Are you a proud dog parent who loves celebrating special occasions with your furry friend?
Well, get ready to break out the green because St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with your four-legged companion!
From dressing up in festive gear to indulging in some delicious treats, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this Irish holiday with your canine companion.
In this article, we’ll share nine fun and exciting ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your dog, so get ready to sham-rock and roll!
Style Your Pup in a Green Bandana
Dressing up your dog in a green bandana for St. Patrick’s Day can be a fun way to celebrate the holiday that won’t put your pup out.
Not all dogs like dressing up, but a bandana is a safe, non-invasive accessory that can add a festive spirit to your dog’s look without stressing them out.
Plan a Dog-Friendly Pub Crawl
If your dog is easygoing and social, check with local dog-friendly restaurants, bars, or breweries to see if they have any St. Patrick’s Day events or specials.
Plan a fun pub crawl with your dog, and don’t forget to order a non-alcoholic dog beer or dog-friendly treat for your furry friend!
Color Your Dog Irish
If you have a white or light-colored dog, consider using dog-safe hair dyes to color your pup green so they can experience some luck of the Irish!
Remember that this isn’t the best idea for dogs with ultra-sensitive skin, as some dyes can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions if your dog struggles with skin sensitivity.
Instead, use pet-friendly accessories like collars or leashes with a St. Patrick’s Day theme or green color!
Serve Your Pup a Pint of Dog Beer
While you’re out on your pub crawl, don’t forget to let your dog indulge with some dog beer!
Dog beer is a non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverage explicitly designed for dogs to enjoy.
It’s usually made with dog-friendly ingredients such as beef or chicken broth and may contain added vitamins and minerals.
You can usually find dog beer at pet stores or make your own DIY homemade dog beer with this recipe!
Don’t feed your dog actual beer – it’ll upset their tummies!
As a bonus activity on St. Patty’s day, consider teaching your dog how to fetch you a beer from the fridge!
Play “Hide the Shamrock”
Playing a “hide the shamrock” game is a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your dog, providing a great dose of mental and physical stimulation!
In this game, you hide shamrocks around the house with hot dog pieces underneath them for a fun dog scavenger hunt.
To get started, you’ll need to gather some shamrock shapes (which you can find at a hobby store or make your own with cardboard cutouts) and some small pieces of hot dog (or other treats if your dog has dietary restrictions).
Hide the shamrocks and hot dog pieces around the house, placing them in locations where your dog can easily find them while still providing some level of challenge. Your dog should be in a crate, behind a gate, or in a solid “stay” while you hide the items.
Please keep track of how many shamrocks you hide so you don’t miss any when cleaning up.
When you’re finished hiding the shamrocks, release your dog and let them start searching for the shamrocks! When they find a shamrock and eat the hot dog piece, give them plenty of praise so they keep at it! Some dogs might need some hints or guidance – especially if it’s their first time doing a scavenger hunt.
For a better idea of how this game works, check out our full video on dog scavenger hunts!
Cook Up Some Doggy-Friendly Hash
Making a dog-friendly hash is a great way to incorporate some nutritious and tasty ingredients into your dog’s diet while celebrating St.Patty’s day the Irish way!
Here’s a simple recipe for making a dog-friendly hash:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
- 2 cups diced sweet potato
- 1 cup diced zucchini
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen green beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey or chicken to the skillet and cook until browned.
- Add the sweet potato, zucchini, carrots, and frozen green beans to the skillet, and stir to combine.
- Continue cooking until the vegetables are tender.
- Allow the hash to cool before serving it to your dog. As a bonus, portion out the canine hash into dog freezer toys, then freeze them for a delicious snack later in the day!
Host a St. Patrick’s Day Dog Parade
Gather some fellow dog owners and their pups and host a dog parade in your local park or neighborhood. Encourage everyone to dress their dogs up in green and decorate their leashes or collars with St. Patrick’s Day-themed accessories!
You might even vote on which pup has the most Irish spirit and reward the winner with a special treat.
For more fun, you’ll also want to set up a fun and festive photo booth for your dog and snap some adorable photos of them in their St. Patrick’s Day outfits or accessories.
You can use props like shamrocks, leprechaun hats, or green bow ties.
Go On a Green-Themed Dog Walk
Take your dog on a green-themed walk, where you explore the outdoors and look for greenery or objects to sniff or play with. You can even hide some treats or toys for your dog to find.
Watch a Dog-friendly Irish Movie
To wind down at the end of a long day of celebrating, snuggle up with your pup and watch a dog-friendly Irish movie together, like “The Secret of Kells,” “Róise & Frank,” or “Greyfriars Bobby.”
Any other ideas for fun ways to celebrate St.Patty’s day with your pet? Share your idea in the comments!
