurations, thick textured cardboard, and solid birch plywood frame, it encourages your cat's natural scratching instincts, so they stay away from your precious furniture, rugs, and curtains, among all other things they shouldn't scratch. The Hi-Lo is like your home's mini guardian, keeping it safe while looking super sleek and trendy.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
7. Perching and Climbing
Cats cherish their alone time and need private places to hide. Cat trees or other arrangements that let your cat steal some time up high (and get some exercise on the way) would be a great treat for National Pet Day.
8. Splurge on a Pet-Friendly Hotel
If finances allow, find a local hotel that allows pets and enjoy a relaxing time away from home together.
9. Indulge in a Spa Day
Go above and beyond grooming and find a spa that will pamper your cat the way they deserve.
Conclusion
National Treat Your Pet Day is an especially fun way to celebrate the companionship and love pets give us. It's, of course, important to treat them well every day by providing love, proper care, and attention to their needs. Every pet is unique, so tailor the celebration to your cat's preferences and personality, and above all, have a ton of fun treating your pet. See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock
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Catster is a cat magazine and cat website where cat lovers come together and get expert advice about cat behavior, cat health and cat news.
