Pet friendly party ideas

Most pet incidents at parties come from three things: dropped food, open doors and noise. All three are fixable before the first guest arrives.

If your animal is nervous, the kindest option is a sitter or a room they never leave, not exposure therapy on a Saturday night.

Before guests arrive

• Set up a quiet room with water, a bed, a litter tray if relevant, and the door shut.
• Put a sign on it so nobody wanders in.
• Check the collar tag and microchip details are current, in case of a bolt through an open door.
• Walk or play with them properly beforehand so they arrive at the evening already tired.

Food to keep out of reach

• Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts and anything with xylitol are all toxic to dogs.
• Alcohol, coffee and cooked bones - keep glasses off low tables and clear plates fast.
• Cheese boards and cocktail sausages are the classic culprits; brief guests not to feed the dog.
• Bin bags tied and out of the house before bed.

Decorations and noise

• No balloons, poppers or confetti cannons where pets can reach or hear them.
• Keep candles, wax melts and diffusers up high - many essential oils are toxic to cats.
• Music at a level that does not carry into the quiet room.
• Fireworks: bring pets inside, close curtains, put familiar noise on and stay calm yourself.

When to arrange a sitter

• Reactive or nervous animals, or anything recovering from surgery.
• Parties with lots of children who will not read the dog's signals.
• Anything running past midnight with people coming and going.

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How to write it so it lands

• One quiet room with a sign on the door solves most problems.
• Brief guests: no feeding, no propping the front door open.
• Check the microchip details are up to date before the day.

Where to shop next

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• Pet safe birthday cake and treats
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• Pet guides
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• Photo booth prop ideas

Frequently asked questions

Are balloons safe around pets?

No. The bang frightens most animals and burst pieces are a choking and blockage risk for dogs and cats alike.

What party food is dangerous for dogs?

Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, macadamia nuts, cooked bones, alcohol and anything containing xylitol.

Should you shut a dog away during a party?

Give them a quiet room they can choose to stay in, with water and their bed. Forced socialising makes nervous dogs worse.