Forget the balloons and enormous pup-cake. The perfect birthday looks quite different from your dog’s side of the party.
We buy them presents, bake them pup-cakes, and some of us even invite their four-legged friends around for a birthday party, but if your dog could organise its own birthday, chances are there wouldn’t be a balloon or party hat in sight.
As Australians spend record amounts on their pets and interest in pet birthdays grows, new guidance suggests the perfect celebration looks rather different from the human version.
For many dogs, the ultimate birthday might be surprisingly simple: a long walk with plenty of time to sniff, their favourite people nearby and a small treat. And absolutely no requirement to wear a ridiculous hat for the family photo.
For an ageing dog, the celebration may be quieter still.
There are now an estimated 31.6 million pets living in 7.7 million Australian households, according to Animal Medicines Australia. LINK
Almost three-quarters of Australian households have at least one pet, up from 61 per cent before the pandemic. Dogs remain number one, living in almost half of Australian households.
We’re spending accordingly. Australians spend an estimated $21.3 billion a year feeding and caring for their animals, including $9.8 billion on food alone. Dog-owning households spend an average of about $2,520 a year on their dogs.
Birthdays are increasingly part of the deal.
Google Trends data supplied by Hill’s Pet Nutrition Australia shows search interest in “pet birthday” has risen 40 per cent over the past five years.
That has prompted Hill’s to release new guidance for owners wanting to plan a birthday their dog will enjoy, rather than recreating a human party with four-legged guests.
The starting point is simple: think like a dog.
A brisk march around the block so you can get home for the party probably isn’t your dog’s idea of a birthday outing.
Instead, Hill’s suggests giving them time to sniff and explore.
Take a favourite walking route at a slower pace or try somewhere new with interesting smells. If fetch is their great love, let the game run a little longer than usual.
The point isn’t necessarily more exercise, it’s allowing your dog to spend time doing what dogs enjoy. For older dogs, the outing may need to be shorter and gentler, with time for water and rest.
A 12-year-old Labrador doesn’t need the same birthday itinerary as a one-year-old cavoodle.
Humans might love a packed birthday party but your dog may have other ideas.
For a social dog, one or two familiar canine friends in a safe, securely fenced environment may be plenty.
For an anxious or senior dog, their favourite human might be all the company they want. Hill’s recommends avoiding a crowd of unfamiliar dogs and making sure your dog always has somewhere quiet to retreat, and perhaps leave the party poppers at the supermarket.
Balloons, streamers and noisy decorations can cause stress and may present choking or blockage hazards if a curious dog decides to investigate them with its mouth.
This may be the part your dog is most interested in.
Dog-safe “pup-cakes” can be made using ingredients such as cooked pumpkin, mashed banana, plain unsweetened peanut butter and a little plain yoghurt.
But check that peanut butter label carefully as some products can contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Portion size matters too. Hill’s points owners to the commonly used 10 per cent guideline: treats and extras should account for no more than about 10 per cent of a dog’s daily calories, with most of their nutrition coming from complete and balanced food.
For a small dog, that doesn’t leave much room for an enormous birthday cake, no matter how good it looks in the photos.
Dogs with food sensitivities, sensitive stomachs or medical conditions may need a different approach, so owners should check with their vet before introducing new foods.
This birthday rule is worth taking seriously.
Chocolate, grapes, raisins and sultanas, onion, garlic and macadamia nuts are among the foods that can be harmful to dogs.
The human birthday spread should stay with the humans.
A table covered in food combined with distracted visitors can make it particularly easy for an opportunistic dog to help itself.
What about the dog who already owns enough squeaky toys to stock a small pet shop? Instead of buying another one, give them something to do.
Hill’s suggests puzzle toys, snuffle mats, lick mats and scent-based games. Owners can even hide portions of their dog’s usual food around the garden and turn dinner into a birthday treasure hunt.
Rotating existing toys can also make old favourites interesting again.
It may not look as impressive as a basket overflowing with presents, but your dog is unlikely to complain.
Owners celebrating a dog entering its senior years don’t need to recreate the birthdays of their younger days.
Choose gentle, low-impact activity and give them somewhere comfortable to rest and keep an eye out for signs they’ve had enough.
An older dog’s birthday can be quieter and still be special.
Maybe it’s a favourite walk followed by a sniff around the garden or a small treat before settling down beside their favourite person.
We’ve turned dog birthdays into quite an occasion.
Your dog may simply be delighted that you’ve cleared your diary for them.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Australia has published its full guide to planning a dog-friendly birthday, including advice on activities, treats, enrichment and celebrations for dogs at different stages of life.
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