Pet Celebrations
Pet Celebration Guides: Dog Birthdays and Gotcha Days
These guides help you celebrate a pet's birthday, gotcha day or adoption anniversary without stressing the guest of honor. You'll learn how to keep a dog party short and calm, which people foods to keep out of reach, where to put decorations, and how to measure your dog or cat so a crown or mini hat sits right for photos. Start with the party planning guide if you are hosting, or the measuring guide if you only want a birthday portrait.
What you'll learn
- Party length and guests: a rule of thumb of about 60 to 90 minutes with a few dogs your dog already knows.
- Food safety: chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic are among the people foods to keep away from pets, and it's worth asking your vet before changing your dog's diet.
- Decor placement: balloons and ribbon above nose and jump height, and popped pieces picked up right away.
- Measuring for a crown or hat: the ear gap across the top of the head and the strap loop under the jaw, with room for two fingers under the strap.
- Photo etiquette: a minute or two of supervised wear, and removing the hat at signs of stress such as lip licking, yawning or pawing.
Where to start
| If you want to… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Host a dog birthday or gotcha day party | How to plan a dog birthday party |
| Fit a crown or party hat on a dog or cat | How to measure your dog for a crown |
| Dress plush toys as extra party guests | Mini party hats for stuffed animals |
The products these guides use
The measuring guide is built around the gold pet birthday crown, a small glitter crown with an adjustable elastic strap and sliding toggle. Its listing gives no exact dimensions, which is why the guide shows you how to judge scale from photos and your own measurements. For pets who suit a cone, the mini party hats with crowns have cones about 5.3 in tall on a 3.54 in base. For the backdrop, the party guide uses latex balloons such as the blue polka dot balloon pack, kept high on a wall.
Our approach to pet content
Pet hats and crowns are photo props. The guides never suggest leaving one on a pet unattended, and they treat any sign of discomfort as the end of the photo session. Food and health advice is limited to widely published lists of foods to avoid and a reminder to check with your vet.
Planning a joint party where kids and pets share the photos? Our pet birthday page lists the crown and mini hats side by side with a planning checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a dog birthday party last?
A rule of thumb is about 60 to 90 minutes, with a few dogs your dog already knows. Shorter is fine for dogs that tire or get overexcited quickly.
How do I measure my dog for a party crown?
Measure the gap across the top of the head between the ear bases, and the strap loop from one ear base under the jaw to the other. You should be able to slide two fingers flat under the strap.
How long can my dog wear a party hat?
Just a minute or two for supervised photos. Remove it sooner if your dog licks its lips, yawns or paws at it.
Which foods should I keep away from dogs at a party?
Chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic are among the common foods to keep from pets. Ask your vet before serving a homemade treat.