As millennials popularize treating dogs as children (as they should be!), it comes as no surprise that dogs are celebrated in ways they weren’t in generations prior. This means fun adoption announcements or “gotcha days”, sending them to daycare, and celebrating milestones like birthdays.

In fact, the pet industry is now capitalizing on this growing trend and supplying plenty of new ways to treat your pup to something special on his big day. However, as responsible pet parents it’s your duty to ensure that how you celebrate your dog’s birthday is safe for him. Here are several ways you can easily and safely make your dog’s birthday extra special.

Birthday Boxes Subscription boxes are all the rage and there’s certainly no shortage of them to choose from. That includes specialty subscription boxes for your dog. Companies like BarkBox and Chewy offer birthday specific boxes full of goodies and toys for your pup. You can choose the right size for your dog (small, medium, large, etc.) and customize some of the treats to suit any dietary restrictions.

And the best part is that you don’t even need a monthly subscription. Many of these companies allow you to purchase one-off boxes without the commitment of a monthly subscription. Plus, what dog doesn’t love opening gifts on his birthday?

Celebrate with Friends Throwing a birthday party for your dog may seem like a bit much, but plenty of pet owners do it. If you’re able, inviting some friends and their dogs over for a play date at your house or a dog park is a wonderful way to celebrate your dog. You can even include “doggy bags” full of goodies for your guests.

If your dog attends daycare, check with the staff about bringing in treats safe for all of your dog’s playmates.

Bake a Cake What’s a birthday without some cake? Even Buster needs some candles to blow out! Many bakeries offer dog-friendly cakes, and even ice cream shops. It’s worth exploring local businesses in your area to see what is available to you. But if you’re more hands-on and enjoy baking, the internet is full of dog-safe cakes to whip up for your pooch’s day.

Many feature carrots, bananas, and peanut butter. All great and healthy ingredients that your dog is sure to love! Just be sure to read through any recipe thoroughly to make sure it doesn’t contain any possible allergens or ingredients that may upset your dog’s digestive system.

While it may seem over the top to some, celebrating your dog’s birthday is a sweet gesture. After all, they don’t get as many as we do and each year with them is icing on the cake.