Do you know when your dog’s birthday is? If you got your four-legged friend from a breeder or maybe adopted him from a friend or neighbor whose pet had puppies, you might know the precise date. If you adopted your canine companion from a shelter, mark your calendars for August 1st, which is DOGust, the official shelter dog birthday. That’s when all of the rescued puppies celebrate their big day! No matter when you make your pawprint on the calendar, there are some really charming and entertaining things you can do to keep that tail wagging. Continue reading for some excellent doggy birthday ideas from a Galloway, OH veterinarian.
What Should I Get Fido For His Birthday?
If you asked Fido what he wanted, toys would likely be at the top of the list. Man’s Best Friend still appreciates basic simple toys like rope pulls and plushies, but there are many innovative options available as well.
Automated Ball Launcher: Does your canine companion enjoy chasing tennis balls? With these devices, Fido may keep himself entertained for hours. You’ll also be entertained by watching pets play with these, which is very charming. Just be sure to obtain the correct size. Big dogs can choke on balls intended for smaller dogs.
Snuffle Mats: These are a great option for many dogs since they give amusement, stimulus, and treats! Just choose strong ones.
Chew Toys: Chewing is actually good for Fido. It strengthens his muscles, removes plaque and tartar from his teeth, and increases the flow of saliva. For puppies, this also relieves the pain of teething. The trick is to get safe, appropriate toys. Rawhide, for example, might be problematic for some dogs because it can break into little pieces, posing choking concerns. Check with your veterinarian on this.
Puzzle Toys: You can also buy toys made so that Fido needs to retrieve his prize out of a hole. There are some very cute variations on this! Your canine companion can retrieve donuts from a box, chipmunks from a log, or aliens from a spaceship.
Stuffies: Many of our canine companions love stuffed animals! However, there are a few caveats. Some puppies become very enthusiastic about these, ripping the stuffing and squeaker out and attempting to eat them. Needless to say, you don’t want your dog to swallow this stuff. Get durable toys and keep an eye on Fido while he plays with them.
Smart Toys: As technology has advanced in recent years, Fido’s friends in the tech sector have made sure that his toys have kept up. You can get your pooch smart balls that react to his movements or laser pointers that trigger at specific times.
Fun Fountain: Do you have a yard for your dog to play in? Get Fido a kiddie pool or a fountain to keep him cool on hot summer days.
GPS Tags: Fido may not be thrilled about this one, but we definitely are. These are another excellent tool for keeping tabs on your canine companion. This is ideal for folks who have dogs who are prone to escaping. You’ll want to do some homework before buying these. There are various ones available, but they differ slightly in terms of battery life, range, technology employed, and, of course, cost. You may also use Air Tags or anything similar.
Paw Buttons: You may have seen these online. This is certainly an unexpected discovery in the ever-increasing range of dog goods. Essentially, they are pads that you may program with certain words like ‘Walk’, ‘Treat’, or ‘Toy.’ You will then teach Fido how to communicate by stepping on the pad. Some dogs actually pick this up quite well! (One pup had a bit of an existential crisis, but that’s another topic.)
New Bed: Is Fido’s present dog bed worn down to a few lumpy pieces of padding? This is an excellent opportunity for a new one!
Subscription Boxes: This is an excellent solution for dogs who go through toys quicker than you can replace them. Every month, Fido will receive his own box of treats in the mail.
How Old is My Dog?
This frequently puzzles people. A lot of people believe that one year of Fido’s life is about equal to seven human years. This may have come about when people compared the average human lifetime (70) to that of a pup (10). However, that is not the case.
As a common rule of thumb, Fido’s super cute first year is roughly similar to fifteen human years. That second year is about equivalent to nine human years, bringing your dog to around 34 in people time. After that, every year of Fido’s age ranges from three to five human years.
That isn’t a hard-and-fast chart, though. Keep in mind that big dogs mature faster than little dogs do. A Saint Bernard can officially be a senior at the age of eight. However, a Pomeranian may not reach their golden years until they are ten!
The AKC has a solid guide on this available on their website. That said, you should always consult with your Galloway, OH veterinarian regarding your dog’s aging timeline.
How Can I Celebrate My Dog’s Birthday?
Dogs, like humans, have individual tastes. Your main job here is to just choose something your pup will enjoy! There are no limits here; you can keep it simple and give your dog a new toy or special treat. Alternatively, you can go all out and have a complete party.
All dogs will welcome having more snuggles and playtime with their owners! Spend extra time with Fido! Here are some other ‘pawsible’ alternatives.
Hiking: Try using a trail finder app to discover a new location for you and Fido to explore. Simply put your pet’s safety first! If your pooch isn’t athletic enough for a strenuous hike, opt for something else instead.
Dinner: There are many dog-friendly eateries and delis. There are even dog-friendly establishments! Find a nice neighborhood eatery and treat your canine buddy to a special dinner.
Drive-Thru: You can always take Fido through the drive-through. Many restaurants have special secret menus for Man’s Best Friend. Starbucks, for example, offers a puppuccino.
Shopping: Is your pup well-behaved in public? Take him to the toy store and let him choose his own toy. It might be very lovely to observe how happy and proud Fido is when carrying his new toy.
Puppy Playdates: You can also host a puppy party and invite Fido’s friends. Just keep in mind that these activities will not be appropriate for all dogs. This might not be the best choice if your pet is afraid or aggressive around other pooches. Dogs with impaired immune systems may not be suitable for playdates. Contact your Galloway, OH veterinarian for additional information.
No matter what you choose, be sure to take some adorable pictures of your furry bestie. You can’t have too many cute pet photos!
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