Dog owners, put a paw print on your calendar for June 21st: it’s Dog Party Day! Although Fido loves and adores his human ‘pack,’ he does also benefit from spending time with other pooches. Why not throw him a party? A local Roanoke, VA vet offers tips on creating a pup-tastic event that both people and dogs will love.
Food
Get plenty of treats to help keep those cute tails wagging. If you like, you can make homemade ones. Pupsicles are bound to be a hit. Put pieces of kibble, dog biscuit, shredded meat, and/or chew sticks in wax paper cups or ice cube trays, pour sodium-free broth over them, and freeze. You can find more recipes online. Just stick to pet-safe foods. Some things to avoid are garlic, onions, scallions, and chives; pitted fruits; grapes, currants, and raisins; meat on the bone; alcohol; caffeine; chocolate; and anything containing xylitol. Of course, you don’t want to ignore your human guests. This is a great time for a potluck or barbeque!
Toys
Set out lots of toys for Fido and his friends. Make sure there is more than enough to go around, as dogs can get territorial about playthings. You don’t want your furry guests fighting over tennis balls or rope toys! To save money, look online for DIY options.
Invitation List
Only invite friendly, well-behaved dogs. Also, make sure that both Fido and his four-legged buddies are current on their vaccinations and parasite control. Better safe than sorry!
Entertainment
Want to turn your yard into a doggy amusement park for a day? Get a few kiddie pools, and fill them with water for your furry friends to splash around in. You can also set out a sprinkler. You may want to add some simple outdoor toys, like a tug toy.
Safety
Do some puppyproofing before the big day. Remove or secure toxic plants; plastic bags and wrappers; chemicals; medications; wires and cords; and anything small or sharp. We also recommend getting a self-latching gate for the yard.
Strike A Pose
This is a great time to get some really cute pics of your canine pal with all his buddies. Try downloading a pet photo app. These have settings that are great for taking pet photos.
Please reach out to us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, for all of your dog’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!
