‘Pawty’ Tips for Celebrating Your Pup

(Family Features) It’s no secret – people love their pets. Last year alone, people spent $147 billion on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association, which included throwing what has turned into one of the hottest invites on social media these days: pet parties. There have been more than 1 million posts using #DogBirthday to show off these celebrations. With dog birthday parties and adoptions being celebrated across the country, entertainment ideas can be borrowed from regular parties – but the special guests will need to be taken into account when planning a party designed for pooches. Plan a pup party with these tips from Mindy Weiss, a best-selling author and event planner for notable celebrity clients. Plan for a Place to Play When hosting a dog party, make sure there is plenty of space for the pups to play, whether it’s a fenced yard or a large indoor area. The more room they have to zoom around, the happier (and safer) everyone will be. Keep the dogs entertained with activities like a ball pit, kiddie pool or basket of tennis balls. If you’re feeling ambitious, hide treats around the yard for the dogs to find. It’s a great way to keep their tails wagging and their minds engaged while they have a blast. Personalize Party Details Subtle accents can elevate any party. Pick a theme that can come to life through the decor and details, such as a “retro dog disco,” where both the humans and dogs can dress up. Small touches like personalized dog tags or themed water bowls and dog treats can make any pet party a memorable event. Avoid Party Crashers When guests and dogs are moving indoors and out, alongside (often messy) food, flying insects will likely try to sneak their way in. That’s why no party is complete without this top pet party essential – the STEM Attracts and Traps Flying Insects Light Trap. It is people- and pet-friendly when used as directed, insecticide-free and uses a soft UV light to attract flying insects with a dual-sided, refillable cartridge to trap them. It can also be used throughout the home in kitchens, garages, around pet feeding stations and more. Remember the Pup Parents Don’t forget about the humans. While the dogs are the guests of honor, the humans might also enjoy a nibble. Consider staying on theme with mini hot dogs, bone-shaped pretzels or “pup pop” cake pops. Bring on the Besties Just like humans have best friends, dogs do too. Before sending out invites, make sure the guest list includes dogs that are friendly with your pup and play well with others. A little pre-party check can help ensure everyone has a good time. Learn more at stemforbugs.com.