Dog birthday party checklist (and the foods to keep away)
Use this checklist to plan a calm, safe dog party. The most important section is the last one: party food that's dangerous for dogs.
Two weeks before
- Pick a date, time (about an hour) and place – garden, park or a dog-friendly café.
- Choose a small guest list of dogs your dog already gets along with.
- Send invitations (see wording ideas) and ask about allergies.
- Decide on a theme – ideas in 25 dog party ideas.
- Order or plan decorations and any printables.
The day before
- Bake the dog-safe cake or pupcakes.
- Prepare favour bags and a few toys for games.
- Set up a quiet room or crate as a break area.
- Check the garden fence and gates.
- Charge your phone for photos.
On the day
- Give your dog a walk before guests arrive.
- Put out water bowls in several places.
- Keep human food on a separate, high table.
- Introduce dogs outside or on neutral ground first.
- Do photos early, while everyone's fresh.
- Serve cake in small portions, each dog in its own spot.
- Pick up wrapping paper, balloon pieces and leftovers right away.
- End with a calm activity and send guests home before anyone gets overtired.
Party foods dogs must NOT eat
| Food | Why |
|---|---|
| Chocolate, cocoa, coffee | Contain theobromine / caffeine, toxic to dogs |
| Anything with xylitol (birch sugar) | Sugar-free gum, sweets, some peanut butters and baked goods; very dangerous even in small amounts |
| Grapes, raisins, currants | Linked to kidney failure |
| Onion, garlic, chives | Damage red blood cells; often hidden in dips, gravy, stock |
| Macadamia nuts | Weakness, tremors |
| Alcohol, raw yeast dough | Poisoning, bloating |
| Cooked bones, corn cobs, skewers | Choking and blockages |
| Very fatty food (sausages, crackling) | Can trigger pancreatitis |
If your dog eats something dangerous, call your vet or an animal poison helpline straight away, even if they seem fine – some poisonings take hours to show.
Add the fun part: invitations, a banner and thank-you cards with your dog's face from our pet birthday party kit.
Make it a party to remember 🎂
Upload one photo and PetMagi creates a birthday portrait, an e-card and printable invitation, banner and thank-you cards starring your own dog or cat. See a free preview first – no sign-up.
Never forget the date: get a free email reminder a week before.
FAQ
What should I have at a dog birthday party?
A small group of familiar dogs, water bowls, a dog-safe cake, a few toys or games, a quiet break area and poop bags.
What party food is toxic to dogs?
Chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, cooked bones and very fatty food.
What do I do if my dog eats chocolate at a party?
Call your vet or an animal poison helpline right away and tell them the type and amount of chocolate and your dog's weight.