Your pet is an important family member, and celebrating their birthday can be fun and exciting for you and your four-legged friend. Our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team knows how much you appreciate your pet, and we offer suggestions to help you safely acknowledge your pet’s special day.

#1: Give your pet the perfect gift

No birthday party is complete without presents. Consider these gift ideas:

  • Canine birthday gifts — Give your dog a present they will love. Some gift suggestions for your dog include:
  • Comfy bed — Every dog loves a comfortable place to rest, and a cozy dog bed is a perfect gift to ensure your furry pal gets their beauty sleep.
  • Glow-in-the-dark fetch toy — If your dog never tires of playing fetch, give them a glow-in-the-dark fetch toy, so you can continue the fun after the sun goes down.
  • Snazzy collar — Every dog likes a little bling to set them apart from the other mutts. Give your dog a new collar to help them accessorize with style.
  • Food puzzle toy — Mealtimes can be boring, but a food puzzle toy encourages your dog to use their noggin before they can chow down, making their eating experience more interesting.
  • Feline birthday gifts — Give your cat a present they will love. Some gift suggestions for your cat include:
  • Window perch — Cats enjoy watching birds and small animals in the yard. Give your cat a window perch, so they always have the perfect view. You can also install a bird feeder near their perch to help ensure they have a really interesting show.
  • Laser pointer — Chasing a red dot is extremely entertaining for cats, and is also excellent exercise for your feline friend. Let your cat “catch” the light once in a while to satisfy their prey drive.
  • Cat shelves — Cats love to survey their environment from an elevated position. Install shelving throughout your home to provide plenty of vertical space.
  • Water fountain — Most cats don’t drink enough water, but they are enthralled with running water. A water fountain will entertain your cat, and entice them to drink more.

#2: Throw your pet a birthday party

If your pet is the social type, invite their pet friends for a party. Pet-themed decorations make your home more festive, and your guests will have fun wearing party hats. Other pet-friendly party tips include:

  • Supervise — Pets can become overly excited when playing, so ensure all pets are supervised during the party.
  • Safe room — Designate a safe-zone room. If your pet or a guest becomes upset or stressed, ensure they have a quiet place to go in which they can take a moment to calm down.
  • Party attire — If your pet or their friends don’t want to wear their party hat, don’t force the issue. A happy birthday bandana is another good option.
  • Party treats — Send your guests home with favor bags that include yummy treats and small pet-friendly toys. 

#3: Bake your pet a birthday cake

Everyone needs cake and ice cream on their birthday, and your pet is no exception. You can easily whip up a pet-friendly birthday cake with ingredients such as whole-wheat flour, baking soda, eggs, and applesauce or baby food. Top your pet’s birthday cake with xylitol-free peanut butter, and your furry pal will be as pleased as punch. Because many pets cannot tolerate lactose, do not give your four-legged friend real ice cream. A great alternative is blended bananas, and xylitol-free plain yogurt and peanut butter. Pop the treat in the freezer overnight, and serve your pet and their friends this frozen concoction at the party. 

#4: Take your pet’s birthday portrait

You will want a picture to commemorate your pet’s special day. Hire a local pet photographer or have a friend snap pics of your four-legged friend enjoying their birthday party. To get the perfect pictures, follow these tips:

  • Keep the photo session short — Pets easily become bored. To avoid frustrating your pet, keep photo sessions to about five minutes.
  • Turn off the flash — The flash may startle your pet. Use natural light to get a flattering image.
  • Get your pet’s attention — Snap your fingers or use a favorite toy to get your pet to look at the camera.
  • Reward your pet — Give your pet a high-value treat to reward them for being such a good model.

#5: Take your pet on a special birthday outing

If your pet gets excited when you grab their leash, a special birthday outing is the perfect birthday present. Drive to the country, or find a new walking route near your home, so your pet can enjoy new sights, sounds, and smells. Let your pet sniff and investigate the area to their heart’s content.

#6: Try a new sport with your pet

Your pet’s birthday is a great time to try a new adventure. A sporting activity is a great way to bond with your pet, and as an added perk, helps keep your furry pal fit and healthy. Pets’ sport options include:

  • Agility training — Teamwork between you and your pet is an important agility training aspect. This sport involves training your pet to jump, crawl through tunnels, and navigate obstacles. 
  • Disc dogs — During a disc dog competition, you and your pet are judged in disc throwing events, including distance, catching accuracy, and freestyle routines.
  • Dock diving — Dock diving is a sporting competition during which pets jump from a dock into water, attempting to achieve a specific distance or leap height.
  • Lure coursing — Lure coursing is a fast-paced sport during which pets chase an artificial lure across a field to achieve the fastest time.

By following our tips to acknowledge your pet’s special day, you can celebrate your furry pal’s birthday safely. Contact our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team to schedule your pet’s annual wellness examination to ensure they are in tip-top shape for their birthday celebration.