My dog gets a homemade peanut butter cake and all his friends have a play date in our fenced back yard. The kids and parents who belong to the dogs come and have a great time with all of that puppy power. But my dog hates his birthday hat. Maybe because it's cone shaped and reminds him of the vet?

I will tell my cat happy birthday and pet her a bit more but otherwise nothing special. Just as she gets nothing for Christmas. She's a cat and doesn't know.

I get my chihuahuas tacos. No lie.

Of course we celebrate dog and cat birthdays in our house. They don't know the day, but it always makes me feel good to give them a little extra for all they bring to our lives. Usually it's no big deal- a new toy, special treat (we've even wrapped toys they already had so they have the fun of unwrapping), but it's nice that they have a little bit of extra fun now and then.

I figure if I have to indulge my 43 year old, self entered b*tch of a coworker by having cake, signing a card and wasting my lunch hour on an adult who really doesn't need the attention, I can lavish my pet, who deserves it.

My dog was a stray before he was adopted, so we got to make up a birthday. We chose Feb. because it's a month of the year that seems to last forever, IMO, and we thought the birthday would break it up. When my kids were little we'd do a cake with candles, or something like that, and I'd usually buy him a fresh packet of marrow bones. Now that they're older, it tends to get forgotten. So far, he hasn't reminded me. I guess he's like me. Birthdays were awesome when I was young but now I'd kind of rather forget about them.

Anonymous wrote:OP - We have two German Shepherds. Other dogs may not understand or deserve Birthday celebrations, but GSDs are different! (Kidding....sort of ).

We always have a little party for ours! They get a piece of cake and a new toy. It's more for us than for them. They get really excited when they get a new toy no matter what the occasion. And yes, bitter PPs...Santa does bring our GSDs treats and toys. Our kids would be sad if the dogs were left out.

Some [like GSD's] seem to have an awareness. 1 lab hated hats but if everyone had on a kiddie birthday party hat she would wear it. My dog would be sad if everyone got a gift and nothing for him. He knows stuff comes in amazon boxes.

Oldest cat was born on October 1 - he's my "little fiscal year", LOL! Fed coworkers always remember his birthday.

Other cat was born on my birthday. Family and friends always remember her birthday.

I don't do anything special for their birthdays, but receive a number of email birthday congrats from above.

I have cake on my cat's birthday. I don't actually know when her birthday is but was told it's in the fall. My deceased dad's birthday was Sept 11 so I assigned that as the cat's birthday and I have cake in memory of my dad and in honor of my cat. She'll usually get extra treats that day.

What I don't understand about Americans and their pets is the desire to dress them in "clothes". They have FUR.

Of course! Special treat, a toy, and the birthday song.

Another crazy dog lover here. In my defense I grew up in a house where it was completely normal to celebrate dog birthdays and/or coming home anniversaries ("Gotcha Day").
One dog has an actual known birthday and one has a Gotcha Day. They might get some extra treats or a new toy. DD thinks it's fabulous

OP - We have two German Shepherds. Other dogs may not understand or deserve Birthday celebrations, but GSDs are different! (Kidding....sort of ).

We always have a little party for ours! They get a piece of cake and a new toy. It's more for us than for them. They get really excited when they get a new toy no matter what the occasion. And yes, bitter PPs...Santa does bring our GSDs treats and toys. Our kids would be sad if the dogs were left out.

I don't have pets, but man, I don't know how cat people get a bad rep as "crazy." Dog people clearly have cat people far outdone on their pet obsessive craziness.

Well much as I love my kitty cat I am aware that she has no understanding of the concept of birthdays or celebration. I try to treat her with love and kindness every day. Birthdays are for PEOPLE, people!

I used to with my first dog, then I did with my 2nd dog, but it was more last minute.....now with dog number 3 and a human 2yo I can barely remember his birthday month.