Your pet reaching a birthday milestone is an event worth celebrating. But it’s more than just a fun occasion; it's a heartfelt way to honour the joy and companionship they bring into your life.
How to throw your pet a birthday party
Whether you have a playful puppy or a curious cat, throwing a birthday party for your pet can be so much fun and create lasting memories. But don’t forget they have very different needs to yours and this should be at the forefront of your party planning. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to plan a paw-some birthday party, complete with pet-friendly treats, engaging activities and pet watch-outs.
Where
When it comes to selecting a venue there are a few things you need to keep in mind. While some pets enjoy exploring new areas and discovering new smells, many feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings; somewhere they can ground themselves if things get a little bit too hectic. For this reason, it might be best to hold the party in your own home.
Depending on the time of year, your own garden would be ideal. It’s important to ensure that there’s plenty of space to run around, especially if you’re throwing a party for a dog. If the garden isn’t suitable, consider your local dog park, visit one of the Petplan Dog Adventure Parks or do a bit of research to find a dog-friendly beach nearby. Remember, the location needs to allow them plenty of opportunities for playing and exploring.
If you do choose an outdoor venue away from home, we’d suggest that you only do this for dogs as cats won’t enjoy this in the same way. Secondly, make sure that your venue is pet-friendly and pet-safe. You don’t want to go to all this trouble only to find out that your pets aren’t allowed in!
Who
Your pet’s best friends of course!
When creating the guest list, make sure to take into account your pet’s personality and don’t overwhelm them with all their furry pals in one go. And if your pet is more people-orientated, invite over just their favourite humans instead.
Depending on the species of your guests, you can tailor a pet party bag to suit. Your four-legged friends may love some tasty treats or maybe even a toy to take home with them, whilst your two-legged pals may prefer to receive a piece of (human) cake!
Food
What party is complete without a good spread of delicious party food? Though again, bear in mind that this is a party for your pets and while it’s okay to spoil them a little on special occasions, they have very different dietary needs to humans. Do not provide sweet treats that are poisonous to dogs and cats such as chocolate or grapes, and avoid harmful snacks such as chicken legs and other meat on bones. Also, take care if using things like cocktail sticks or skewers as these can be harmful if swallowed by your pet.
Instead, aim to include specifically designed cat or dog treats, though go easy on the quantity to avoid damaging their health.
Of course, no birthday is complete without a cake! While your pet won’t be able to chow down on a Victoria sponge the way we can, here’s a pup-safe recipe you can try if you’re looking to add a personal touch to the festivities.
Ingredients
- 200g oat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 banana, peeled and mashed
- Half a carrot, grated
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 250ml oat milk
- 1 potato, peeled, boiled and mashed
- Dog treats for decoration
Ingredients
- 200g oat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 banana, peeled and mashed
- Half a carrot, grated
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 250ml oat milk
- 1 potato, peeled, boiled and mashed
- Dog treats for decoration
Alternatively, there are usually a few pet-friendly cake options at the larger pet shops that your furry friend is guaranteed to love.
Remember to be careful with candles. As some pets don’t understand fire, it’s probably best to avoid this part of the tradition and opt for pet-friendly treat toppers instead.
Activities
Naturally, you’ll need plenty of toys. This is a celebration for the animals after all, so make sure that they have lots of fun. A mix of familiar feeling toys, along with some new ones, should give your pet enough choice so that they can really get the most out of their special day.
You may also want to have some exciting dog or cat party games up your sleeve. Playing regularly with your pet will help keep them stimulated, teach you about their personality and strengthen the bond between you. Just make sure not to over-stimulate your pet, and to keep it simple and fun.
Additionally, we would also recommend some mental stimulation games to ensure that their brains are getting a workout, just like their bodies. Puzzle toys are great for this kind of thing. A great example is a treat ball; a ball containing small pieces of food that your pet can roll around and work at to release the treats. This kind of mental stimulation is great for your pet and rewards them for using their brains.
If it’s summer and your pet is a fan of water you could provide a small pool to play in, or if they’re not comfortable around water, try using ball pit balls and provide a new, fun experience for them.
When to wrap it up
Make sure to keep an eye out for any signs of stress in your dog or cat during the party, and consider wrapping things up early if they’re not having fun.
Once all the fun and games are complete, and your pet has had a truly fantastic birthday party, make sure you give them time to calm down and relax. Birthday parties can be incredibly stimulating for some animals so it’s important to help them cool off afterwards.
Following these steps, you should be able to give your pet a super birthday, where they can safely celebrate turning another year older.
Remember to take plenty of photos and upload them on social media – make sure to tag us and use #PethoodStories so we can see!