Good Ideas for Dogs' Birthdays

A dog-friendly park can become a party venue.

A dog's birthday can celebrate not only the dog's years, but also the special friendship between the dog and owner. Birthday gifts for canines range from inexpensive homemade gifts made from recycled materials to trendy jackets from pet boutiques. Some dogs enjoy receiving a new toy, while other dogs show little interest. When you plan a dog birthday party, you should consider fun, food and safety for the dogs and their human friends.

Party Planning

If you host a dog birthday party, you need to plan the location and guest list. A fenced yard with water and shade will make both canines and human guests comfortable. A dog training school or dog daycare facility may rent out space or suggest safe areas.

The guest list for this celebration should include dogs that socialize well with your dog and other dogs. Every guest dog should arrive with a human partner. Send out the invitations with a message about letting you know about any dietary needs of the dog and the human guest. For example, a dog birthday cake topped with peanut butter may cause serious reactions in a human guest who suffers from peanut allergies.

Gifts

Canine gifts can include sturdy fetch toys and soft toys. Be aware of squeaky toys that may be torn apart and possibly swallowed. Some toys challenge a dog to use puzzle-solving skills. For example, the dog has to figure out how to remove items hidden in a larger item.

An inexpensive, homemade fetch toy needs just one tennis ball and a pair of nylon hosiery or long socks. You can stuff the ball in one sock or nylon leg and then stuff the sock into the remaining sock or nylon leg. Tie a knot close to the ball plus a few more knots along the length. Please note that the ball should be large enough so it will not be a choking hazard for the dog.

The star dog may appreciate a wardrobe update. A rain jacket makes a practical and attractive gift. Perhaps an adjustable glow in the dark collar that carries identification will make the dog and owner more visible during night walks.

Games

Simple games to keep both dogs and humans active include tossing and fetching games. If you supply a few plastic disks to toss, that should reduce the number of squabbles over one disk.

You can set up a canine playground or obstacle course out of hoops and recycled cardboard boxes. A box opened out makes a passage or tunnel for the dogs. You can apply some poster paint to the exterior of each box to play up a theme. For example, illustrations of sandcastles, seashells and beach umbrellas suggest a seaside theme.

Birthday Cake

That special birthday cake may be a baked cake or a meat dish shaped like a cake. For example, you can mix and shape moist dog food to look like a dog bone. Some pet stores sell dog cake mixes for you to prepare at home.

Each guest goes home with a doggy bag of treats or a safe toy. A local dog bakery will offer a selection of dog treats. You can also prepare homemade treats, such as chips made from pureed, cooked chicken mixed with broth and wheat flour. You would shape this mixture into a long sausage, then slice and bake the chips. Ideas for toy favors include durable rubber toys that cannot be chewed apart and swallowed.

References

• Dog Birthday Parties: Welcome to My Dog Party Treats... Come On in the Kitchen and Have a "Sniff" Around!
• Dog Birthday Parties: Our Dog Party Games Are "Funtastic" for One and All!
• Gourmet Dog Treat Recipes: Dog Birthday Ideas, Make Your Dog's Birthday Special
• Pet Product Advisor: Glow-in-the-Dark Dog Collars --- How to Choose Glow-in-the-Dark Dog Collars

Resources

• Pressies 4 Dogs: Welcome to Pressies 4 Dogs --- for Dog Collars, Dog Leads and Dog Accessories