Who says the Summer Olympics are just for humans? Let’s get the four-legged friends involved in the Paw Olympics! Here are some fun festivities to enjoy with Snoopy and the gang.
Animals are not the typical Olympic athletes. Horses, however, take the gold medal dating back to the ancient Greek Olympic Games from 680 BC with chariot racing. Modern Olympics now feature equestrian events. Service animals and mascots can also be seen cheering on their country or servicing an athlete at the Games. But this is not to say that cats and dogs wouldn’t like to “pawticipate” in some fun! Host the backyard event of the summer for the four-legged friends in your community, but make sure safety is always ensured.
Safety first. As we gear up for the Paw Olympics, let’s ensure the safety of all our participants. Since it is summertime, hydration is essential! Provide plenty of fresh water bowls and shade. Put out some umbrellas or a tent if you can’t access many trees. Have a quiet area for pets that might need a break from all the excitement. Ensure all pets are vaccinated and friendly. ResidentShield renter’s insurance will be there to protect against any accidental bites or injuries. Always supervise all activities to prevent accidents or overexertion.
Aesthetically pleasing. Create fun, themed invitations for both pets and their owners. Choose a date and time when most participants can attend. Use your backyard or a dog park with a safe, enclosed area. Decorate using the Olympic colors and symbols. Create a medal podium for photo opts, DIY medals, and ribbons for winners with paint and glitter. Encourage guests to get pets swagged out in Olympic-themed outfits. Channel your inner Ralph Lauren fashionista for the fur babies with a bandana or bow or a warm-up track jacket with sweatbands.
Tasty treats. Prepare some pet-friendly snacks and treats shaped like medals or Olympic rings. Have a pet-friendly cake for the pets to enjoy. Frozen fruits are a tasty and healthy treat on hot summer days. If you have a popsicle mold, make fruit ice cream treats with plain Greek yogurt, natural peanut butter, honey or maple syrup and banana. Some may have a peanut allergy, so swap the peanut butter and incorporate more fruits like blueberries or strawberries to make red, white and blue popsicles. Or freeze bone broth cubes with some cheddar cheese for a savorier treat. Provide plenty of water and ice cubes in the bowls since water will quickly heat up during the dog days of summer. Share some treat bags for guests to take home some treats and enjoy later.
May the best win. Start the pawty in fashion with a pet parade where pets can show off their costumes. Then, get active with doggie relay course races where dogs perform tasks such as sit, roll over or shake. Set up a kitty agility course with hoops, tunnels and platforms for cats to navigate. Have a frisbee catch and teach dogs to catch and return frisbees, mimicking a discus throw event. Step it up, be themed, and have the frisbees in traditional Olympic colors. Provide some cat nip plush toys for a playful wrestling match with cats. Use a soft ball for a friendly soccer game, where dogs or cats chase and “kick” the ball. Play hide and seek and hide treats around the yard for pets to find. Feature a high jump competition where you measure how high pets can jump to catch a toy or clear a bar.
If you can access a pool or pet-friendly lake, host a swimming competition with a game of fetch and Olympic-colored tennis balls. Stand-up paddle boarding would be another fun activity to channel pet-surfing or kayaking for rowing and have pets wear an Olympic-colored or themed life jacket. Always ensure all equipment and toys used are pet-safe.
After the event, provide a quiet, comfortable space for pets to cool down, rest, and recover. Keep an eye on them for any signs of exhaustion or discomfort. Share your fun and favorite Paw Olympic-inspired pet activities and moments on social media to influence more people to experience the fun-filled games!
