1 year birthday puppy


It’s time for your puppy’s first birthday bash! Whether you’re throwing an actual party for your extroverted puppy or keeping it more low-key for your shy dog, we’ve got several puppy-safe suggestions and ideas to make this first birthday memorable for you both!

  1. Giving them special snacks: It’s okay to give your puppy some extra special treats for their birthday! Some pet bakeries have small pet-safe cupcakes that might make a great treat for the occasion. Make sure that any food you offer isn’t toxic to dogs and that you don’t overdo it. Too many snacks can cause stomach upset. 
  2. Taking a fun day trip: For your more active puppy, this could be a daylong hiking trip or a trip to a pet-friendly town with a lot of patios. A less social puppy may be satisfied with a quick trip for a puppy cone from their favorite drive-through.  
  3. Giving them birthday gifts: Your dog probably has plenty of toys by now, but what’s wrong with a couple more? You can choose new types of toys your pet hasn’t been exposed to or replace some of their well-loved favorites. A soft new bed is also a great choice!
  4. Making paw prints: You can use pet-safe paints to get your 1-year-old puppy’s paw prints. This can be a fun activity to repeat each year. 
  5. Going on a playdate: If your dog has a canine bestie, you could meet up for some playtime or a walk. 
  6. Choosing a birthday outfit for your puppy: If your pet is used to wearing dog clothes, you could pick an adorable birthday outfit for the occasion. If your dog isn’t yet used to this, consider sticking to something like a bandanna, as you don’t want to cause them stress on their birthday.
  7. Creating a birthday scavenger hunt: Hide fun treats around your home or yard! Make sure to count how many you have before you hide them so that you can see just how many the birthday dog finds!
  8. Setting up a dog water park: Create a water park in your own backyard with sprinklers and pools. As long as the weather complies, your water-loving dog is sure to enjoy themselves!

There are so many things you can do for your puppy’s birthday! The only requirements we have are that you: (1) have a safe and fun time with your best friend and (2) that you share the evidence (photos and/or videos) with your VCA care team.

Looking for more ideas? Check out these 50 fun ideas of activities to do with your pet.