Everyone loves an excuse to party, and what better reason than to celebrate your dog! It can be for their birthday, their birthday or just because. To help you be the most barktastic host, we’ve got some tips for planning the perfect party for your pooch.
Who’s on the guest list?
First things first: does your dog really like other dogs (and people)? A party without guests can be a bit boring, but there’s no point in hosting one if your dog spends all his time hiding under the table. A private party may be the best idea for shy or antisocial dogs.
If your dog is a social butterfly, make sure he’s met everyone on the guest list (and ideally, they’ve all met each other) to avoid any anti-social party fouls. You should also make sure everyone is up to date on their vaccinations and that all pet owners bring a leash with them in case there is a canine mess.
What’s a party without snacks?
A pack of partying pooches will work up an appetite pretty quickly, so dog snacks are a must—and their humans will likely get a little peckish, too. When you send out the invitations, ask if any guests have food allergies or sensitivities (humans too). This will help you plan your menu. Make sure you don’t serve anything toxic to dogs, including food you’ve prepared for the pet’s parents (in case a cheeky dog drags something on the table).
If you’re partying outside, you can serve safe summer snacks like frozen banana slices, watermelon wedges (no seeds or rind), and small pineapple chunks (not the core). Or you can make pupsicles for a special treat that will also keep dogs cool. If you’re hosting a fancy foray, you can create your own barkcuterie board.
Remember that you will need plenty of water bowls and be sure to keep checking to see if they need refilling. It’s important for dogs to stay hydrated, and if you’re having a pool party, pool water isn’t the answer, due to the chlorine and other chemicals it contains.
Location, location, location
If you’re planning an outdoor party, make sure it’s in a fenced-in area with plenty of shade and has a designated bathroom. If it’s indoors, make sure it’s in a defined area that’s dog-friendly and safe. No matter where you choose to hold your event, make sure it’s escape-proof so you’re not chasing a group of horny runaways instead of enjoying the party.
Plan a puppy pool-ooza
A pool party is a great choice for a hot summer day. Dogs can splash around and their parents can also relax by the pool (when they’re not handing out barkaritas to canine guests).
If there are dogs that can’t swim or have difficulty swimming due to age or medical condition, make sure they wear life jackets. All dogs should have a way to easily get in and out of the pool – they shouldn’t be forced to jump. If the birthday party is for your 15-year-old dog and his elderly friends, a kiddie pool that’s easy to get in and out of and doesn’t require swimming may be the best idea.
Dogs usually only swim for about 10-30 minutes at a time, so make sure you have rest areas and other activities available to them. If you want to stick with the water theme, you can install sprinklers for them to play.
When pool time is over, hose the puppies down with clean water before they come home. Rinsing with water for at least 20 seconds will remove chlorine and other pool chemicals and help prevent dogs from getting dry, itchy skin.
Throw a Pawty Birthday
What’s cuter than a group of dogs wearing party hats? It’s true, nothing. You can help your dog celebrate another trip around the sun by inviting her best friends over for cake and games. A pinata made specifically for dogs can be a fun idea and a nice surprise when it pops. And don’t forget the party favors – like a food bowl with treats and favorite toys.
The themes for a dog’s birthday party are endless – tennis balls hanging from the ceiling, birthday banners shaped like bones, or pictures of hot dogs all over the place. If you decide to brighten up the party space with decorations, make sure dogs can’t reach them or, if they can, that they don’t present a choking or obstruction hazard.
Gather for a Gotcha Day party
If you adopted your dog, you may not know when his birthday is. So, instead of a birthday party, you can throw them a Gotcha Day party on the birthday you brought them home. A good idea is to collect supplies or donations for the shelter your dog is from (instead of gifts for your dog), so they can celebrate the day as well.
You can also party with furry friends
If you know kids who are big fans of all things pets, you might want to see if your local animal shelter hosts kids’ parties. Vetstreet explains that this growing trend gives children a fun place to party and is an additional source of income for the shelter. Each shelter has its own party program, but it may include a behind-the-scenes tour, learning about pet care, doing pet-related crafts, or playing with some of the pets that need of a hearth. Who knows, maybe a lucky pet will be adopted because of the party.
As your guests leave, you’ll find that a dog party ends the same way a human party does – with lots of mess to clean up, food crumbs everywhere, and poop poop. But it’s really worth it!
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