Do you know when your furry friend’s birthday is? If you purchased your four-legged buddy from a breeder or got him from a friend or neighbor whose pet had puppies, you may be able to determine the exact date. If you adopted Fido from an animal shelter, bookmark your calendars for the first of August. That’s DOGust, the global shelter dog’s birthday. That’s when all the shelter pets have their special day! Regardless of when you put your pawprint on the calendar, you can do some sweet and entertaining activities to keep your pet’s cute tail wagging. Continue reading for some fantastic doggy birthday ideas from a veterinarian in Ardmore, OK.
How Old is My Dog?
This usually confuses people. Many people believe that a year in Fido’s life is about equal to seven human years. This most likely arose when people compared the average human lifetime (70) to that of a puppy (10). But this is not the case.
In general, Fido’s lovely first year is roughly similar to fifteen human years. That second year is about equivalent to nine human years, bringing your dog to around 34 in people time. Following that, each year of Fido’s life spans three to five human years.
However, this is not a hard and fast chart. Keep in mind that larger dogs mature more quickly than smaller canines. A Great Dane can become a senior when it reaches the age of eight. A Chihuahua may not reach its golden years until the age of ten!
The AKC’s website offers thorough guidance. That being said, you should always consult your Ardmore, OK veterinarian regarding your dog’s aging process.
Fun Ways To Celebrate Fido’s Special Day
Dogs, like people, have individual tastes. Your primary responsibility here is to just choose something that your pet will enjoy! There are no limitations; you can keep it simple by giving Fido a new toy or unique treat. Alternatively, you can go all out and have a full party.
All dogs will love additional snuggles and playtime with their owners! Spending more time with Fido is a failsafe option!
Here are some more ‘pawsome’ possibilities:
Dinner: There are plenty of dog-friendly restaurants and delis. Find a quaint neighborhood eatery and give your dog a special dinner.
Drive-Thru: You can always take Fido to the drive-through. Many restaurants provide secret menus for Man’s Best Friend. Starbucks, for example, offers puppuccino.
Shopping: Does your pooch behave well in public? Take him to the toy store and let him choose his own toy. Seeing how happy and proud Fido is when holding his new toy is bound to make you smile as well!
Hiking: Use a trail-finding app to find a new area for you and Fido to explore. Put your pet’s safety first! If Fido isn’t up for a strenuous hike, consider something else.
Puppy Playdates: You might also host a puppy party and invite Fido’s friends. Just keep in mind that this may not be appropriate for all dogs. This may not be the best solution if your pooch is fearful or aggressive around other dogs. Dogs with impaired immune systems may not be appropriate for playdates. For more information, please contact your veterinarian.
Whatever you choose, make sure to take some adorable shots of your animal companion. You can never have too many lovely pet photos!
What Are Some Good Birthday Gifts for Dogs?
If you were able to directly ask your pup what he wanted, toys would most likely be at the top of the list. Man’s Best Friend still enjoys traditional toys, such as rope pulls and plushies, but there are many innovative new options available as well.
- Smart Toys: As technology has advanced in recent years, Fido’s friends in the IT business have guaranteed that his toys will keep up. You can offer your canine friend smart balls that react to his movements or laser pointers that activate at specific times.
- Fun Fountain: Do you have a yard where your pet can run and play? Get Fido a kiddie pool or fountain to keep him cool on hot summer days.
- Doghouse: If you have a yard, a doghouse is an excellent choice! Fido should live indoors, but he’ll enjoy having his own space outside.
- Snuffle Mats: These are a wonderful option for many dogs since they offer entertainment, stimulus, and incentives (treats)! Choose ones that are sturdy enough to withstand some chewing.
- Chew Toys: Speaking of chewing, chewing can be beneficial to Fido. It strengthens his muscles, removes plaque and tartar from his teeth, and increases saliva production. This also relieves puppies’ teething pain. The trick is to select toys that are both safe and appropriate. Rawhide, for example, may be dangerous for some dogs because it can break into little pieces, posing choking risks. Check with your vet about this.
- Automated Ball Launcher: Does your pet enjoy chasing tennis balls? Fido may be able to keep himself entertained for hours with this! Just be careful to get the correct size. Big dogs can choke on balls made for smaller dogs!
- Puzzle Toys: You may also purchase toys that require Fido to grab a prize from a hole. There are several adorable variants of this! Your canine companion can retrieve donuts from a box, chipmunks from a log, and aliens from a spaceship.
- Stuffies: Many of our canine companions adore stuffed animals! However, there are certain limits. Some puppies get really enthusiastic about these, tearing out the stuffing and squeaker and trying to eat them. Needless to say, you don’t want your canine companion swallowing these! Purchase long-lasting toys and monitor Fido’s playtime.
- GPS Tags: Although Fido might not exactly be overjoyed about this gift, we are. These are another excellent way to keep an eye on your canine companion. This is ideal for folks who have dogs who like to escape. Before buying these, do some research. There are quite a few different products available, but they differ slightly in terms of battery life, range, technology, and, of course, price. You may also use air tags or anything similar.
- Paw Buttons: These are essentially pads that can be programmed with terms like ‘Walk,’ ‘Treat,’ and ‘Toy.’ You’ll then teach Fido how to communicate by stepping on the pad that speaks the word he wants to communicate to you. Some dogs can pick this up really well! (One dog had an existential crisis, but that’s another matter.)
- New Dog Bed: Has Fido’s current dog bed worn down to a few lumpy pieces of padding? This is an incredible opportunity for a new one! Get your furry friend a new bed to look lovely in as he dreams of bacon and squirrels.
- Pupscription Boxes: These are ideal for dogs who go through toys quicker than you can replace them. Every month, Fido will receive his own box of treats in the mail. This is, of course, always going to be adorable to watch.
Schedule an appointment with our veterinarian in Ardmore, OK.
Is your adorable pet due for a check-up, vaccines, or parasite control? Please contact us at any time. As your Ardmore, OK, pet hospital, we are always available to assist!
