• 🎉 Tips to throw a birthday party for your dog

• 🎂 A tasty recipe for a dog-friendly birthday cake

• 🐕 Treat your pup to the very best

• 🥳 The best idea for a party game for dogs

• ❤️ A special word from our pups

Did you know…?

Which animals likes sweets better - dogs or cats?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

More and more pet owners are joining in the fun of celebrating their dog's milestones, with birthday parties being a particularly enjoyable event. If you're new to the idea of a dog birthday, we’ve got some tips to help make your first one a big success.

Here are the things to consider in your planning:

• When: On or close to their birthday. If you don’t know when they were born, you can celebrate the anniversary of their adoption.

• Where: If you have a large, fenced-in yard, that’s ideal. If the weather is cold or rainy, call around to local doggie daycare spaces or other dog-friendly public spaces with a dog-friendly indoor space. Finding somewhere secure and escape-proof will allow the dogs to play without adding stress to any human guests.

• Who: Consider who your dog loves and how comfortable they are with larger groups. If they are outgoing, you can have as long of a guest list as you’d like. Some dogs are more at ease with smaller groups where they get the most attention.

• What: Choose a theme based on your dog’s name or favorite toy. Using that theme, you can come up with an activity or two. Kiddie pools and fun puzzles/games for dogs will be a hit. Continue reading to see a great inspiration-video below.

• Food and Drink: Parties should have snacks for dogs and humans. Put out plenty of fresh water for the dogs to enjoy while playing. Include some treat bowls for the dogs as well, and maybe even a bag to take some home. Human food can be simple, but if you find something that goes along with your theme, you’re sure to impress everyone.

Please send us pictures if you throw your pup a party. We’d love to celebrate all your milestones with you!

When organizing your dog’s birthday party, you’re probably considering what to do instead of the standard cake. We’ve got good news—there are dog-friendly cakes that you can bring along for your dog to enjoy. This recipe requires some time in the kitchen, but if you enjoy baking, this might be more fun than buying one from a store.

Spoiled Dog Birthday Cake

You’ll need: One cup of flour, ½ tsp of baking soda, ⅛ cup of vegetable oil, ¼ cup of natural peanut butter (make sure there is no xylitol or birch sugar), ½ cup of plain unsweetened applesauce, ½ cup of pure pumpkin puree, one egg, ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt, another ¼ cup of peanut butter, and anything to decorate.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour and baking soda.

3. In another bowl, combine vegetable oil, ¼ cup of peanut butter, apple sauce, and pumpkin puree. Once mixed together, add the egg and stir it in.

4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.

5. Pour mixture into an 8” round pan greased with oil.

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.

7. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

8. Make frosting by mixing Greek yogurt and remaining peanut butter until combined. Spread over the cake and add any decor.

BarkBox is a monthly themed box of toys, treats and unleashed joy, thoughtfully designed to satisfy every dog’s unique playstyle. What even is your dog? Besides perfect, obviously.

Discover their breed mix, distinct traits, and genetic matches with a dog DNA kit from Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry — FREE with your first BarkBox of toys and treats (value $99).

Tennis balls are one of dog’s favorite toys. Sampson got the surprise of his life when his owners found a pinata shaped like a giant tennis ball, and when he got it open, he was showered with his favorite toys. We love this idea for a dog's birthday party. Imagine how happy your pup’s canine companions would be if they got to pick out a few new tennis balls to bring home.

Discover your pup's breed mix, distinct traits, and genetic matches with a dog DNA kit from Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry — FREE with your first BarkBox of toys and treats (value $99).

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Did You Know: Dogs like sweets a lot more than cats do. While cats have only 473 taste buds, dogs have almost 1,700. In comparison, humans have approximately 9,000.

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! This month's theme is dogs and their furry friends. Reply to this email with the best pics of your dog with a buddy, a short description, and their name to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🥰 Spread positivity: Do you enjoy starting your day off with our community? If so, please consider forwarding this email to help us spread our love of all things dogs!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with your dog’s birthday for a surprise in your inbox!