How to celebrate your dog's best birthday yet

We're obsessed with our dogs here. Obsessed enough to throw them a birthday party... or at least serve a few special treats for their big day! ;)

Here are some ideas to celebrate another fun-filled year with your pup.

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Dog Birthday Present Ideas

These toy recommendations come straight from fellow dog parents.

• KONG toys (loved by @kosmotheweimaraner)
• Puller ring toy (favorite of @dogmommentality and @paws.andreflect)
• GUCHO Penguin chew toy (recommended by @thegoodfloof)
• Squishy Face Studio flirt pole (loved by @handlersandhumans)
• Barkbox subscription (suggested by @mighty_tiny_rescues)

We've also put together a longer gift guide for pets and their people here! (We promise the recs stand up yearound.)

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DIY Dog Birthday Cake Recipe

We asked Diva and Bohemond's mom, Cleopatra (‍@winston.diva.bohem) for a few of her spoiled Greyhounds' favorite things. Here's what she had to say about a special birthday cake recipe you can make for your own pup! Diva's a saucy brindle, Bohemond a cuddle enthusiast—and they both love this special treat.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 lb lean ground pork
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup veggies (Cleopatra likes to use an organic frozen mix)
• 3/4 cup shredded cheese
• 1 egg
• A few peeled, chopped, and boiled potatoes (these will become the cake's "frosting")

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grease a cake pan. You can use just about any size if you adjust the baking time—Diva and Bohemond's mom uses two of the smallest pans she has.
• Combine all of the above ingredients except potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
• Press the mixture evenly into your prepared pan(s).
• Bake for 45 minutes to one hour, or until completely cooked.
• While your "cake" is baking, place your cooked potatoes into a potato ricer or mash by hand.
• When your cake is done and has cooled slightly—but is still warm—"frost" it with your potatoes.
• Decorate as desired with other dog-friendly treats!

Refrigerate any leftovers and use within a few days for best quality.

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Premade Birthday Dog Treats

Don't have time for DIY? We totally understand. (I'm with you most of the time.) Here are some ready-to-eat celebratory treats you can get ahead of time!

• Bocce's Bakery Birthday Biscuits
• Canine Party Bones
• Confetti Cake Rewards

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Dog Birthday Party Prep

If your dog is a social butterfly, their birthday could be the perfect time to bring friends together—both human and canine. Here are some tips to help your celebration go smoothly! You can read more advice about bringing your dog to a get-together or gathering in this piece.

• Adjust to your individual dog. Not every pup wants to be surrounded by other people and pets. And that's okay! Only host a dog birthday party if you're confident both you and your companion will enjoy it. (Alternative ideas: A long sniffy walk, extra rounds of your dog's favorite games, and a quiet treat or two at home.)
• Coordinate with fellow dog parents ahead of time to make sure the pups present will be good playmates.
• As dogs arrive, consider doing introductions one-on-one to take off the pressure of a new pup entering an existing group. Even if pets have played together before, hanging out in a new environment can change the dynamics.
• The larger the space, the better. Sometimes dogs can feel trapped in social interactions if there isn't enough room to move naturally.
• Don't be afraid to use baby gates or other barriers to your advantage to create the perfect party space.
• Keep any human food away from curious noses and paws.