(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.

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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.

SOURCE:
STEM

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

PORTLAND, Ore. /PRNewswire/ — The Dyrt, the No. 1 app for camping availability, photos and reviews, has announced the Top 9 for K-9s: The Most Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in The U.S. for 2024. Camping is for the dogs, and we mean that in the best way possible. According to The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report presented by The All-New Toyota Tacoma, more than half of campers (53.7%) brought their four-legged friends along with them in 2023.

Top 9 for K-9s: The Most Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in The U.S.

The Dyrt also found that 46.8% of campers list RVing as their primary camping type. If you think about it, it’s a perfect match. All the comforts of home and your best buddy, or buddies, traveling comfortably alongside you. No surprise then that five of the nine campgrounds in the Top 9 for K-9s cater primarily to RVs.

Speaking of being catered to, the No. 1 campground this year is 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Yes, “Dog” is right there in the name. This property truly prioritizes pampering pooches, right down to not allowing any humans under the age of 18 for optimal relaxation and minimal fur tugging. 4 Paws is set on nine acres and some of the individual campsites even have fenced-in yards.

“People love camping for a lot of the same reasons that dogs love camping,” says Sarah Smith, founder of The Dyrt. “You get out of the house, immerse yourself in nature, explore, see some wildlife, sit by a fire, sleep in the great outdoors. When we take Brandy (aka The Dyrt Dog) camping with us, I know she’s having as much fun as we are.”

Top 9 for K-9s is the official close to The Dyrt awards season, which started with The Glampys and was followed by the Best Places to Camp Regional and National awards, presented by Toyota Tacoma, and the Best Places to RV presented by State Farm.

Using AI to sift through The Dyrt’s millions of user-generated reviews, photos and tips of U.S. campgrounds, we identified campgrounds that were not just dog-friendly, but dog-welcoming. They are ranked based on reviews, photos, accommodations and amenities offered. Here’s to the dog days of summer! Who wants to go for a ride?!

1. 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat — North Carolina: Doggy heaven on Earth
2. Wagonhammer RV Park & Campground — Idaho: Welcome to off-leash island
3. Lake George RV Park — New York: Bark Park hits the mark
4. Alum Creek State Park — Ohio: Fenced-in fields for big and small dogs
5. Tahoe Valley Campground — California: Dogs want to go to Tahoe too
6. Campground at James Island County Park — South Carolina: 643 acres of exploring
7. Chatfield State Park — Colorado: 69-acre, fenced-in dog park
8. First Landing State Park — Virginia: 20 miles of trails and Chesapeake Bay beach
9. Santa Fe Skies RV Park — New Mexico: Trails, a dog park and unmatched mountain views

All nine campgrounds earned positive reviews from The Dyrt campers, a group which is becoming more proactive in seeking out campgrounds that meet their needs as pet owners. The 2024 Camping Report found that when it came to adding amenities, the only things property owners added more than dog parks were Wi-Fi and pickleball courts.

“We’ve never been to a park like this one and highly recommend it if you can get in,” says The Dyrt camper Gabi B. about top-ranked 4 Paws Kingdom. “We’ll be back for sure!”

About The Dyrt

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The Dyrt is the most comprehensive camping resource with millions of user-generated reviews, photos and tips for every RV site, cabin, glamping and tent camping location, including all public, private and free camping areas in the United States. The Dyrt is how campers search, save and book camping of any type anywhere in the U.S. With The Dyrt PRO, campers get reservations at sold-out campgrounds, advanced maps, discounts on camping and more. The Dyrt is the No. 1 camping app and receives more than 30 million visits from campers each year because The Dyrt has it all. www.thedyrt.com

SOURCE The Dyrt

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

Summer is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate the season and National Dog Day than with the ultimate treat for both you and your canine companion! Mars, a leader in creating delicious treats for both pets and people, is marking this special day with the introduction of the “Mars Summer Treat Pack.” On Monday, August 26, Mars celebrates the 25th anniversary of its M&M’s Ice Cream and National Dog Day by offering these delightful treat packs absolutely free to fans and their four-legged friends, while supplies last.

A Sweet Deal for Pet Parents and Pups

The “Mars Summer Treat Pack” features a delicious combo: creamy, decadent M&M’S Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches for the humans, and tasty, teeth-cleaning GREENIES™ Dental Treats for the dogs. It’s the perfect way to enjoy some quality time with your pup while keeping cool and satisfied during the hot summer days.

Shaf Lalani, General Manager at Mars Ice Cream, elaborates on the celebration, “What better way to celebrate 25 years of delicious M&M’S Ice Cream and National Dog Day than treating both pet parents and their canine companions to free summer treats. The ‘Mars Summer Treat Pack’ combines two fan-favorites from our portfolio to help pet parents inspire moments of happiness with their dogs.”

How to Get Your Paws on These Treats

Leading up to National Dog Day, if you’re in New York City, don’t miss the “Mars Summer Treat Pack” truck! On Saturday, August 24, the truck will be making stops at Tompkins Square Park at 11:30 a.m. ET, and later at Union Square Park around 3:30 p.m. ET. Be sure to swing by to grab your scrumptious treats-for-two in person.

On the big day itself, August 26, Mars partners with Fooji to extend this special offering nationwide. Pet parents can visit MarsSummerTreatPack.com starting at 10:00 a.m. ET to claim their free “Mars Summer Treat Pack.” For residents in Chicago, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City, enjoy the added perk of special same-day delivery. Remember, it’s while supplies last, so be quick to secure your summer treat pack!

Celebrate and Share Your Sweet Moments

We’d love to see how you and your furry friend are enjoying these delightful treats. Share your moments of summer fun and bonding with your dog by tagging #TreatedByMars on social media.

For more insights into M&M’S Ice Cream, check out MMS.com/mms-ice-cream or follow @mmschocolate. To explore more about GREENIES™, visit GREENIES.com or follow @greenies on social media. As Mars Petcare continues on its mission to create A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS, you can learn more about their efforts and initiatives at https://www.mars.com/our-brands/petcare.

This National Dog Day, embrace the joy of summer with a special treat from Mars that celebrates the love and fun you share with your furry best friend. Happy treating!

https://marssummertreatpack.com/#campaign-teaser

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ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global, family-owned business, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving to make a positive impact on the world.

Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality confectionery, food, and pet care products and services, we employ 140,000+ dedicated Associates. With more than $47 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including Ben’s Original™, CESAR®, Cocoavia®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, KIND®, M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN® and WHISKAS®. We are creating a better world for pets through our global network of pet hospitals and diagnostic services – including AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, Linnaeus and VCA™ – using cutting edge technology to develop breakthrough programs in genetic health screening and DNA testing.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

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