7+ Paw-Some Dog Party Ideas You (& Your Pup) will Obsess Over
These adorable dog party ideas are for the dog parents who love spoiling their four-legged friend! 🐶 Whether it’s your pup’s birthday, gotcha day, or just a random celebration (no judgment, I do that too), throwing a dog party is a great way to show your pup some love.
Here’s a super simple guide to hosting an unforgettable dog party for pups and humans alike!🎉
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My family got our first dog, Sparky, when he was just 8 weeks old. We celebrated every birthday and milestone with him for 16 years, and those dog parties still hold a special place in my heart.
I adopted my sweet Pittie mix, Leo, in 2021 and decided to continue the birthday traditions with my own pup. I’ll admit, Leo’s paw-ties are pretty *extra* (my guests can attest). But there’s something about celebrating dogs that makes me go over the top.
It’s cliche to say, but dogs are way more than just pets. They’re family.
If you love spoiling your pup as much as I do, this blog post is for you. Think of me as your dog party consultant. After years of dog party planning, I’ve curated the ultimate step-by-step guide to make your dog party celebrations ones to remember!
From dog party decorations to dog party invitations and even themes and treats, I’m covering it all! And don’t stress about a big shopping trip. Almost every recommended product is from Amazon, so you can get your goodies shipped directly to your door in a matter of days.
Here’s everything you need to plan your own dog party like a pro!
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Choose a Dog Party Theme
Before you make any birthday purchases, start the party planning process by selecting a central theme or color palette. This will help guide your party planning decisions for all the following steps.
Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
Adorable Dog Party Themes
If themes aren’t your thing, stick to a central color palette instead. This is actually the first year I’m choosing a theme for Leo’s birthday party. In years past, I chose 3 to 4 colors (1 primary color, 1 secondary color, and 1-2 accent colors) and planned my entire party around that color palette.
Here’s an example of the color palette I chose for Leo’s 2nd birthday party. I used dark blue as the primary color, light blue as the secondary color, and orange and gray as the accents.
From there, I designed all the decorations, table settings, birthday cake, and costumes around that color scheme. This took all the guesswork out of party planning and made design decisions 10x easier.
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The Ultimate Party Planning Checklist
Choose a Dog-Friendly Venue
Once you select your theme or color palette, it’s time to find the venue. This step is super important because the party needs to accommodate both humans and dogs. Depending on your guest list, you may need extra space to run around or a private area to host dog-selective guests.
At the very least, your venue should offer a place to rest and socialize, access to shade (if you’re hosting outdoors), and fresh water to keep your guests hydrated and happy.
I usually host my dog parties at my parent’s house because it has a fenced-in yard, countless water bowls, shady resting areas, and a large dining table for the humans to gather and eat.
If you prefer to host your event outside your home, I’d recommend a park, beach, hiking trail (for a more active party), or a local indoor dog facility (think dog aquatic centers or a dog bar) for larger groups. Just make sure to check the rules and regulations for your venue and book in advance to lock in your spot.
Create Custom Dog Party Invitations
The best way to gather your favorite pups and humans is by sending out custom dog party invitations for the occasion. I created a customizable dog party invitation template you can fill out with all your party details on Canva.
If you’re new to Canva, think of it as your personal graphic designer. It basically gives you all the tools you need to create your own graphics without the design degree. Canva is free to use, and you don’t need the premium membership to customize my party invitation template.
Creating your custom invite is a piece of cake. First, make a copy of the template by clicking the button below labeled “Get the Freebie“.👇
Free download
Dog Party Invitation Template
Then, customize the text with your dog’s name, age, event date, and venue address. You can even change the colors of the words and graphics to match your theme or color scheme. It’s that easy!
Once you’re done editing, save and download the file and choose from our recommended printing options below:
- CVS Pharmacy: You can print 5″x7″ photos in a Glossy or Matte finish for $2.99 each. The Glossy finish is usually available for same-day pick-up, while the Matte finish can take 5-9 days to print.
- Walgreens: Like CVS, Walgreens offers 5″x 7″ photos in a Glossy or Matte finish, costing $2.99 each. However, Walgreens has an edge over CVS because it offers same-day pick-up for both Glossy and Matte-finish photos.
- Canva: This is an excellent option if you need to print in bulk (at least 10 invites). I usually order my invites as 5″x7″ Invitations (Portrait) with their Premium Paper and Gloss Finish. A pack of 50 costs $50 ($1.00 per invitation), although the price escalates significantly if you buy smaller quantities. For example, purchasing 5 invitations from Canva costs $3.05 per invite, making CVS and Walgreens a more cost-effective option.
Explore Your Options
Always check for promotions at your local drugstore before printing! CVS is currently offering 40% off all photos, and Walgreens is offering 50% off all photos, dropping the price per invite from $2.99 to $1.50-$1.80 each.
Curate a Dog (and Human) Menu
No dog party is complete without treats! Before you create your menu, be sure to ask your guests if there are any dog or human allergies.
Here are some dog-safe menu ideas for your canine guests:
- Dog Cake: You can bake a peanut butter cake with yogurt frosting from scratch, skip a few steps and use a cake mix, or order a birthday cake from your local dog bakery. I’ve done it all 3 ways, and I found my dog actually prefers the homemade cake. But if you’re short on time, the cake mix option is always a crowd-pleaser!
- Fruit Treats: Use a blender to mix together plain yogurt, honey and berries, then distribute the mixture in silicone molds and freeze overnight for a delicious sweet treat.
- Doggy Meatballs: Cooked and cooled, these are a hit. All you need is oats, ground chicken, eggs, plain yogurt, and parsley. Click here for a link to the recipe!
As for the human menu, think picnic-style snacks like chips and dip, sandwiches, lemonade, iced tea, and fruit skewers for dessert. Always label the food clearly and double-check ingredients to avoid anything toxic like chocolate, grapes, or xylitol.
Once you finalize your menu, create a shopping list (click here for the link to my Ultimate Party Planning Checklists) and head to the store. Give yourself a few days to gather ingredients and make the food so you’re not scrambling the night before (trust me, I’ve been there!)
Come Prepared with Games & Activities
Keep those tails wagging with dog-friendly games and activities!
I always recommend bringing some toys to keep the dogs mentally and physically stimulated during the party. Some of my favorites are dog puzzles (my dog loves this one), snuffle mats, kongs, a ball pit, and an obstacle course.
Another easy way to keep the pups active is to create a scavenger hunt. Hide dog-friendly treats around your venue for your canine guests to find. Be sure to offer break areas and supervise all interactions to maintain a safe environment.
Finish with Dog Party Favors
Thank your canine and human guests for coming with a festive party favor! Some easy recommendations are homemade dog treats, bandanas, chew toys, and dog-themed cookies for the human guests (example below).
You can package everything in this adorable paw print bag to stay on theme!
Dog Party Inspiration: Leo’s 2nd Birthday Bash
Here’s an example of a birthday brunch I threw for Leo when he turned 2! I decorated my parent’s breakfast nook with shades of blue, orange, and gray and carried the same color scheme throughout all the design decisions.
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I ordered breakfast catering for the humans and dog-safe pastries from a local bakery for Leo and his friends. It was a huge hit!
The best part wasn’t the balloons or the treats—it was watching Leo light up as he tried his birthday cake and played in the yard with his best friends. He felt *extra* loved that day, and it made all the effort worth it!
Throwing a dog party isn’t about spending a ton of money or stressing about the details—it’s about honoring your most loyal and loving companion. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, your dog will love it.
So hang the streamers, bake the treats, and let the tails wag. Every day with your pup is worth celebrating—and with a little planning, your next dog party will be paws-itively unforgettable.
This post is all about the best dog party ideas.
