Your dog’s birthday is coming up. And just like their two-legged siblings, they deserve a special treat on their special day. Here are ten ways to make your dog’s birthday a memorable one.
1. Throw a Pooch Party.
Doggie birthday parties are fun – whether they’re indoors or outdoors. Play games, eat cake and give away doggie bags filled with treats and goodies. What’s not to love?
Ensure that the dogs have fresh water and supervised at all times.
2. Let Him Pick His Present.
Our dogs are spoiled every day. But, birthdays are extra special. This is the perfect occasion for visiting the pet shop. Let him sniff all those goofy tennis balls, plush toys and challenging Kongs to pick his own present.
3. Make Homemade Cake and Treats for your Dog’s Birthday.
We all know that dogs are not allowed to eat cake. But, they can still enjoy the star of the buffet if you make one from scratch. Carrots, bananas, peanut butter and liver are all safe for dogs. They make an excellent canine cake base – topped with cream cheese icing!
Don’t feel like baking an entire cake? That’s okay. Try making cupcakes and decorate them with his favorite treats. There are plenty of dog-friendly recipes online that you can easily follow if you’re in a baking mood.
Human ice cream is another birthday staple that dogs cannot have. But, here’s the good news: it’s easy to whip up dog-safe ice cream at home! You probably already have these ingredients in your pantry.
Throw some banana slices into the blender along with plain yogurt and creamy peanut butter. Give it a spin until creamy then freeze overnight. You can also make pooch-approved popsicles with one basic ingredient – chicken broth. Simply pour the broth into a popsicle mold or ice tray and freeze.
4. Pamper on His on Her Birthday.
If you don’t want to host a pooch party, you can celebrate your dog’s birthday with some TLC.
Take your pooch to the doggie spa for a relaxing massage. You can also go to your favorite doggie store and treat him to some awesome desserts. Then, take her on an extra-long walk. And finally, spend some cuddle time on the couch.
5. Explore a New Trail.
If your dog loves the outdoors, what better way to spend his birthday than to explore new surroundings.
Skip the old park and find a new hiking trail in the woods. Afterward, hop in the car and ride to the countryside.
Let him sniff exciting new smells to make the trip more fun.
6. Invite the Entire Squad.
Another way to make your dog’s birthday special is setting up a doggie playdate. Invite his best pals over for a day of snacks and sniffing.
Put out plenty of water and serve dog-friendly treats if the other pet parents are fine with it. Portioned dog meals, sliced baby carrots and frozen bananas are healthy snacks that dogs of all sizes and breeds are sure to enjoy.
Always keep an eye on the gang while they are playing. You never know when a pooch throws a tantrum and plays party pooper.
7. Game Day!
Celebrating your dog’s birthday can still be fun even if you have no space for a party. Get the kids together and turn your pup’s special day into Game Day! You can play in your backyard, at the park or by the beach. Some of the all-time favorites include:
- Fetch
- Frisbee
- Hide and seek
- Tug
- Kong stuffing
- Chase the prey
- Agility course
- Water games
- Find the treat/cat
8. Take Your Dog for a Swim.
If your dog loves the water, then turn his birthday into Swim Day! Find a dog-friendly lake in your area or drive down to the local beach. Take a swim, hop on a surfboard or run around the sand. There are so many activities you can enjoy on the water.
Remember to keep an eye on your dog at all times and follow safety rules for canine swimming. Ensure that he has access to fresh water and clean up after getting out of the water.
9. Set Up a Photo Booth.
No birthday party is complete without pictures. Set up your own photo booth, create different backdrops, grab some props and strike a paws!
Your dog may hate dressing up so snap that photo quickly before he wiggles out of frame.
Upload your shots to Instagram or Facebook so you can share your memories with your friends.
10. Don’t Forget Paw-ty Favors for Guests.
After a fun day of snacks and games, no one leaves without a loot bag. Throw in a chew toy or rubber ball. Add a handful of dog jerky or bone-shaped treats. You can also include some on-the-go treats for the humans to thank them for celebrating with you.
Celebrating your dog’s birthday is also a great opportunity to introduce basic training techniques. Ask our professional trainer at Positive Paws how you can help dogs practice obeying commands during play. Call Kimberly Gracner today at 636 352 3104 to book an appointment.
