9 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Your Pup

Sláinte! St. Paddy's Day is March 17, and there's no better time to raise a glass to your Irish roots. Over 32 million Americans claim to come from Irish ancestry, which works out to roughly a tenth of the country. With some much Irish heritage in the US, you can't escape shamrocks, leprechauns, and pints of Guinness at the start of spring. 

Pet parents often find it challenging to involve their fur-babies in St. Patrick's Day festivities. Hectic streets and noisy parades aren't ideal for skittish puppers. 

Struggling for ideas? Here are 9 ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your pup!

Consider staying home with your favorite drinking buddy and a couple of beers if you're planning a low-key St. Patrick's Day. Of course, your pup won't be able to indulge in your run-of-the-mill ale, as alcohol is poisonous to dogs. 

Luckily, there are loads of doggy beers on the market for your mutt to enjoy. Doggy beer is a novelty, but it doesn't contain alcohol and it isn't carbonated, so it's safe for dogs. For example, Busch's "Dog Brew" is made from bone broth. 

So, if you don't fancy going out this St. Paddy's Day, relax on the couch, crack open a couple of cold ones, and watch the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade. You can even tune in to the Dublin parade online!

A fun activity for the whole family on St. Paddy's Day is to bake some festive treats for your fur-baby. There are plenty of ways you could "Irishify" your dog's treats. 

You could keep it simple by making regular treats and cutting them into festive shapes like leprechaun hats or clovers. You can create clovers by using a bone-shaped cookie cutter and combining two cookies. Check out DogTipper’s recipe to see how. 

Or, you could try adding Irish dishes into your treats. Colcannon, a classic Irish side dish made of cabbage and potato, would be safe to incorporate into your dog's treats. But be warned — cabbage might make your dog gassy!

If your doggo loves to play dress-up, organize a St. Paddy's Day photoshoot! Photoshoots are an adorable way to make memories with your woofer. 

Dressing up your dog for St. Patrick's Day is easy — head to your local pet store, and you'll undoubtedly find some mini hats and leprechaun vests for your dog to wear. You could hire a professional photographer, or save money by taking the pics yourself.

Depending on local laws, you might be able to take your dog to your local St. Patrick's Day parade. Social puppers love St. Patrick's Day parades, from the smell of the food stalls to meeting friendly revelers.

Before taking your pup to a St. Patrick's Day parade, consider your dog's temperament. If your dog gets overwhelmed by large crowds, try to find a small or relatively low-key event.

Also, be sure to brush up on your dog's training. Your dog should be calm around strangers, other dogs, and loud noises. They should also know how to come when called and heel.

If you live in a big city like San Francisco or New York, you're probably aware of a dog-friendly bar or two. Many Irish pubs welcome dogs with wagging tails, so ask around your local establishments in advance to see if you can bring along your pup on St. Paddy's Day. 

St. Paddy's Day is big business for Irish pubs, so book a table well in advance if you can. This way, your dog has somewhere they can escape the rowdy festivities. As with taking your dog to a parade, they should be well behaved around strangers, large crowds, and loud noises.

Not every St. Paddy's Day activity has to be themed. One memorable way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your dog is to visit a nearby state park. 

A trip with your pup to a state park is a safe way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day while avoiding large crowds of people. Many state parks allow pups on their trail system, while others let dogs roam free. No two state parks are the same, so do your research to ensure you respect the park rules.

If you're not big on celebrating St. Paddy's Day and you're looking for a small gesture to get your pup in the spirit, consider buying some themed toys. 

Make a quick trip to your local pet store and bring Luna along. Most pet stores allow dogs inside. Take your pupper to the toy aisle and let them pick out a St. Paddy's Day treat. If your dog doesn't pick out a St. Patrick's Day-themed toy, buy one for when they get home.

Throw a small St. Patrick's Day party for your pup and their furry friends. You can invite dogs from the neighborhood or your pooch's favorite playmate from the dog park. 

Set up a treats table complete with doggy beer and St. Paddy's Day-themed treats. You could even organize some fun dog-friendly games, like an obstacle course.

According to the Irish Kennel Club, there are 9 dog breeds native to Ireland. So, if you think your pup might be part Irish Wolfhound or Red Setter, give them an ancestry test! 

It's surprisingly easy to give your dog a DNA test — you can buy kits from most major online retailers. One popular brand, Embark, screens for over 350 dog breeds and is considered one of the most accurate tests commercially available.