Throwing Your Shih Tzu The Ultimate Puppy First Birthday Party

The Ultimate Puppy First Birthday Party     By Karol King   |Updated 06-21-2022

Business Wire reports that 30% of dog owners celebrate their pet’s birthday each year. 

And there’s no better way to mark your Shih Tzu’s first birthday than by throwing a big festive party to celebrate. Your pint-sized pooch will love nothing more than being the center of attention and enjoying a day packed full of fun.

But, how do you ensure that your beloved Shih Tzu has the best first birthday party possible?

Invite Your Shih Tzu’s Furry Friends 

Invite your Shih Tzu’s furry friends round.

Your playful and confident pooch is sure to have several doggy friends that you can invite to his or her first birthday party. As socialization with other dogs is crucial for a Shih Tzu's development, make sure you send out personalized invites in plenty of time.

However, to prevent the party from becoming too chaotic, consider inviting your Shih Tzu's closest doggy pals only. This way you can be sure your pooch gets all the attention he or she deserves on their big day.

Decorate the Venue for that Special Puppy First Birthday Party

Decorations are an essential part of any dog’s first birthday party. Your Shih Tzu is sure to love running through a mountain of balloons in striking colors.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to hang banners and bunting on the walls. And how about some incorporating some doggy paw prints on the pathway leading up to your home so that every guest knows where to go?

Regardless of which decorations you choose, always opt for dog-friendly decorations, to prevent accidents such as accidental ingestion from spoiling the party.

The Ultimate Puppy First Birthday Party is Not Complete Without Scrumptious Food

No Shih Tzu’s first birthday party is complete without good food, treats, and cake. Fresh fruit and vegetables, such as carrot sticks, banana slices, and blueberries make the perfect doggy snacks. However, you should always ensure the food you're serving is dog-friendly. 

Vegetables Your Dogs Can and Cannot Eat

Fruits Your Dog Can and Cannot Eat

If you are unsure about safe things to give your dog, you should become familiar with those toxic foods and nonfood items that dogs should never ingest.

The Puppy First Birthday Party Cake

Meanwhile, your Shih Tzu deserves to mark his or her first birthday in style, so don't forget to organize or bake an impressive cake that can be shared with all the dogs at the party.

Celebratory treats for pooches are typically made from peanut butter, flour, eggs, and carob, and can be created in any design that you want. 

So, why not treat the birthday boy or girl to their very own Shih Tzu themed cake?

Cake Ingredients

1½  cups coconut flour

3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

2 tablespoons water

¼ cup blueberries

2 eggs

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon applesauce (if you have a dog with a sweet tooth) This just adds a slight more sweetness

Frosting Ingredients

¾ cup sugar-free strawberry, blueberry, or plain yogurt 

2 tablespoons honey

Fresh Strawberries, Raspberries, Banana Slices and/or Blueberries as a Garnish

Directions for Birthday Cake and Frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease a four inch round or loaf pan with coconut oil. Flour lightly with coconut flour.
2. Melt coconut oil.  Beat eggs, then mix together honey, coconut oil, water, and eggs.
3. Stir in the coconut flour until the batter is smooth.
4. Fold in the blueberries.
5. Add applesauce if desired
6. Press into a four inch round pound or small loaf pans.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and let cool.

When completely cooled, mix honey and yogurt in a small bowl.  Frost cake with the yogurt mixture. Decorate with fruit and/or birthday candles.

**The humans that sampled this cake decided it was very bland, but the dogs loved it and licked the plate clean.

Entertainment is Crucial

It's important not to forget that your loyal Shih Tzu will want to have fun as they celebrate their first birthday. It's, therefore, your job to organize the best hound-friendly entertainment in town.

An agility course is a great way for all the dogs in attendance to burn off some energy and show off their skills. But, you should also consider water sports and even a fancy dress competition where the best-dressed pooch wins a prize.

Hiring a photo booth complete with props is a smart move if both owners and dogs are staying for the party as it will allow plenty of memorable snaps to be taken of your Shih Tzu’s big day.

Your Shih Tzu’s first birthday is one that you and your pet will never forget. So, to ensure it goes off with a bang, you need to invest time and plenty of enthusiasm into creating the perfect party.

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A Family That Never Misses a Birthday Celebration

There's no need to stop at the first birthday celebration.  Here is Abby celebrating her second birthday, thanks to her mom, Cindy.

Here she is on her fourth birthday party.  She looks like an old pro at this, doesn't she?

Here are some more tips from experts on hosting a pet birthday party.

Author Bio

Karol is animal lover who has dedicated her life to helping dogs to find a safe and happy home. She now works as a freelance writer, which is her passion, and has the freedom to spend more time at home with her wonderful family.

About Janice

Janice is the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu. Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, she served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu.

When not writing, reading, or researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, her husband, and her family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Small Dog Place and smart knit crocheting.