📝 The Ultimate Dog Birthday Party Checklist (+ Free Printable!)
The most important birthday of the year is coming up 🎉
But between work, errands, and trying to remember where your keys are, do you have the hours to Pinterest your way through a Dog Birthday Party plan?
You’re in the right place.
This is the no-fluff, real-life dog birthday party checklist. You can read it in 3 minutes, print it if you want, and even skip the whole planning part if you’re feeling extra done (more on that below).
📌 What This Is (and What It’s Not)
✅ A practical list of what you actually need
✅ Designed for busy dog parents who want something cute, not chaotic
✅ Easy to customize for any budget or vibe
❌ Not a hyper-styled dog wedding with swan ice sculptures (unless that’s your thing, in which case, go off)
✅ The Checklist: 21 Essentials for Your Dog Birthday Party
🎈 Decorations & Style
☐ Balloons (matching your dog’s fur?) or oversized number props
☐ Party banner or backdrop
☐ Hats or bandanas for the dogs
🍰 Treats & Food
☐ Dog-safe birthday cake (DIY or bakery)
☐ Frozen or peanut butter-based treats (see recipe at the bottom of this page)
☐ Light snack or dessert for human guests (see suggestions at the bottom of this page)
🎉 Table & Setup
☐ Disposable tablecloths
☐ Disposable cutlery & plates (if you don’t have enough normal ones)
☐ Dog-themed plates, napkins, and cups
☐ Treat bags or snack board for guests (pups + humans)
📸 Photo Ops
☐ DIY photo booth or backdrop area
☐ Tripod or designated camera person
☐ Polaroid/disposable camera for keepsakes
🎁 Favors & Goodies
☐ Mini gift bags: toys, treats, tennis balls
☐ Personalized tags, stickers, or labels (optional)
☐ Treat display basket or bowl for easy grab-and-go
🧼 🐾 Logistics, Safety, Comfort
☐ Sent out instructions for parking or how to get to your place
☐ Extra seating or shade (if outdoors)
☐ Extra trash bags, poop bags, paper towels for cleanup
☐ Water station for dogs
☐ Quiet rest zone for overstimulated pups
☐ Text guests a quick ‘vaccine/leash reminder’ a day before
💡 Quick Tips for Planning a Dog Party Like a Pro
You don’t need to do everything. You don’t need a perfect house, or a ten-course tasting menu for your dog. You just need a few thoughtful touches, some happy tail wags, and maybe a picture or two for next year’s nostalgia.
Pick a simple theme. Try “Barkday Brunch,” “Puppy Picnic,” or “Classy Neutrals.” You don’t need a theme—but it helps narrow decisions. Why not source your props from a dollar store? [See our full list of Dog Birthday Party Theme Templates, coming in June 2025]
Set a time limit for the party. One to two hours is enough. You’re not throwing Coachella.
Keep it relaxed. Dogs are simple. Sniff, nap, beg for snacks, repeat. You don’t need an advanced schedule.
Accept help. If someone says “Can I bring something?” feel free to answer YES. People like to be helpful.
Check dog etiquette. Ask guests to bring well-socialized dogs, confirm vaccines are up to date, and have leashes on hand just in case.
Follow your dog’s lead. Not every pup loves being the center of attention. Keep it low-key if that fits their personality better.
At the end of the day, this is about joy—for your dog and for you. A few thoughtful touches go a long way.
⏱️ Express Party Planner Tool [Coming Soon]
If your calendar looks like a game of Tetris, check out our free Express Dog Party Planner tool.
It builds a custom party plan in under a minute—theme ideas, supplies, printable invites, the whole thing.
👉 Try it here (coming June 20th)
🥜 Easy Peanut Butter Dog Treats (Optional)
Ingredients:
1 banana
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (no xylitol!)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients
Spoon into silicone molds or ice cube trays
Freeze overnight
Dogs love these. Bonus: they double as a diversion if the party gets a little wild.
🍪 Quick Snacks for Human Guests
You don’t need a full spread—just a few treats that say, “Hey, we thought of you too.” Here are 5 easy, party-friendly options that cover different diets:
Mini charcuterie cups: Cheese cubes, salami, crackers, grapes, and a few nuts in individual cups. Fancy-ish, zero stress.
Chicken skewer bites: Grilled or rotisserie chicken chunks on mini skewers. Serve warm or cold with a dipping sauce.
Fruit skewers: Colorful, allergy-safe, and vegan-friendly. Add a side of yogurt or chocolate dip if you want.
Gluten-free brownie bites: Sweet, shareable, and easy to grab. Perfect for gluten-sensitive guests.
Mini meatballs (toothpick style): Great for omnivores. You can even use turkey or plant-based versions.
Toss a few of these onto platters or in bowls—done. No one’s expecting a full buffet. Just a thoughtful bite while the pups party. 🐶🎈
📬 Join the Waitlist
Join the waitlist for the new Express Dog Party Tool!
Sign up here [COMING SOON!]