It’s little wonder that events especially catered to these paw-some pals has risen in popularity. Surveys state that 57% of Americans will buy their dog a birthday gift, while a 40% will go all out for a pet birthday party. Whether it's a Gotcha Day celebration, training graduation, or just a fun gathering of furry friends, organizing a dog-friendly party requires precise planning.
So, we’ve rounded up the essential to-dos to ensure a tail-wagging good time for pooches and humans alike.
Location is Everything
Getting outdoors is always a winning option for active four-legged friends. The more space your dog and their guests have to run around, sniff and nap, the happier the overall mood will be. Check out the dog-friendly natural spaces in your area and choose one based on your party references. Some great location ideas include:
- Your own backyard
- A public park
- A beach or lake
- A dog water park or pool
- Nature trails
Image source by Unsplash
Bone Appetit
Feast your eyes on these easy-to-make delicious recipes for a mouthwatering doggie menu. Before you make any of these for your furry guests, check with their owners for any food allergies. On the day, ensure that there are enough clean water bowls to wash down (or wash off!) these munch-worthy morsels.
Canine Cookies
These healthy applesauce cookies are made without preservatives and can be kept in a sealed refrigerated container for up to 5 days after baking. A silicone mold can be used for the batter in any shape you choose.
Image & recipe source by Spoiled Hounds
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked oats
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 mashed ripe banana
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Pulse the oats in a food processor to create flour.
- Place the flour and baking soda in a large bowl. Stir or whisk to combine.
- Place the applesauce, banana, egg, and coconut oil in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine well.
- Spoon the batter into a silicone mold.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the baked treats to a wire rack and cool them to room temperature.
Let Them Eat Carrot Cake
There isn’t anything more wholesome than watching a bunch of dogs happily demolish a cake. This method from Recipe Tin Eats is a modified, pup-tested version of carrot cake – perfect for spoiling your beloved pet and their friends.
Image & recipe source by Recipe Tin Eats
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup peanut butter spread
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 1/2 cups shredded carrot (2 large)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking soda
Frosting
- 600-700g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F (160C fan).
- Grease and line the base of 2 x 20cm/8" cake pans.
- Whisk together eggs, peanut butter, oil, honey and milk.
- Stir in carrots. Then add flour and baking soda, stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide batter between the cake pans, spread and smooth surface.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool on racks.
Frosting
- Boil, steam or microwave potatoes until very soft.
- Whip potato and yoghurt with an electric beater until fluffy and smooth as possible
- Use water as needed to loosen frosting to a spreadable consistency. Use while warm, it "sets" when it cools.
- Spread 1/4 frosting on one cake.
- Top with other cake. Frost tops and sides with remaining frosting, reserving some to pipe decorations if desired (3/4 cup frosting).
Raise the Ruff!
Unleash the fun with these dog-friendly games and activities to keep your canine guests entertained. We also recommend having an area of the party where dogs can chill out and rest to avoid overstimulation.
Agility Course
For the more athletically inclined guests, an agility course is the ideal activity to shine and show off, while having the best time. A simple agility course can be set up with a few household items. You could include:
- Jumps: Adjustable hurdles or jumps for leaping over
- Tunnels: Collapsible tunnels to crawl through
- Weave Poles: Upright poles for the dogs to weave in and out of
Remember to keep tasty treats on standby for the very good boys and girls who complete the course!
Image source by 24 Pet Watch
Water Park
If the weather is warm, it’s time to break out the splash mats, sprinklers and inflatables for a refreshingly amazing water park. Setting up a foldable or inflatable pool is easy, just make sure your canine pals have trimmed their nails. If the weather is on the chillier side, fill the pools with tennis balls or squeaky toys for another awesome way to keep your doggie guests happy.
Image source by Unsplash
Play Stations
You can set out a few activities that dogs and their owners can try throughout the party. These could include:
- Dog-safe bubble blowers
- Photo booths with props
- Sensory toys
- Lick mats
Image Source: Just For Your Dog
Throwing a party for your dog is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their companionship and share the joy with fellow pet lovers. By making sure they have everything they need for a fun-filled day, you can bask in the atmosphere of super happy canines. Get the party hats ready and celebrate your furry friend in style!
