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National Puppy Day 2024: When It Is & How It Is Celebrated

Adam Mann

By Adam Mann

closeup of brown puppy with blue bowl in the background

Who doesn’t need an excuse to spend the day with some puppies? On March 23rd of every year, it’s National Puppy Day, which is the perfect excuse to head out and spend the day with some furry friends!

Puppies fill us with joy throughout the year, and on March 23rd, it becomes all about them. But how can you celebrate National Puppy Day? Well, unless you were already planning on getting a new puppy, we don’t recommend adopting one.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other ways to celebrate National Puppy Day. We’ve come up with a few ideas and highlighted why you should take the time to celebrate National Puppy Day for you below.

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The 6 Ways to Celebrate National Puppy Day

If you’re looking for ways to celebrate National Puppy Day without bringing home a new pup, there are plenty of ways for you to do so. We’ve highlighted six great ways you can celebrate National Puppy Day without incurring a year’s long commitment to a new dog.

1. Volunteer at a Shelter

Shelters are full of dogs and puppies that need love and affection, and what better way to spend National Puppy Day than by giving back? Shelters need people to help run things, take care of the pets, and just spend some time with the animals there.

Not only is it a fun way to spend National Puppy Day, but the shelter and the dogs there will appreciate you too. Just reach out to the shelter before showing up so you can ensure they need you and have something for you to do once you get there.

woman adopting a dog from shelter
Image Credit: hedgehog94, Shutterstock

2. Get a New Dog Toy

Even if your pup isn’t a “puppy” anymore, they still have an inner puppy that likes to come out at times! And what better way to get their inner puppy to come out than to get them a new toy to play with? You know your dog best, so get them a toy they’ll love to celebrate the special day.


3. Go to the Dog Park

If you’re looking to see some puppies on National Puppy Day and you don’t have your own, why not check out the dog park? You can go to one of your favorites or visit a new one. Either way, it’s a great way to get out and see some more dogs.

But before you try to hang out with or take any pictures of the dog at the dog park, talk to the owners and get their permission first.

havanese puppy with white markings running at the park
Image Credit: Sandra Huber, Shutterstock

4. Get a Special Treat

Who doesn’t love a special treat? Whether you have a puppy or an older dog, getting them a few special treats is a great way to celebrate. If you want to go a little above and beyond, you can pick up a few extra treats and donate them to a local shelter or animal rescue.

Just reach out to the local organization beforehand so you can learn more about exactly what they’re looking for.


5. Give Your Pup a Spa Day

This is one of the best ways to go over the top for National Puppy Day. A trip to the puppy spa is an outstanding way for your dog to relax the day away, which is an outstanding choice for puppies and older dogs alike. However, if your dog is already a bit nervous, you might want to skip this idea.

groomer brushing labrador puppy
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

6. Take Some Pictures

Social media rules the world today, and there’s nothing wrong with snapping some pictures of some puppies and sharing them on social media. For a little extra attention to National Puppy Day, you can use the #NationalPuppyDay hashtag.

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In Conclusion

You probably don’t need an extra reason to hang out with some puppies, but March 23rd and National Puppy Day is a great way to do it. Just don’t rush out and purchase a puppy unless you’re fully aware and ready to accept the long-term commitment that comes with getting one.

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Featured Image Credit: Berkay Gumustekin, Unsplash

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