Your dog doesn't know what day it is, but you do, and it's nice to celebrate. Choosing dog birthday gifts is easier than it seems if you think about what they really enjoy: sniffing, chewing, playing with you and eating something tasty. Here are 12 useful ideas, a guide to what you can give your dog for their birthday depending on their personality, and a homemade no-bake cake made with dog-safe ingredients.
- 12 dog birthday gifts
- What to give them based on their personality
- How to celebrate your dog's birthday
- Homemade dog birthday cake
- Frequently asked questions
12 dog birthday gifts they will actually use
A dog values a challenge or a good outing more than a pretty object. These ideas work:
- An interactive feeder. It turns every meal into a little game and helps them eat more slowly. Our silicone slow feeder with bowl and 5 zones is a practical gift they will use every day.
- A stuffable toy. Made of tough rubber, to fill with their food or a little kibble paste.
- A snuffle mat. Hide a few pieces of kibble in it and let them search.
- A chew toy in the right size, one they cannot swallow.
- A new bed or a blanket all of their own. Now that the cold weather is coming, it will be appreciated.
- A new lead or collar with an up-to-date ID tag.
- A new walking route. A hill, a dog-friendly beach or a park they have never been to: hours of new smells.
- A meet-up with their dog friends in a fenced park.
- A sniffing games session. Our guide to homemade sniffing games for dogs has eight ideas you can set up with things you already have at home.
- A new trick. For many dogs, ten minutes of training with treats is the best afternoon of the week.
- A photo shoot for you, which also counts as a gift.
- A homemade cake, small and made with suitable ingredients (recipe below).
What to give your dog for their birthday, based on their personality
Not all dogs enjoy the same things. This table will help you get it right:
| Your dog is… | Ideal gift |
|---|---|
| Greedy, wolfs food down in one go | Interactive feeder or stuffable toy |
| Nervous or very active | Sniffing games and a long walk |
| A chewer | Tough chew toy in the right size |
| Older or calm | Comfortable bed and a short walk with new smells |
| A puppy | Soft chew toys and a new trick |
How to celebrate your dog's birthday without stressing them out
The party is for them, so let their personality set the tone. A few guidelines:
- Few guests. Two or three dogs that already know each other and get along are better than a big group.
- Outdoors or in a spacious area, with fresh water to hand and a quiet corner where they can retreat.
- No hats or costumes if they bother them. If they scratch, flatten their ears or freeze, take it off.
- Watch what falls on the floor. Leftover snacks, balloons and wrappers: pick them up straight away.
- Get the house ready for visitors. If friends are coming with their dogs, run a reusable pet hair remover roller over the sofa beforehand and you will have one less problem when it's over.
Homemade no-bake dog birthday cake
A small cake made with ingredients they already eat or tolerate well is enough. This version doesn't need an oven:
- A portion of their usual wet food as the base.
- Two tablespoons of cooked pumpkin or carrot, unsalted.
- A few slices of banana.
- For the topping, a tablespoon of plain yoghurt with no sugar or sweeteners, only if it agrees with them.
How to make it: press the wet food into a small mould or a glass, add a layer of pumpkin or carrot, place the banana on top and cover with the yoghurt. Leave it in the fridge for an hour, turn it out and serve it in pieces.
Never use chocolate, xylitol (found in some “sugar-free” products and certain peanut butters), grapes or raisins, onion, garlic, salt or sugar. If you have any doubts about chocolate, read what to do if your dog has eaten chocolate. And if they have allergies, are overweight or follow a special diet, check with your vet first.
The cake is part of what they eat that day: deduct it from their ration so you don't overdo the calories.
Frequently asked questions
What can I give my dog for their birthday?
What dogs enjoy most is usually a challenge for their nose or their brain: an interactive feeder, a stuffable toy or a sniffing games session. A walk somewhere new and playtime with you also count as gifts.
Can dogs eat regular birthday cake?
It's not a good idea. Cakes for people contain sugar, fat and sometimes chocolate or sweeteners such as xylitol, which are dangerous for them. A homemade version with suitable ingredients, in a small amount, is a better choice.
How should I celebrate my dog's first birthday?
With a calm plan: a special walk, a new trick to go over what they learned as a puppy and, if you like, a small homemade cake. If you invite other dogs, keep it to a few that they already know.
What should I do if I don't know when my adopted dog was born?
Celebrate the anniversary of the day they came home. If you want an approximate date of birth, your vet can estimate their age.
A birthday made for them
The best dog birthday gifts don't have to be expensive: a challenge for their nose, a new walk and some time with you. If you are looking for something that lasts, take a look at the Velia Select pet section.