How To Throw A Puptastic Birthday Party For Your Dog

Throw the party of the century to celebrate another year with your furry best friend!  Here are some ideas to spoil your dog and have a lot of fun celebrating their birthday in style!

While a backyard is ideal for a doggie birthday party, finding a spot outside in a public park can work too. Provide plenty of water bowls and poop bags for guests. Maybe even think about giving out a cute poop bag dispenser as a party favor!  To create a real party atmosphere, dog themed napkins, party cups and banners are easy to come by and instead of balloons that might pop and frighten sensitive pups, consider providing bubbles with a bubble machine using a simple and safe mixture of dishwashing liquid (like Dawn) and water which is great enrichment for dogs.

On the big day, make sure to take your dog for a nice long walk before the party so that all the excitement does not get them over-stimulated. Inviting friends and family with dogs (or without dogs), favorite dog walkers and pet sitters will truly make your dog feel special.

And of course it’s not a birthday party without cake!  While many pet retailers sell boxed cake mixes and festive baked cookies or mini cakes just for your dog, it is easy enough to bake your own culinary creation with simple dog friendly ingredients such as eggs, carrots and peanut butter (xylitol free!), bananas, and oats. Savory recipes can include cooked ground beef, veggies and rice.  The internet has a variety of sweet and savory recipes, or you can always serve their favorite food in the shape of a dog bone or with a fun topping of pure pumpkin puree or unsweetened apple sauce as they will enjoy that too! Another delicious and dog friendly option are frozen pupsicles that you can make with an ice tray and chicken broth or even get fancy with plain yogurt and blueberries.  Who wouldn’t want a tasty frozen treat on a hot day?

With a lot of dogs in one place, you WILL want to be mindful not to serve food that is not good for your dog or their guests. 

Food to avoid include:

  • Chocolate
  • Raw bread or yeast dough
  • Grapes/raisins
  • Avocado
  • Cooked chicken or beef bones
  • Stone fruits – particularly the pits inside (like cherries, plums, peaches, apricots)
  •  Nuts (like walnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts in particular)
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Xylitol – an artificial sweetner found in protein bars, chewing gum, some peanut butters, human vitamins and some baked goods.

As an FYI, the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 is an important resource in an emergency when a dog has ingested something they shouldn’t.

Wondering what to give your dog for their birthday? Here are some ideas:

  • Dog treats
  • Personalized dog blankets, dog beds, collars or bandanas 
  • Size and age-appropriate toys

#caninehumanbond, #dogbirthday, #dogenrichment

Naomi Soffa is a certified Veterinary Assistant as well as a University of Washington-certified Animal Behaviorist.  She is a longtime volunteer at several animal shelters and rescue organizations around the San Francisco Bay Area. Naomi is also the proud mom of a rescue pet and avid animal lover.

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Throw the party of the century to celebrate another year with your furry best friend!  Here are some ideas to spoil your dog and have a lot of fun celebrating their birthday in style!

While a backyard is ideal for a doggie birthday party, finding a spot outside in a public park can work too. Provide plenty of water bowls and poop bags for guests. Maybe even think about giving out a cute poop bag dispenser as a party favor!  To create a real party atmosphere, dog themed napkins, party cups and banners are easy to come by and instead of balloons that might pop and frighten sensitive pups, consider providing bubbles with a bubble machine using a simple and safe mixture of dishwashing liquid (like Dawn) and water which is great enrichment for dogs.

On the big day, make sure to take your dog for a nice long walk before the party so that all the excitement does not get them over-stimulated. Inviting friends and family with dogs (or without dogs), favorite dog walkers and pet sitters will truly make your dog feel special.

And of course it’s not a birthday party without cake!  While many pet retailers sell boxed cake mixes and festive baked cookies or mini cakes just for your dog, it is easy enough to bake your own culinary creation with simple dog friendly ingredients such as eggs, carrots and peanut butter (xylitol free!), bananas, and oats. Savory recipes can include cooked ground beef, veggies and rice.  The internet has a variety of sweet and savory recipes, or you can always serve their favorite food in the shape of a dog bone or with a fun topping of pure pumpkin puree or unsweetened apple sauce as they will enjoy that too! Another delicious and dog friendly option are frozen pupsicles that you can make with an ice tray and chicken broth or even get fancy with plain yogurt and blueberries.  Who wouldn’t want a tasty frozen treat on a hot day?

With a lot of dogs in one place, you WILL want to be mindful not to serve food that is not good for your dog or their guests. 

Food to avoid include:

  • Chocolate
  • Raw bread or yeast dough
  • Grapes/raisins
  • Avocado
  • Cooked chicken or beef bones
  • Stone fruits – particularly the pits inside (like cherries, plums, peaches, apricots)
  •  Nuts (like walnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts in particular)
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Xylitol – an artificial sweetner found in protein bars, chewing gum, some peanut butters, human vitamins and some baked goods.

As an FYI, the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 is an important resource in an emergency when a dog has ingested something they shouldn’t.

Wondering what to give your dog for their birthday? Here are some ideas:

  • Dog treats
  • Personalized dog blankets, dog beds, collars or bandanas 
  • Size and age-appropriate toys

#caninehumanbond, #dogbirthday, #dogenrichment

Naomi Soffa is a certified Veterinary Assistant as well as a University of Washington-certified Animal Behaviorist.  She is a longtime volunteer at several animal shelters and rescue organizations around the San Francisco Bay Area. Naomi is also the proud mom of a rescue pet and avid animal lover.

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