Your dog may not know the meaning of the word “birthday” but that doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate a day of fun and attention. Here are some dog birthday party and gift ideas to celebrate your dog’s special day.
Contents:
- Birthday gift ideas for dogs
- How to plan a dog birthday party
- Other birthday celebration ideas for dogs
- Dog birthday FAQs
Dog birthday gift ideas
Dog toys
Toys are an easy gift to buy for your dog and a good one. There are balls and frisbees for energetic dogs to chase, plush toys for sleepy dogs to cuddle, tough toys for chewers to gnaw on, and interactive toys for dogs with active minds. There are so many different types of dog toys available you won’t have any trouble finding one that suits your dog’s play styles from Petbarn.
Whether you get a birthday-themed toy or something less specific, your dog will love having a new toy to play with.
Dog treats
According to your dog, there is no such thing as too many treats. Birthdays provide a fantastic excuse to buy your dog some new treats. Splurge and buy the premium treats they don’t often get to eat or stock up on a bunch of their favourites.
A new dog collar, harness, or lead
In your dog’s mind, this might be the canine equivalent of receiving socks and underwear as a gift. But these functional gifts are useful, especially if your dog has outgrown their old collar or harness.
Plus, it’s more than just a harness or collar: it’s an item that will allow you to safely go on adventures outdoors and enjoy fun experiences together.
A new dog bed
Another functional gift that seems boring but is rather useful. Spoil your dog with a nice, new soft bed. This is a great gift idea for older dogs who are starting to spend more time sleeping than playing.
How to plan a birthday party for your dog
Puppy parties are as much fun for your four-legged fur kids as birthday parties are for human children. And they require the same level of organisation and planning.
Step 1: Decide on a theme (optional)
Planning a party around a theme adds to the fun. Pick a theme like superheroes, cottagecore, the seasons, or whatever creative idea you can come up with. Plan your decorations, food, and events around this theme. Turn it into a dress-up party and ask your guests to dress their dogs up in theme-appropriate outfits or costumes.
Step 2: Decide on a location, date, and time
An enclosed space is the best place to host a dog party. You want the dogs to be able to run and play off-leash safely, which is best done in a fenced area. Decide if you’ll host the party in your backyard or venture to an enclosed public space like a dog park.
If you’re planning a party in a public space, remember to be considerate of other patrons who might want to visit the area while you host your dog’s party.
Step 3: Invite the pack
A party isn’t complete without guests. Invite your dog’s best four-legged friends and their owners to join the celebrations.
Step 4: Find decorations
Decorate your party area with dog-safe decorations. When arranging the decorations, keep anything your dog or their guests might like to chew out of reach.
Step 5: Prepare some dog-safe party food
A dog party means dog party food! Have a range of dog-safe foods available to use as treats. Don’t forget the humans would like some snacks too.
Step 6: Prepare a dog-safe birthday cake
A birthday cake is a must-have for any birthday celebration, but your traditional cake contains ingredients that are not safe for dogs to eat. Make sure you source a cake that is safe for dogs.
At Petbarn, you can find dog-safe birthday biscuits or cake mixes to bake yourself.
Step 7: Plan some party games (and don’t forget the prizes!)
Some games you could play with your canine guests and their owners include:
- Scavenger hunt – hide delicious treats around the backyard and let the dogs search for them.
- Simon Says – Simon says but with basic commands like “sit”. The last dog standing wins.
- Agility course – Set up an obstacle course for the dogs to complete. Fastest wins.
- Musical chairs – Arrange some pillows in a circle and get owners to ask their dogs to sit on or near them when the music stops. The last pair standing wins.
Step 8: Make some doggy bags for the guests to take home
If you think back to the parties you attended as a child, one of the most exciting things about them was the goodie bag full of sweets and simple toys that you got to take home. These party favours are easy to make and will be appreciated by your human and canine guests.
Fill some small bags with bite size dog treats and small toys like tennis balls or soft toys to hand out as your guests leave.
Other ways to celebrate your dog’s birthday
If your dog doesn’t get along with other dogs or you’d prefer some one-on-one time with your four-legged best friend, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate their birthday.
A sniffari
A sniffari is a sniff safari – where your dog gets to experience a range of interesting new smells. Go to a new dog park or new beach, somewhere they haven’t been before, and let them sniff to their heart’s content.
An outing to their favourite place
Does your dog have a location they love but don’t get to visit very often? Why not spend the day there on their birthday?
An exciting new adventure
Has your dog ever gone bush walking? Have they ever had the chance to play in the waves and dig in the sand? A new experience is a wonderful way for a dog to spend their day.
A holiday away
Why limit the celebrations to a single way? Go on a birthday getaway with your dog. Take them to a campsite or holiday house that allows pets.
Frequently asked questions about dog birthdays
What if you don’t know your dog’s birthday?
If you don’t know your dog’s birthday, there are two things you could do:
- Celebrate your dog’s “gotcha” day – the day they came into your life.
- Pick a date – the exact date isn’t as important as the celebration. You can estimate their birth date, but any date will work.
How do you let your dog know it’s their birthday?
It’s unlikely that a dog understands the concept of a birthday the way we do. But they’ll still love the fun that comes with being showered with gifts, games, and loving attention.