Do you celebrate your dog’s birthday? Are you planning a surprise party for Gotcha Day? Maybe you just want your dog and her friends to be able to join in with your family’s Independence Day celebrations! When your pet invites friends over to observe a special event, it’s fun to send guests home with dog party favors.
Stuck on what to pass out as gifts to guests? Here are some dog party favor ideas your pup’s pals will love!
Before you scroll down this guide, “Fun Dog Party Favors,” check out: Best Dog Birthday Captions for Social Media! (2023) and Best 48 Dog Birthday Puns and Jokes! (2023).
Throwing the Ultimate Dog Party
You want the best for your dog, and there are few better ways to show your affection than by throwing a party. Dog party favors are a fun way to thank your dog’s friends for being the canine rock stars they are!
Before you host a party for your dog, you’ll need to think it through from start to finish. Party favors are just one small aspect of your get-together. Please be sure to pup-proof your home and yard before you invite canine companions over for a play date.
Provide plenty of water, and keep bowls of food out of reach. Your dog — and others — may get territorial around their kibble, so it’s best to keep it out of sight.
If your dog’s party will be held outdoors, make sure there’s available shade. Even a seemingly cool spring day can be too hot for dogs, especially in direct sunlight and when your dog is running around playing with her friends.
Ask your human guests about their dogs’ allergies and avoid foods containing allergens. Soy, wheat, and certain types of proteins may trigger an allergic reaction in some dogs. Be mindful of the ingredients in your dog party favor ideas, too.
Finally, teach your kids how to interact with animals. In particular, set some ground rules for how to approach dogs they’re not familiar with. This will help avoid injury to kids and pups — plus, it’s simply good knowledge for your kids to have.
Puppy Pool Party
When the weather gets hot, your pup will appreciate a pool party. This may be a just-for-nothing celebration, or you may be celebrating Memorial Day or some other holiday. You don’t really need a reason to have fun in the sun with your furry friend.
If you have an in-ground pool, great. If not, you can still set your backyard up with kiddie pools, sprinklers, and more. Keep a shady spot handy for dogs to relax as they dry off, and keep plenty of water handy for those thirsty little dogs.
When it’s time for everyone to leave, send them home with a dog party favor bag. Include a squeaky toy like this CoubonTail product. It floats, so your guest can take the action home with him. Prefer a toy with no squeaker? Try the ChuckIt! Paraflight. This soft disc is appropriate for pups of all sizes and ages, as it’s flexible and easy on your dog’s teeth.
Consider adding some dog treats to your pup’s pouch, like these Blue Buffalo natural soft snacks. Wrap it all up in a dog-print hand towel for your guest’s parents to enjoy!
Doggy Birthday Party
Every dog has his day, and some of those days are birthdays. Why not make the most of it by celebrating with friends? You can make the party — and the DIY dog birthday party favors can be as generic or themed as you’d like!
Is your pup reaching his third birthday? Well, that’s 21 in dog years! Plan a booze-themed birthday and include some chicken, beef, or pork-flavored beer, made especially for dogs. Bowser Beer is one great product to try.
Does your dog have a flair for the dramatic? Host a dress-up birthday party for her! She and her friends can wear their red carpet best to the party, then you can send everyone home with a keepsake of their own. These butterfly wings are adorable and affordable. For a more rugged look, why not gift everyone a cowboy costume set so they can create their own adventures?
Ice Cream Party
Make no mistake about it: dogs love ice cream. Unfortunately, milk products can make your pup feel a bit unwell. So if you’re thinking of hosting an ice cream party for your dog, you’ll need to find a brand with a recipe created specifically for canine critters.
While just a lick of your cone is probably fine, you’ll want to stick with something like Puppy Scoops, which is created by freezing water. If you’d rather not worry about making ice cream yourself, pup-friendly ice cream brands are available at stores like Walmart and Target.
Want to go the extra mile for your fur baby? Serve cake with your ice cream! PetCakes makes a fantastic product that’s yummy and easy on your dog’s tummy. It’s a full cake mix kit — it even includes the pan — that is 100 percent safe for dogs.
Looking for dog party favor ideas for an ice cream party? You’ll be happy to learn that DIY doggy ice cream is giftable! Puppy Cake has a sampler pack that can be distributed among furry friends when it’s time to go home.
Gotcha Day Party
Bringing your dog home from the breeder or the shelter is super exciting for both you and them. It’s natural to want to celebrate. We recommend you give your little one a bit of time to adjust to her new surroundings before you invite playmates into her space.
Once your dog is acclimated to her surroundings, introduce them to the neighborhood pups. You can set up a photo shoot, go to the local dog park, bring your friends to the shore, or just stay home with some dog-friendly cookies.
No matter what you decide to do, be sure you’re watching your pup’s body language. If she is showing signs of overstimulation, it’s best to crate her for a while so she can regain her bearings. Don’t worry — her puppy friends will understand.
When it’s time for new friends to go home, send them off with a Gotcha Day dog party favor or two. These goody bags are perfect for small treats, toys, and other puppy swag. Don’t forget to sing Happy Gotcha Day!
Doggy Spa Day
Do you want to really pamper your pet and his buddies? Plan a spa day for your dog. You can be as elaborate or as low-key as you like. Larger groups of dogs may love just brushing and a few moments of spoiling. Smaller gatherings offer the perfect opportunity to give your dog and his friends a bath, nail trim, and even a haircut.
Get plenty of good shampoo ahead of time. The We Love Doodles lavender and chamomile blend will condition and detangle your pup’s hair and will rinse super easily, making dog washes a breeze. Grab a quality slicker brush and a grooming kit, then it’s time to get started.
Begin your party with a quick walk around the block to exercise and stretch your pup’s muscles. Then head home for a puppy massage and a nice warm bath. Blow dry your dogs, trim their nails, and reward them for their cooperation with a few carrot sticks or apple slices!
Struggling to decide on a dog party favor for your guests? Check out these fun “Light Me When the Dog Farts” candles. They’re safe to burn around your pup, just keep it out of reach when lit! If you’d rather stick to non-flammable gifts, check out these bath brushes that are perfect for pups of all sizes.
Dog Park Date
If there’s a dog park in your area, why not ask your pup’s guests to meet you there? Some dog parks sport thrilling obstacle courses, others have beach access, and others are little more than wide open spaces where your dog is permitted to play off-leash.
You don’t need a special occasion to host a playdate at a dog park. However, it may be fun to choose a theme for your visit anyway. Think of dog party favor ideas to fit the theme, and pass them out to thank your guests for joining you.
American flag bandanas are perfect party favors for an Independence Day celebration at the park. Paw print keepsake ornament kits are a wonderful gift if you celebrate Christmas. Portable, dog-accessible water dispensers are great for any occasion.
Use your imagination — the sky’s the limit! No matter your interest or your dog’s favorite activity, you can plan a spectacular get-together in a dog park. Bonus: other than with a pooper scooper, there’s very little cleanup necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular goodie-bag gifts for a dog include healthy treats, a ball (ideally with a dog-safe hole in the middle), or wearable accessories depending on the time of year or specific occasion.
Apples and carrots can be excellent dog-safe treats that aren’t too high in calories, protein, or fat. That said, it is always important to ask guests about their dogs’ potential food intolerances.
It’s a good idea to bring a gift to any party unless the host has explicitly asked for no gifts. You can bring something for the dog, the owner, or both!
Conclusion for “Fun Dog Party Favors”
You don’t need a special occasion to celebrate your dog. Invite your friends and their fur babies over to hang out or observe a special holiday. Plan a safe, fun day for your dog and her buddies, then send your guests home with a treat to commemorate the occasion.
Fun dog party favor ideas don’t have to be expensive or complicated. Some unique treats, a bandana, a sweet toy, or a pet-friendly candle will be all you need to make your guests — both human and canine — feel appreciated and welcome.
If you find this guide, “Fun Dog Party Favors,” helpful, check out:
- The 6 Best Funny Dog Movies! (2023)
- 6 Fun Games to Play With Your Poodle! (2023)
- 22 Funny Smiling Dog Memes! (2023)
Learn more by watching “Dog Birthday Party Ideas: 3 Easy Ways to Celebrate Your Dog’s Birthday” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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