October has five pet dates. Each one comes with one thing you can do for your pet.
Each date shows up on its day with the one thing to do. Next month's dates are added by themselves.
Keep a new dog's first week quiet. Have few visitors and let the dog come to people in its own time.
Read more: What should the first weeks with an adopted dog look like?
Feel your pet's ribs with your hands. Under a thin layer they should be easy to find and not sharp.
Read more: Is my dog or cat overweight?
Vets say a cat should be spayed or neutered by five months of age.
Read more: When to spay or neuter: cats by five months, dogs by size and breed
A tail held straight up is the friendliest signal a cat gives.
Read more: What is your cat's body telling you?
Chocolate and sugar-free candy with xylitol are an emergency for a dog. Keep the candy bowl out of reach.
Read more: What's toxic to dogs?
Where the dates come from: Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, ASPCA. Pet Obesity Awareness Day, Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Global Cat Day, Alley Cat Allies. National Cat Day, nationalcatday.com. The dates were read on these pages on 3 October 2026.