Plush Animal Lovers Day 2025: 10 Cozy Ways to Celebrate (+ Best Plush Gifts)

If your home already hums with the soft thwump of paws and the squeak-squeak of a favorite plush, this soft toy holiday is your Super Bowl. Plush Animal Lovers Day 2025 (often called Stuffed Animal Day) lands on October 28, and it’s the perfect excuse to let your pets pounce, cuddle, and parade their plush “besties” around the living room like trophy carrots.

What is Plush Animal Lovers Day, and why celebrate?

Plush Animal Lovers Day is a light-hearted celebration of all things cuddly – from childhood keepsakes to the plush toys your dog or cat guards like dragon treasure. The exact history of Plush Animal Lovers Day is fuzzy (appropriately!), but most sources agree that the origins are unclear and likely grew from teddy-bear fandoms and collector culture. In short: it’s a joyful day to honor comfort, play, and nostalgia – fur, fluff, and all.

10 Ways to Make Plush Animal Lovers Day 2025 Fun for Your Pets

1. Plush parade at home: Let your dog or cat “choose their team” from a basket of plush animal gifts and strut through the house. Narrate like a sports caster; award treats for the funniest carry.

2. Sniff & seek: Hide a small plush under a blanket fort and let your pet nose it out. Add a dab of catnip or a treat crumb trail.

3. Photo booth: Drape a throw, set your phone on burst mode, and capture mid-pounce shots. Post with #PlushAnimalLoversDay and #StuffedAnimalDay.

4. The cuddle switch: Rotate toys to keep novelty high; stash older plush for two weeks, then reintroduce (instant “new toy” magic).

5. Storytime stack: Kids read to pets + plush. Short, soothing voices help nervous pets settle – and the photos are priceless.

6. DIY plush spa: Surface clean toys, trim loose threads, and sun-dry to refresh. (Machine wash only if the tag allows, and squeakers are removable.)

7. Office “soft desk”: Bring a tiny plush mascot to your home office; let your pet pop in during breaks for a cuddle cameo.

8. Plush + puzzle: Pair a favorite plush with a slow-feeder or scatter feeding so play and foraging happen on some days.

9. Seasonal swap: Rotate themes (pumpkin pals, winter penguins) to match the month and take festive pics.

10. Give back: Run a mini drive for clean, safe plush (or new ones) for shelters and children’s wards. Pets can “help” by supervising the pile.

Best plush animals to gift in 2025

For dogs

• KONG Comfort Jumbo Bird: Oversized, crinkly wings + sturdy squeaker = big-dog bliss and nap-worthy cuddles. Great for gentle to moderate play and photo ops.

• KONG Comfort Highland Cow: Shaggy plush, floppy hair, crinkle hooves, and squeakers; a multi-sensory cuddle buddy that looks adorable in fall photos.

• GoDog Green Tugs Monkey: Squeaky plush built tougher with Chew Guard tech for tug-happy pups who still crave something soft.

• Multipet Loofa Dog: Long, squeaky crowd-pleaser that works for fetch, cuddle, and light chew across breeds and sizes.

• Spot Axolotl: Squeaky plush head + floppy, stuffing-free body; ideal for smaller dogs and indoor zoomies.

• KFC-themed Plushes: Crinkles + squeakers with hilarious fast-food flair. Perfect for photo-friendly play parties.

• KONG Holiday Snuzzles Penguin: Low-stuffing, high squeak, all cuddle; rotate in for winter-themed snaps.

For cats

• Plush Cat Toys Collection: Catnip mice, kickers, and soft play toys curated for batting, bunny-kicks, and cuddle resets.

• Ethical Tie Dye Plush: Soft, colorful plush with catnip, feathers, and bell – great for stalk-pounce-bat sequences.

• Spot American Take-Out: Cute “take-out” designs that keep indoor play fresh without added noise; perfect for stealth pouncers.

• Petstages Purr Pillow Kitty: Touch-activated plush that gently purrs for two minutes; soothing for kittens, new adoptees, and seniors.

Want more inspo for your whiskered sidekick? After you pick a plush or two, hop over to our quick guide – What Toys Do Cats Enjoy Playing With? – for pounce-worthy ideas (kickers, catnip, wand play) that pair perfectly with soft, snuggly plush time.

Tip for gifting: Check tag guidance (washability), size relative to your pet’s mouth, and intended play level (cuddle vs. tug). If your dog is a power-chewer, mix plush with tougher chew toys for balance.

Let the Plush Food Come In!

Plush Animal Lovers Day 2025 is your invitation to slow down, toss a squeaky penguin, and let your pet invent new games with their favorite “soft friend.” Whether you’re staging a plush parade or gifting a new cuddle buddy, the joy is in the wiggle-butts, whisker-twitches, and evening pile-ups on the couch. (Psst: It’s on October 28 – mark it!).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Plush Animal Lovers Day, and why celebrate?

Ans: It’s an annual, feel-good observance dedicated to plush and stuffed animals – celebrating comfort, nostalgia, and playful bonding. Pets love the textures and squeaks; humans love the memories and photos. It’s simple, wholesome fun for homes with paws and hearts.

Q2: When is Plush Animal Lovers Day 2025?

Ans: Plush Animal Lovers Day is celebrated every year on October 28. In 2025, that’s a Tuesday – perfect for weeknight cuddles, a quick photo session, and a surprise plush gift for your favorite four-legged friend.

Q3: Is it the same as Stuffed Animal Day?

Ans: Many people use “Stuffed Animal Day” interchangeably, and most guides treat the soft toy holiday similarly – spotlighting plush companions of all kinds, not just teddy bears. The vibe: celebrate softness, play, and comfort, however your household defines it.

Q4: How to celebrate Plush Animal Lovers Day 2025 with pets?

Ans: Host a plush parade, hide-and-seek sniff game, or seasonal photo shoot. Refresh toys, rotate favorites, and add one new plush matched to your pet’s play style (squeaky, crinkly, or silent). Keep sessions short, supervised, and fun.

Q5: What makes a plush toy safe for my dog or cat?

Ans: Choose the right size, reinforced seams, and the sound profile your pet enjoys. Avoid frayed toys; retire damaged ones promptly. Follow care tags for cleaning to maintain squeakers, crinkles, and shape over time.

Q6: What are the best plush animals to gift right now?

Ans: For dogs: KONG Comfort series, Loofa, GoDog Monkey, Axolotl, or seasonal penguin. For cats: catnip plush, Tie Dye plush, or the calming Purr Pillow. Pick textures and sounds your pet naturally gravitates toward.