Halloween is the time of year where we can all let our hair down and be someone different for a night, but this year you could go one step further and give your best furry friend the chance to transform and celebrate too: By hosting your very own  Halloween party for dogs. This article looks at everything you’ll need to know to ensure your Dog Halloween Party is the talk of the town!

 

Where To Host Your Party

Depending on where you live and the size of your guest list, you may opt for a furry friendly party in your own home. Remember that other dogs may have different habits to yours so take the time to pet-proof keeping your things safe and the pooches out of danger.

Alternatively, you may decide to host your party in your garden or at your local dog-friendly park – both are great options if you prefer to be outdoors. Here’s a listing of dog friendly party venues

 

Invitations

If you are hosting a small Dog Halloween Party with your friends, why not get your creativity flowing and set up a little photography session with your dog, add the details of your party and share via social media with your besties.

Or if you’re having a bigger get-together with friends but you are also thinking of inviting pooches you see on your daily walk, you can also print a few invite cards and take some with you next time you walk around the block. Not only is it a great way to meet local dog owners, but it also means that there will be more dogs attending!

And if you’re opening an ‚all are welcome‘ Dog Halloween Party, think about creating an event on Facebook to get the word out

Decorations

Decorations that hang from your ceiling are a great option for a Dog Halloween Party because there’s  less chance of a curious dog in taking a bite out of them or knocking them over with their tails.

Outdoors you can use bunting and pumpkins but use caution with candles – wagging excited tails near an open flame is never a good idea.

Games & Activities

1. The Costume Parade

Let guests know in your invite that there will be a costume parade and a winner so your dog friends come dressed to impressed.

Or you could ask pets and their people to come dressed as a pair (like copy and robber, Vampires etc)

To ensure you get a winner, give each guest two votes and stipulate they cannot vote for their own dog. Provide some prizes like treats or toys for first and second place, but make sure you have plenty of treats to go round so every dog is a winner!

You can also add your own twists if you have a big event and add some extra categories, such as scariest, prettiest, sparkliest, best pet and parent combo.  And because some dogs aren’t comfortable in fancy dress outfits you can also include a category for the best accessory so every dog can be included.

2. Trick For A Treat

Place a star on the floor and have a big of treats ready, every time a doggy does a trick on the star they get a treat!

3. The Hunt

Before your guests arrive hide lots of delicious treats around your party, remember to hide them in safe locations and for small or shy dogs pet owners can join in the hunt too!

You’ll want to make sure that the treats are ‚fragrant‘ so the dogs‘ noses lead the way like hot dog bits, jerky and other meat -based treats.

4. Bone Bobbing

A personal favorite of my pooch is Bone Bobbing, she is a little ball obsessed! So we took a small 15″ wading pool and filled it with hollow tennis balls and kongs that are stuffed with cheese, peanut butter and treats,  letting the dogs bob for a ball to play with and the balls that survived the day were taking home.

5. The Spooky Booth

Just like the human version, creating a photo booth is super simple. All you need is a spooky backdrop, a range of pet appropriate props and we provided a polaroid camera too so our guests had a photo to take home and put on the fridge, not just in their phone gallery. It was a huge hit! Some dogs weren’t keen on the props but all of them loved a cuddle with their owner and pup best friends against our haunted night sky backdrop.

Food & Drink

There are two audiences here to feed: Dogs and Humans.

Humans

You can ask guests to each bring a plate to share to make it really easy.  Here’s a list of fun Halloween food ideas.

Dogs

It’s best NOT to leave treats out on a table throughout the party, because it’s too distracting for many dogs, and could cause aggression. Instead have times throughout the party where treats are offered. It’s also preferable that you give each pet parent the treat and let that person give their pup the food.

It goes without saying to stay clear of human food especially chocolate and candy as many are harmful to dogs and the wrappers are a pesky hazard too. Instead, you can find a great range of healthy and organic treat options online or at your local grocery store.

If you want to have a go at baking a dog safe cake, why not make it with pumpkin? It’s definitely seasonal and pumpkin is so good for dogs. 

Water

Make sure you have lots of bowls out with water. Some dogs don’t like to share a bowl with another dog so having different places where they can take a slurp is a good idea to stop any bar fights!

Party Favors And Parting Gifts

All dogs are winners in our eyes and therefore they all deserve a doggy bag to take home. There are tons of cute goodie bag options on Etsy.

Here are some ideas of things you could include:

– Dog treats
– Halloween Toys
– A ball
– A photo from the photobooth
– A Halloween bandana
– A Halloween collar pendant

And that concludes our ideas, tips, and recommendations on hosting a pawtastic Halloween party for dogs. We are sure you and your furry, and non-furry, friends will have a hauntingly great time!

Jerky is a great snack for your dog, and given in moderation, it can be a healthy snack, however most jerky made for human consumption includes added salt, preservatives, and spices which can be dangerous for our pups. So we decided to take on the challenge to find healthy AND delicious recipes for dog jerky!

We tried and tested a range of recipes and here are 3 of our favorite ways of how to make jerky for dogs.

1. Homemade Beef Jerky

This recipe was so simple because it only included one ingredient, not only that but I am lucky to have an organic butcher nearby who actually sold the beef, organ, and bones mix preblended. Whilst you can use ground beef, using organs is really good for your dogs because it gives them a wide range of vitamins and nutrients. You can store for 3 weeks in the cupboard or longer if you keep refrigerated. This recipe is from What Great Grandma Ate

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 hours

Ingredients
1 lb mix of ground beef & organ meat & bones (Can use only ground beef)

Instructions
1.Preheat your oven 130 degrees
2.Place the meat on parchment paper, and using a rolling pin flatten the meat to approx. 1/8 inch thick.
3.Use a knife to score into squares so you can break them later into pieces.
4.Place on a baking sheet, and dry in the oven for approx. 8 hours.
5.Remove from the oven and drain any fat.
6.Break into pieces along the lines, then place them on a rack back in the oven above fresh parchment paper.
7.Cook for a further 4-5 hours.

2. Fish Jerky Treats

I wasn’t too sure about this one as the salmon was cooking, my kitchen took on a fishy smell that infiltrated throughout the house. But my dog LOVED them! She is a fan of fish anyway, but she never took her eyes off the oven door for 3 hours. When they finally cooled she was drooling and lapped them up, fish is great for dogs being high in omega 3 and protein so we have included it for any fish fanatics out there! This recipe is from The Daily Puppy

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 2-3 hours

Ingredients Salmon or tuna steaks

Instructions
1.Place your fish steaks in the freezer and freeze until nearly frozen.
2.Remove from the freezer and slice them into strips approx. 1/8-inch-thick, 1 inch wide and 3 inches long.
3.Line your tray with aluminum foil, before adding the rack – makes for a quick clean up.
4.Dry your strips with paper towels and place on the tray.
5.Cook at 180 degrees with the door open an inch for circulation.
6.Cook 2-3 hours, checking the consistency is stiff.
Store at room temperature for 3 weeks, or keep in the fridge if planning to keep longer than that.

No Time To Cook?

The Dog Bakery make really yummy jerky that’s ready to go 

✔️ 100% Sourced & Made in the USA

✔️ Three Day Air Dried Then Slow Baked

✔️ Absolutely Nothing Artificial (seriously!)

Check it out here.

 

3. Chicken Jerky

This recipe was a bit different to some other chicken jerky I have made before because it included some dog-friendly spices. This made it super tasty and it smelt delicious. It needs to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge but it made a lot of jerky and had no added salt or sugar. This recipe is from Proud Dog Mom

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 2-3 hours

Ingredients

• 1 pound of chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Optional dog-approved pices: Turmeric, and ginger (grounded)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 250ºF
2. Grease your wire rack with the oil and place the parchment paper underneath.
3. Remove all the fat from your chicken breasts.
4. Slice your chicken 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick.
5. (Optional) Sprinkle with dog-approved spices.
6. Place your chicken on the rack and place in the oven.
7. Cook 2-3 hours, checking the consistency is stiff and then flip them over.
8. Cook for a further 45 minutes.
9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Conclusion

And there you have three of our favorites, so whether your dog prefers fish, beef or chicken there is a
recipe for dog jerky that he or she can enjoy and you can be assured that there will be no added preservatives or ingredients that are bad for them. Bear in mind that drying out the meat will take a  few hours but prep time is low so you can get on with your day while the meat is toughening.

And the best thing is that your pooch will love it!

Healthy Jerky Choices –  Made In USA

 

Does your dog love cake? What about chicken?  How about a combination of cake and chicken? To the human palette that might not sound so amazing but to a doggo, well, they’d be in heaven. Here’s 5 chicken cake recipes to choose from

#1: Carrot Chicken Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup of flour

1 tsp of baking powder

350g of minced chicken

4 eggscup of grated carrot

1 cup of oatmeal

1 cup of corn oil

For icing:

Low sugar yogurt or peanut butter

Directions:

• First preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour the tin
• Make a puree of the minced chicken in a food processor or blender along with corn oil and eggs
• Add the carrots to meat mixture and blend everything perfectly until they are mixed.
• In another mixing bowl, take the flour and baking powder and stir them well with the oatmeal
• Pour the blended mixture to the flour mixture and slowly stir them well
• Once everything is properly stirred and mixed, pour this mixture to the cake tin
• Now, you have to bake for about 50 to 60 minutes
• Once done, take the cake out and let it cool for about 30 minutes,Spread the yogurt or peanut butter as the icing on top of the cake.

 

#2: Chicken & Bacon Puppy Cake

Ingredients for cake:

3 cups of whole wheat flour

3 strips of bacon

5-6 beaten eggs

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1 cup of buttercup of corn oil

2 jars of chicken baby food

2 cups of finely grated carrots

For icing:

Plain yogurt (no added sugar)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degree Fahrenheit
• Grease and flour the cake pan properly
• Fry the bacon until it is crispy
• In a bowl, whisk the baking powder and flour together
• Take another bowl to beat the butter until it is smooth and add the corn oil and eggs in it.Stir the chicken baby food and the grated carrots properly
• You have to add the flour mixture now and then mix it thoroughly to get a smooth texture
• Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake it for 60 minutes
• Let it cool for sometimes and then start spreading yogurt over the cake for icing
• If your pup loves bacon as well as chicken, then this cake can be the ideal one for him/her. Who doesn’t like to have a cake with chicken flavor and crispy bacon in it? Well, all dogs will love it.

No Time To Bake?

 The Dog Bakery makes dog birthday cakes in a few different shapes and colors available in wheat free or grain free! Check them out! 

#3: Sweet Potato Chicken Cake

Ingredients for the cake:

1 egg, beaten

1 pound of ground or minced chicken

2 large diced sweet potatoes

4 sliced hot dogs

For icing:

Sweet potato puree

Directions:

• You have to preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit
• Take out the cake pan and grease it well
• Take a bowl and combine the hot dogs, beaten eggs and minced chicken
• Mix them well and then transfer to the cake pan
• Spread the mixture properly in the pan
• Now put into the baking oven and let it bake
• Once done, take the cake out and allow it to cool down
• Spread the sweet potato puree over it.

If your dog is a fan of sweet potato, then this dog cake recipe with chicken is the ideal one. You must try it on the coming birthday.

#4: Coconut Chicken Cake

Ingredients for cake:

2 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoon of honey

1/4 pound of minced chicken

1 and a half cups of coconut flour

3 tablespoon of coconut oil (melted)

For icing

cup of yogurt

Blueberries

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit
• Now mix the eggs, honey and coconut oil together.Grease the cake pan properly
• Mix the flour and minced chicken well along with the egg, honey and oil mixture
• Once everything is blended properly, put them in the cake pan
• Now, let it bake for about 20 to 25 minutes
• Take the cake out, let it cool
• Spread the yogurt as icing and top it with some blueberries

Note: Make sure that your dog is okay with the coconut taste before baking this.

#5: Pumpkin Chicken Cake

Ingredients for cake

1 cup of pumpkin puree

1 cup of oat flour

2 tablespoons of honey

1 pound of minced chicken

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp of baking powder

For icing:

Peanut butter

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit
• Now mix the pumpkin puree, minced chicken, honey and egg together.Then you have stir in the baking powder as well as the flour
• Take out the cake pan and grease it well.
• Now pour the batter into the pan
• Bake it for about 20 to 25 minutes
• Now, take out the cake and let it cool for sometime
• Apply the peanut butter over the cake as icing

Conclusion

So, these are some of the best dog cake recipe with chicken that you can try at home. Definitely if you want to make your dog’s birthday memorable and fun to him, this is the best way.

No Time To Bake?

The Dog Bakery makes dog birthday cakes in a few different shapes and colors available in wheat free or grain free! Check them out! 

If you own a dog, you’ll probably have noticed that just like humans, dogs can also have moments where they just don’t feel very well. And the older your dog is, the more your dog will probably suffer from some of the many aging ailments. However, recent studies have shown how cannabidiol, or CBD, can help relieve many of your dog’s physical woes. First, and foremost, CBD is one of the chemical compounds extracted from the cannabis plant. Second, unlike other psychotropic compounds like THC that are extracted from cannabis, CBD is non-psychotropic, and consumption will not result in a high sensation.

Continuing research has shown the immense health benefits of using CBD as a supplement for various ailments. Likewise, the benefits of CBD have been demonstrated to also be effective for dogs. Since the original CBD research in 2013, multiple canine CBD products in different forms such as oils, chews, and treats have entered the market. Here are a few of the top reasons to administer CBD to your dog.  

Arthritis

Life expectancy differs in dogs by breed. For most dogs, by age 10, a dog would be just reaching middle age. And just like humans, aging in dogs comes with a whole host of physical ailments. One of the ailments that affect older dogs includes arthritis. Fortunately, the arthritic pain in dogs is one of the most well-researched topics, and CBD for dogs with arthritic pain is probably one of the best treatments.

Seizures

Seizures are most common in dogs with epilepsy. Unfortunately, canine medical treatment of seizures often causes adverse side effects, such as nausea. Recent studies have suggested that canine seizures can be alleviated with the use of CBD oil. These should not be confused with an isolate, which will have much higher concentrations of cannabidiol. CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD available and comes in a crystalline, powdered form. It is often too strong and concentrated to be used safely on pets.

Pain Management

Using CBD to manage your dog’s pain is a personal decision that depends on multiple factors such as the legality of CBD in your state, the extent of your dog’s pain, and the type and size of your dog. According to some veterinarians, all of these factors will affect the correct dosage given to your pet. Because CBD research for pets is still ongoing, it is best to talk to your veterinarian to formulate a customized dose right for your dog. In general, you want to start with the lowest dosage possible with an observation time frame before attempting to increase the dosage.

Nausea

If your dog is throwing up, using a natural treatment such as CBD may help ease your dog’s discomfort. There may be many reasons why your dog is throwing up, including pregnancy, eating excess food, intestinal worms, or inflammation. CBD oils can help combat your dog’s nausea. Confirm with your dog’s medical professional on the proper dosage and start from the smallest dosage recommended. It is also important to find out the root cause of your dog’s nausea.

Anxiety and Stress

Just like their human friends, dogs can get stressed and feel anxious for any number of reasons. Some common signs of stress include:

• Showing the whites of their eyes
• Showing the gums of their teeth
• Barking, growling, or groaning in an unfocused manner
• Displaying excessive licking
• Showing shaking or shivering
• Shredding an abnormal amount of hair
• Having constantly tensed muscles 

If your dog is showing these symptoms, CBD oils have been shown to be very effective at calming your dog down. As with all CBD treatments on dogs, start with the lowest dosage as recommended by your animal care specialist.

Back Pain

CBD oil has been shown to be effective at treating your dog’s back pain by decreasing the intensity of nerve pain. During the past few years, CBD has been becoming the preferred natural method of managing pain caused by osteoporosis, back injuries, or tumors growing along the back. Unfortunately, since your dog cannot tell you where the pain is, consultation with a veterinarian is the best way to get a diagnosis before starting any treatment with CBD.

Cancer

For canine pet owners, one of the most prevalent diseases that could affect your dog is a malignant tumor growth commonly known as cancer.  Unfortunately, cancer is currently the leading cause of death for middle age and older dogs. With one in three older dogs expected to get cancer at some point in their life, it is best to be prepared. As with humans, the most common treatment for dogs with cancer is chemotherapy. Some forms of cancer may require surgery and radiation. Extreme cases of cancer may require amputation of the affected limb. These treatments are serious and can cause your dog a considerable amount of pain.

This is where CBD oil comes in. CBD has been shown to have considerable benefits as a treatment for tumor cells. Not only can CBD help alleviate some of the pain associated with cancer treatments, but recent research has also shown that it might be effective at halting the growth of cancerous cells by reinforcing cell death, or apoptosis, upon the tumor cells. While there is still no cure for cancer, CBD oils are a possible treatment.

Just as CBD has helped many humans deal with pain and certain ailments, similar benefits have also been seen when used with dogs to combat certain health and medical issues. With more and more dog owners and animal care specialists interested in the health benefits of CBD, options and research have become more widely available. If you are interested in using CBD on your dog, speak to your animal care specialist first to learn more. Make sure you find the proper dosage customized to your dog’s specific breed, take into account the size and weight of your dog, and above all, start with the lowest dosage possible before working up.

To learn more about this new holistic oil that’s exploding in popularity, visit our recommended brand Cannanine.

If you’re looking to get some other yummy treats for your dog, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at our various bakery treats that we have available.

It’s summer, and the heat is unbearable for both humans and pups. Your dog needs a frozen dog treat to beat the heat! We’ve got you covered! We scoured the internet to find the top 9 easy pupsicle recipes that are a major hit with all four-legged furries.

1. Cantaloupe Pupsicle

The Cantaloupe Pupsicle is the easiest pupsicle to make. It is so simple that even if you have never entered the kitchen in your life, you will still be able to make it. However, it tastes fantastic, and your pooch will love you for it.

Ingredients

– About two cups of frozen cantaloupe

– Two tablespoons of unsweetened yogurt

Directions

– Remove seeds and skin from the melon. Next, cut the fruit into big chunks, spread these chunks on a baking sheet or a full plate, and leave them to freeze in the freezer.

– Melon pieces take about 2-3 hours to freeze completely.

– Take out about two cups of frozen melon pieces and put them in a blender. Add about two tablespoons of unsweetened yogurt to the blender and blend nicely.

– You can either serve this cantaloupe and yogurt mix to your dog as ice cream or leave it in the freezer to make a yummy pupsicle.

2. Apple Honey Pupsicle

Before you start questioning the goodness of this recipe, know that dogs can eat honey, but only in small quantities. Apple Honey Pupsicles are one of the healthiest popsicles for dogs.

Ingredients

– About 300 grams of low-fat yogurt

– A one-third cup of apple sauce

– Two tablespoons of peanut butter

– Two tablespoons of honey

Directions

– Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

– Pour the mixture in popsicle molds and leave to freeze for about 4-5 hours.

3. Blueberry Pupsicles

Here is a dog treat that is both healthy and yummy. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and are high in fiber. They are as good for your dog’s health as they are for you. Try this blueberry pUpsicle recipe to keep your dog happy and healthy this summer.

Ingredients

– Half a cup of blueberries

– Half a cup of plain or unsweetened yogurt

Directions

– Take half a cup of blueberries and puree them using a blender.

– To this blueberry puree, add half a cup of plain or unsweetened yogurt. Blend again using a blender.

– Pour this mixture into block molds and leave to freeze until solid.

 

4. Frozen Banana Pupsicles

Vets often suggest feeding bananas to dogs. Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C and are right for your pet’s digestive system. Here’s a simple frozen banana pupsicle recipe you can use to get bananas inside your dog’s tummy.

Ingredients

– One banana

– One and a half cup of diced watermelon

– One cup of freshly cut pineapple pieces

Directions

– Cut watermelon and pineapple into big chunks and puree them using a blender. Set aside.

– Slice the banana into pieces and spread these pieces on a cookie sheet.

– Layer each banana piece with about two tablespoons of watermelon and pineapple puree.

– Leave to freeze for four hours.

5. Chicken Pupsicle

This list is incomplete without the mention of Chicken pupsicles. Try this simple recipe to make chicken pupsicles at home.

Ingredients

– One cup chicken stock

– Half a cup of water

– About 50 grams of finely chopped chicken meat

Directions

– Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Make sure you are using low-sodium chicken stock as too much salt isn’t good for your dog’s health.

– Pour this mixture into a popsicle mold. You can use a carrot stick as the pupsicle stick.

– Leave in the freezer for a couple of hours. Serve when completely frozen.

6. Strawberry Yogurt Pupsicles

Much like blueberries, strawberries are also full of antioxidants and are a good source of fiber. Strawberries also contain an enzyme that is good for dogs‘ teeth. Try this recipe to make yummy strawberry pupsicles in only a few minutes.

Ingredients

– Half a cup of strawberries

– Half a cup of unsweetened yogurt

Directions

– Properly wash the strawberries and remove stems from them.

– Take a cookie sheet. Dip whole strawberries in yogurt and leave them to freeze.

– Alternatively, you can cut half a cup of strawberries into fine pieces. Blend the diced strawberries with half a cup of yogurt using a blender. Pour this mixture into ice molds and leave to freeze.

 

7. Frozen Apple Pupsicles

You must have heard the famous proverb — an apple a day keeps the doctor away. The saying stands true not just for humans, but also for dogs. Apples are a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and are good for dogs in general.

Ingredients:

– Two apples

– One cup of low-fat unsweetened yogurt

– Carrot sticks

Directions:

– Cut the apples into halves and remove all seeds.

– Next, dice the fruit into small pieces.

– Use a blender to blend the apple pieces with low-fat unsweetened yogurt. Transfer this mixture to ice molds.

– You can use carrot sticks as pupsicle sticks.

– Leave for 4-5 hours to freeze.

8. Pumpkin Chicken Pupsicles

Pumpkins are loaded with beta carotenes and fibers and are an excellent supplement for your dog. What’s even better is that dogs love pumpkin. So, help your pooch beat the heat with this pumpkin pupsicle recipe.

Ingredients

– Three-fourth cup pumpkin puree

– Half a cup of non-fat yogurt

– 4-5 pieces of chicken jerky

Directions

– Use a blender to mix the pumpkin puree and non-fat yogurt.

– Pour this mixture into an ice mold. Use chicken jerky pieces as popsicle sticks.

– Leave to freeze for 3-4 hours.

9. Watermelon Pupsicles

Watermelon pupsicles are easy to make, and your pooch will love these tasty dog treats.

Ingredients

– About two cups of seedless watermelon

– A three-fourth cup of unsweetened yogurt

Directions

– Cut the melon into half and remove all the seeds.

– Dice the fruit into small pieces.

– Take about two cups of seedless watermelon pieces and make them into a puree using a blender.

– Pour this watermelon puree into an ice tray. Layer the watermelon puree in each block with a tablespoon of yogurt.

– Leave in the freezer for about 3-4 hours to freeze.

10. Maple Bacon Ice Cream for Dogs

If you don’t feel like making Popsicles for dogs you can buy doggie ice cream ready made! Our favorite is the Maple Bacon ice cream variety. It’s real scoopable ice cream that’s healthy for pups. Learn more about ice cream for dogs

Do you want to bake a cake for your pup, but you don’t have tons of time? Don’t worry, here are our top 5 dog cake mixes reviewed by real dog lovers, with busy lives, but who want to give their pups a special treat!

1. Whisk & Wag – Natural Dog Treat Baking Mix  Rating: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Whisk and Wag are masters in making treats for our pups simple. All you need to do is add oil and water to the mixture, whisk it up and bake – Easy Peasy! Our dogs loved the taste and they ate them up in no time. all the ingredients are healthy, made with natural ingredients and zero preservatives.

The mixture can get a little crumbly so be prepared for a little mess – you may not always get the perfect heart shape and they can be tricky to decorate. The jar is cute and I used it after to store the treats, although it didn’t hold all of them as the mixture made three trays full of treats!

Overall this is an affordable, easy to use cake baking mix for dogs. Price: $9.99

2. Lazy Dog Cookie Co – Vanilla Birthday Cake Mix (Sprinkles & Frosting) Rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It needed a few more ingredients than the Whisk & Wag treats but that was to be expected as this was a full-sized dog cake with frosting and sprinkles! I was surprised at how good it smelt in the oven, I wanted to grab a slice myself. Its a fantastic option for a special occasion like doggo’s birthday and my dog is a little fussy so I knew it had to be good when he gobbled it down in twenty seconds.

You need to allocate a little extra to whip up this cake, but it’s worth it! And sometimes my terrier can have a sensitive stomach so I try to give him just a little to make sure he will be ok with it. He was absolutely fine and begged for more! Price: $11.95

No Time To Bake? No Worries

You can occasionally find  doggie cakes at dog bakeries. The Dog Bakery makes dog birthday cakes in a few different shapes and colors available in wheat free or grain free and they ship the cakes throughout the USA. Check them out! 

3. Puppy Cake – Banana Cake Mix and Frosting  Rating: 4.6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Made by Puppy Cake, who appeared on Shark Tank: Their great dog cake mix only needs an egg, water, and oil and is made from ingredients all sourced within the US and it only takes a few minutes to prepare. Another great bonus to this recipe is that you can cook it in the microwave – I was dubious but it cooked perfectly, in a fifth of the time and my dog thought it was wonderful and begged for seconds.

The frosting is a little tricky to work with, I recommend adding a little extra water than the recipe dictates otherwise it can be a little… hard, and I couldn’t get it to spread over the cake. One of my dogs had a slice and didn’t eat the frosting – he just ate around it. So maybe check with a little frosting first to see if your dog likes it before adding it to the cake. Next time I would make my own frosting or just add peanut butter to the top. But they all love the cake and the texture was great.

It is also available in peanut butter, pumpkin red velvet, and carob flavor. Price: $8.99

4. Petcakes – Birthday Cake Kit  Rating: 4.2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The least expensive cake baking mix for dogs on our list also includes a bone-shaped pan and a candle! all ingredients are sourced within the US, it super simple to make – Just add water ( and maybe a little peanut butter if you have a doggy with a sweet tooth). And it does not contain wheat, soy, salt, sugar, corn or preservatives, only the best for our furry friends.

You need to follow the instructions carefully when microwaving because the first time I made it, I didn’t bang the mixture on the counter and I did get a lot of air bubbles – not that my pups cared. The other slight problem I incurred was with the candle – it was neatly stuck inside the bone but when I removed it, some of the stickiness from the tape would not budge. It took me about 10 minutes with veg oil and elbow grease to get it off but it definitely added to my prep time.  Price: $7.60

5. Three Dog Bakery – Woofers Grain Free (Butter & Banana) Rating: 4.6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Our final treat on the list is a no-bake option. We have added it because sometimes we just don’t have the time to dust off the apron and pull out the mixer. But our pets are part of our family so even when we don’t have much time, they still deserve a treat right?

These are my go-to treats every time for my dogs. They are very inexpensive for the quality (only $3.99 for 13 ounces) They are all-natural and you don’t need to think twice about whether these are a healthy option for your dog as they are grain-free, no additional salt, no artificial colors or flavors, and zero preservatives.

The drawback is that they don’t quite do the trick for a special occasion. These are the types of treats I give my dogs as rewards not for their birthdays. Available at Target. Price: $3.99 

You can also get dog cake mixes and dog cake mix frosting at Petco, Petsmart, Walmart and other retailers.

Conclusion

So that rounds up our top five cake baking mix for dogs. As a caution, I would always recommend you start with a little piece of cake to check that your dog likes it and it doesn’t give them an upset stomach. I am pretty lucky as I only have one dog with an irritable stomach and with him, he can be a little hit and miss as to what will sit well with him. All the cake baking mixes for dogs included here had 0 side effects on my dogs and with other dogs but I will still recommend you to be a bit cautious.

However that being said, baking cakes for my dogs took a little time but it was totally worth it. I enjoyed giving them something special, and I captured some great moment to treasure. My dogs now wish it was their birthday every day!

Anyone who has dogs knows they can enjoy playdates and parties as much as children. If you live in an apartment, however, hosting a party for your dog may be a little tricky. If you keep a few tips in mind, you should be able to plan your dog’s celebration without a hitch.

1. Inform Your Landlord

Landlords have some pretty complex laws when it comes to dogs and their property, so it might be good to tell them just in case. If there is more than one dog, it is even more important to tell your landlord that unfamiliar animals will be visiting the premises. Everyone loves their dogs, but animals can become unpredictable when excited. They could nip or knock someone over in their exuberance. You do not want to blindside your landlord if you need to contact him or her or enlist their help for an unexpected issue. Your landlord may even assist you in supplies or finding an appropriate spot. Your landlord may also ask that you also inform your neighbors. If you wanted, you could even invite some of the people from your complex to come to your dog’s party while you’re at it.

2. Find Space

Having human or canine friends over is an exciting time for your dog. Even a small dog needs room to run and release that pent-up energy. If your dog is small and only one or two are joining the party, then your apartment may be large enough for them. You still need to clear space and puppy-proof your home. Remove all small objects and anything valuable or breakable from reach. Remember, any visitors will be unfamiliar with what is off limits in your apartment. Dogs should be treated like small children who will eat anything they can get into their mouths and disregard anything within reach of their tails. Look into reserving a spot in the compound for your dog and his or her friends. Many apartment complexes have small dog parks, or you may be able to claim the barbecue or pool area for an afternoon. This is where talking to your landlord comes in handy. Keep in mind that dogs who are unfamiliar with each other will do better in larger spaces.

3. Plan Little Details

To have an apartment party for your dog will arguably require more planning than for other locations. Not only should you give your landlord and neighbors plenty of notice, but you should:

Organize your guest list well in advance.

If inviting people to bring their dogs, make sure your pet is familiar with them. Introduce them well before the party in a neutral place.

Do not forget your other pets.

if you have a cat or a bird, make sure you can secure them away from the commotion and potential harm. You may consider day boarding them if the party will be indoors. 

Bathroom breaks

Even if the party will take place largely in your apartment, figure out where dogs will take their bathroom breaks and how you will dispose of any waste. If the party is to include children, make sure supervision is sufficient for canine and child interactions.

What food will you serve?

Finally, make sure to prepare food appropriate for both dogs and humans. Ask your guests about any food allergies or intolerances. Provide plenty of fresh water.

Everyone loves parties, your dog included. Your apartment poses unique challenges for canine social events. However, by informing your landlord, finding plenty of space, and carefully organizing the small things, it can become the site of a joyous and satisfying celebration for you and your dog.

Dogs are great companions and provide their owner with an unlimited amount of love. So it is only natural for you to want to return this love when your dog’s birthday comes around. Fortunately, there are a number of creative ways for you to give your dog a birthday celebration he or she will never forget.

1. An Evening at a Dog-Friendly Restaurant

Restaurants that accept dogs are commonplace in many areas. Many of them include menus for pups. For example, one popular restaurant offers dishes like ‚Turkey Mutt-loaf, Paw-Tio, and ‚Pooched Egg Brunch Bowl‘ on their canine menu. If a similar restaurant is close to your home, it is a great place to host a birthday party for your dog.

2. Visit a Dog Park

A dog park is a great place to celebrate a birthday with your dog. you should find a park that allows your dog to enjoy running free without a leash. Your dog will also benefit from having other dogs present to share in their birthday fun.

Many dog owners choose a dog park to celebrate their dog’s birthday because it also allows their dog to get some exercise. This is especially important in the summer months. Summer is an important time for your health as well as your dog’s. While year-round exercise is important, some of the activities your dog loves to do with you are available only during the summer months.

3. Pamper Sessions

Another great idea is to treat your dog to a day at the spa to celebrate a birthday. Once a novelty, dog spas are now big business and can be found in most cities. A full suite of services is available to make your dog feel special. These services include grooming, facials, teeth brushing, massages, pawdicures, and much more.

A trip to a local dog spa will give your dog an experience it will not soon forget.

4. Birthday Treats for Dogs

Want to celebrate your dog’s birthday with a custom made birthday cake made just for pups? Check out The Dog Bakery’s treats, cakes and party supplies. They ship throughout the USA.

Your dog showers you with love throughout the year. It is only right that you take a moment to make the day they were born special for them. The four party ideas above will surely put a wag in your dog’s tail.

Some people love nothing better than social gatherings. You know the kind. When you look into a crowded party, they are the ones at the center. They are the entertainers. He or she is the life of the event and many times even the host. There are social butterflies in the dog world also. These are certain breeds that, for the most part, never meet a stranger.

Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers have beauty as well as intelligence. They are among the most trainable of all dog breeds. As far as parties go, Goldens are gentle but playful, tolerant, and patient. A well-bred Golden Retriever exhibits elegant manners with strangers and a general desire to please people. Goldens are good around other dogs, children, and even different species. They crave regular human attention. In fact, loneliness and boredom leads to many vices for goldens, like barking, digging, and general destructive behavior.

Poodle

If you think a poodle with its frivolous curls and fancy haircut cannot hang at a party, think again. Under that nervous and doll-like facade is a lively clown and performer. While never terribly far from their owners, poodles are jovial and friendly with strangers. They may not patiently sit for strangers to fawn over them, but they will entertain them in a heartbeat. Poodles of all sizes (toy, miniature, and standard) are active, among the most intelligent of dogs, trainable, proud, and playful. They retain unflappable natures from their gun dog ancestry. Poodles have topped the popularity list of most sought-after breeds for decades. Their place in human social circles appears permanent with the introduction of numerous poodle designer lines, like Labradoodles and Goldendoodles.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador retrievers personify social charm and friendliness. At a dog park, it is difficult to tell exactly who owns a lab. They are harmonious and lively with people and other animals. Enthusiasm is their mantra, and they seem to harbor it equally for everything around them. The breed is intelligent, trainable, affectionate, obedient, and reliable. It is even-tempered and at the same time energetic and playful. Labs can work with unmatched focus and then play with uninhibited vigor when the job is finished. Like Golden retrievers, Labradors become destructive when left alone too much.

Beagle

Despite its small stature, beagles are extroverted and confident. They were originally bred to hunt hares in a pack of other hounds. Their natural friendliness with other dogs persists to this day. Beagles are also friendly with people and good with children. A beagle can be loud like any hound, with an exuberant baying voice and mournful howl. Beagles are intelligent and readily approach people. However, their preoccupation with scents makes them both less trainable than some and easily distracted.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Despite their diminutive legs, there is nothing small about a corgi’s personality. Pembroke Welsh corgis can easily become the life of any party. They are friendly and even bold, affectionate, and smart. Lively and active, a corgi’s main fault is trying to herd everyone around them by nipping their ankles. Sufficient exercise, social interactions, and training should curb this habit.

Siberian Husky

Demanding attention at every opportunity, Siberian Huskies are as friendly as they are attractive. They will perform whatever vocals necessary to gain your focus if you ignore them, including crooning, howling, and yipping. Huskies like other dogs and children. Supervision is always a must as they may exercise their moderate prey drive inappropriately towards small dogs and toddlers. They can be at turns thoughtful and exuberant at social gatherings.

Irish Setter

Irish Setters are not as popular as they once were, but not for lack of character. They make solid companions in many situations. An Irish Setter’s nature is energetic and outgoing. It is lively, affectionate, sociable, and playful. Irish Setters are also sweet and outgoing. They are gracious with all people and different types of animals. An Irish Setter can be content when not the center of attention because of a certain degree of independence inherent in the breed.

King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

Do not let the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel’s royal heritage fool you. As one of the most adaptable of all dog breeds, they are happy, go-lucky, sociable dogs. At parties, they know how to work a room. The Cavalier Spaniel is gentle and affectionate, and even in play possesses a rare kind of grace that endears it to everyone. It is active but also loves playing the role of a lap dog. Poor upbringing can create a timid dog.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Despite a fierce and dangerous reputation, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and other pit bull types continue to grow in popularity because of their friendly and outgoing natures. They are prevalent at dog parks and barbecues alike. Responsible and firm training promotes a bold and outgoing personality. Present-day Staffies should be sweet-natured, patient, and agreeable with people, other dogs, and children. They should have constant supervision around kids and other animals and need plenty of attention.

French Bulldog

Even when not actively begging someone to pet it, a Frenchie demands attention with its adorable traits and extensive charm. If a French bulldog is at a party, everyone will surely seek it out. French Bulldogs are even-tempered, friendly to all, and affectionate. They are not particularly trainable or eager to please. However, they are bright, alert, and playful. You must exercise care that they do not suffer heat exhaustion when playing, but they enjoy the company of other dogs.

The above descriptions are not exhaustive, but these breeds are most representative of socially outgoing dogs and among the top candidates to help you host parties. And when you throw a party, what better way to celebrate than with cake! Check out our dog safe, freshly baked cakes!

Other Resources:

• 13 Friendliest Dog Breeds | VetStreet
• Dog Breeds | Infinity Pups

                                                                                📷@mwdesignsltd

What Is A Barkmitzvah?

Well, it’s exactly as it sounds! It is a Barmitzvah for a dog who has turned 13 months or 13 years of age.

Your furry family member has hit that milestone of turning 13. It is time for him or her to have their own Barkmitzvah!

👉More people are leaning more toward 13 months of age, as that is the time that most dogs reach actual adult maturity.

👉You could even do it when your pup turns 2 or 3 as that’s technically the equivalent of 13 in dogs years.

👉Or you can celebrate reaching the senior dog stage at the age of 13 years.

Here is a step by step guide to help you plan Fido’s special day. 

What Will You Need?

Venue

Depending on the number of guests you invite, you might not have room to hold the party at home. So you can look for:

✡️ Parks (dog parks or pet friendly regular parks)

✡️Backyards

✡️ Doggie daycare centers

✡️ Pet friendly hotels

Be sure to plan for potty accidents ahead of time and ensure all guests also have access to poop bags for the inevitable potty break.

If the weather is nice, maybe opt for renting a gazebo at a local park. Or even call local dog parks and doggie daycares to see if they will be willing to rent out space.

Here is an entire article on where to host your dog’s birthday party

Decorations

Etsy has a ton of cute banners that say Barkmitzvah on them. They also have the Star of David bandanas for other dog guests to wear. And they have adorable traditional Yarmulke Kippah for dogs! Some people pick a theme and get decorations that go along with it.

Invitations

Of course, to get your guests to the Barkmitzvah, you will need to send out invites! Getting custom made invitations is probably the best way to go with this one. You will want to invite everyone who is important to your dog. It is their special day so close human friends, family, and their other pooch friends are a must.

Food

This is where you can get a lot more creative. You will want food for both human and pet guests. Special cakes that say, „Happy Barkmitzvah“ or „Muzzle Tov“ are always great crowd pleasers. Be sure to get a grain free cake so dogs with grain sensitivities can also join in.

Snacks and beverages for human guests are always welcome too. And don’t forget the goodie bags for the dog guests!

Birthday Gifts

Many people choose to get their pup a gift basket of all their favorite toys and special treats. Guests are also welcome to bring a gift, but it is not expected. Note that unlike a human Barmitzvah, money usually is not passed down to the birthday boy.

Check out these awesome birthday gifts for dogs

Music

You will want to have some light music playing for the guests. This will keep most dogs calm and keep the room from sounding too silent. This can be anything from lighter classical to your dog’s favorite mellow tunes.

Puppy makeover

Let’s not forget the most important part, getting your dog a makeover. Humans usually get the works done before their Barmitzvah, so why not your dog too? Get their teeth cleaned, nails done, fresh wash and cut (if applicable.) Make them feel like a glowing star for their coming of age day.

What Do You Do AT The Party?

No one expects your dog to get up and bark the traditional readings from the Torah. This is more of a party to relax and have fun. Before the meal, most people do say a blessing of, „This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and celebrate on it.“ A small meal will take place followed by dessert.

📷 @twopoochesandblondie

Activities

It is probably a good idea to bring a lot of activities for the dogs to do at the Barkmitzvah. Toys like frisbees, tug ropes, and tennis balls.

Games for the people to play isn’t a bad idea either since not all people will be bringing their dogs too. Games like a ring toss, board games, card games, and other carnival-style games are great crowd pleasers.

And of course, there is always lots of dancing. Have fun and get creative with this part, as only you know what your guests will enjoy doing the most.

Here’s an entire article on activities for dogs to do at a party.

As you can see Dog Barmitzvahs are a great way to celebrate your coming of age dog. Take a lot of cute pictures that day with your beloved pets and make those memories last.

Check out this fun Bark Mitzvah video for inspiration