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NATIONAL SMALL DOG DAY

4 min. read
February 20, 2025 10:32 pm CST

NATIONAL SMALL DOG DAY

The last Thursday in February is National Small Dog Day and specifically dedicated to celebrating the small dogs in the pack, their mighty personalities, and the huge impact they have on our lives. Join us as we highlight the endearing and unique attributes and distinct traits of small dogs.

#NationalSmallDogDay

We love small dogs because they are adorably cute and make the best cuddle buddies. It's no wonder we fall in love with them at first glance. Small dogs have unique attributes and bring their owners endless joy, whether they are showing off two-footed dance moves, confidently protecting their homes, or curling up in a warm lap. National Small Dog Day celebrates everything there is to love about small dogs and aims to educate humans on the importance of providing nutrition that supports their specific needs.

Dogs that weigh 20 pounds or less fall under the small dog or toy dog breed category. Small dogs have different needs than larger dogs and providing your small dog with the proper nutrition is one of the most important things you can do. When choosing food for your small dogs, look for:

  1. Nutrient dense food to help support their faster metabolism and longer life spans.

  2. Food with higher antioxidant levels to support their immune systems.

  3. Protein-rich meals to support strong muscles.

  4. Smaller kibble to ensure it fits into their mouths.

  5. Wet food encourages selective eaters to engage with their bowl.

5 NATIONAL SMALL DOG DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS

  1. Learn about the different types of small dog breeds.

  2. If you’re already the owner of a beloved dog, take the extra time to make your dog’s day. Repay that unconditional love with creative tokens of dog-gone appreciation.

  3. Get your dog the toy they've been wanting and visit the dog park to play with you pup!

  4. Mix up your small dog’s mealtime. We recommend trying Beneful IncrediBites Paté Wet Small Dog Food With Farm-Raised Chicken by Purina!

  5. Small dog owners are invited to join the celebration on social media by posting pics of their favorite pint-sized pups with the hashtag #SmallDogDay and tagging @beneful.

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL SMALL DOG DAY

National Small Dog Day was submitted by Purina Beneful and approved by the Registrar at National Day Calendar to be celebrated the last Thursday in February. Join Beneful and National Day Calendar as we celebrate everything there is to love about small dogs and educate owners on the importance of meeting the unique nutritional needs of small dogs.

About the Founder

Purina Beneful, a part of Nestlé Purina PetCare, creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.

Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.

For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news. To learn more about Beneful, go to purina.com/beneful.