The months of July and August are often known as the ‘dog days of summer’, bringing in longer, warmer and sunnier days for you to throw the paw-fect puppy party.
Global searches for ‘dog birthday parties ideas’ have jumped up 350% in the last 3 months, and a recent study found that 57% of pet owners said they spoil their pets “24/7,” with many cherishing the priceless moments like celebrating their pet’s birthday with a birthday bash (44%).
And so, the party product experts over at Aura Print have given us their bone-afied step by step guide to celebrating your canine companions.
Step One: Choosing the right venue
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden big enough for all your furry friends to run around, there are a few things to consider. You’ll want to make sure the perimeter is escape-proof, remove any tools and equipment, and make sure there’s access to plenty of water and shade.
If not, then dog friendly parks, beaches and cafes can also make for great alternatives, and there’s plenty of them dotted around the UK. Consider how many guests you’ll be inviting, both human and animal, and make sure the space is big and secure enough to accommodate. Find a secure dog park near you, here.
Step Two: Picking the menu
Arguably the most exciting aspect of any puppy party, is the treats!
Some bakeries and pet stores will provide treats perfect for the occasion, however when in doubt, homemade is always better. Take a look online and you’ll find a ton of recipes, and take a look at the ingredients to make sure they’re good for the dogs. Plenty of human-themed doggy treats have made their way onto our TikTok feeds this year, and we just can’t get enough:
Puppuccinos: 154.5 million TikTok views
Pupcakes: 12.1 million TikTok views
Pupcorn: 718.7k TikTok views
Paw Pops: 14.4k TikTok views
Find further information on the foods that dogs can and can’t have here. Bone appetit!
Step Three: Setting up activities
Dogs love to socialise and play together, so why not bring a few activities into the mix. From frozen lick mats, tug of war or even a mini swimming pool, there’s plenty of options to keep the guests of honour entertained.
A trick contest is also a great way for the humans to get involved and show off their dogs best skills, letting the winning pup win a special prize.
If the puppy party is being thrown to celebrate a special occasion such as their birthdays, you can even take it up a notch by paying a professional groomer to provide some puppy pampering or massages.
Step Four: Set up a photo spot
Photo opps of your puppy party will give you memories to look back on forever, and who doesn’t love showing their pup off on Instagram? Add some props and a special backdrop to make your pics even more double-tap worthy. In fact, over 282k people have used the hashtag #puppyparty to show off their special days on the platform.
Step Five: Don’t Forget The Humans
Whilst the puppies are undoubtedly the real stars of the party, you can’t forget about your fellow human guests. Consider dog-themed treats, such as mini hot dogs, ‘furrito bowls’ and ‘paw-tato chips’. For drinks, there are several beers with dog-themed names, and plenty of dog-related songs for the playlist, too.
And finally, you don’t want to send your guests home empty-pawed, so a little goodie bag with a thank you note, assorted pic n mix treats, and an extra toy goes a long way.
