Plan an Easter Egg Hunt for Fido

Posted by Jessica Roberts

What better way to celebrate spring than with a festive Easter Egg Hunt for your dog? It’s an opportunity to get out, enjoy the fresh air, and try an enriching activity that’s good for your pup. These tips will help you plan the "pawfect" egg hunt for Fido and his friends!

Pick a Location

Release the hounds! Photo by Pixabay/Spiritze

Whether you’re planning a large dog-friendly Easter extravaganza or a small-but-spirited hunt at home for the pups in your family, you’ll need to choose a location to hide the eggs. Pick a space that is large enough to spread the goodies out, but not too large that pups get distracted from the search. You’ll also want a spot with clearly defined boundaries away from the road and other hazards. If you want your pets to seek off-leash, a fenced area is a must-have. For an indoor option, reach out to a local doggy daycare or indoor dog park to reserve an area in the facility for a few hours. Doggos Dog Park & Pub in Greensboro, NC, is a perfect example of a dog park with a “Private Pawty Space” available to rent.

Get Festive

Don’t worry, be hoppy. Photo by BringFido

When it comes to Easter egg hunts, much of the fun is in the details. A few festive decorations and puppy accessories will only enhance the ambiance. This Frisco Easter basket toy could double as festive table decor, and your guests will adore bringing home their very own Peeps pet toy. It’s also the perfect opportunity to debut some of Fido’s fanciest spring fashions. Be sure to supply baskets for each “pawticipant” to store her goodies.

Stock Up on Eggs

An Easter basket filled with love! Photo Photo by Facebook.com/snackinwaggin

The best fillable plastic eggs to use for a dog-friendly egg hunt have holes to allow the scent to escape. While chocolate is obviously out, you do have lots of options when it comes to stuffing the eggs. Choose scented treats like bacon, dog-friendly jerky, or peanut butter treats to ensure all the eggs are found. You could also let your pups seek out real hard-boiled eggs, as the entire egg, including the shell, is safe for dogs.

Ready, Set, Hunt!

You’re a good egg, Fido. Photo by Hyperbole

Even the friendliest dogs who have been socialized together can be food aggressive around high-value treats, so keeping everyone on a leash is the smartest way to have a safe and fun multi-dog Easter egg hunt. For a smaller group, let the pups take turns hunting their eggs while their friends on two legs and four wait their turns outside the area. If your dog is a strong chewer, it's probably best to skip the plastic eggs and just hide the treats, or be sure to stay close by and open the eggs as soon as he’s discovered them. If Fido is trying to cut back on treats this spring, hide this Easter Bunny and egg rope dog toy instead!

Offer Party Snacks

These Easter treats have gone to the dogs. Photo by Facebook.com/Woofgangbakeryabacoa

Fido and friends are sure to work up an appetite while hunting for all those Easter eggs! Supply some on-theme goodies for the hardworking pups, like these DIY Easter dog treats. If you prefer to let someone else do the cooking, many dog bakeries carry seasonal or personalized goodies. The Hungry Hound in Somerville, NJ, even offers doggy Easter baskets filled with special snacks for the season.

Document the Fun

“Spending Easter with the cutest chicks I know.” Photo by Facebook.com/jaxbark

Don’t forget to capture the memories with lots of pictures and videos! Designate a photo space for people and their dogs with a festive backdrop like this one, and have some fun props available. While a giant bunny costume is entirely optional, it’s highly recommended. Want to open your dog-friendly Easter egg hunt to the community? The Post a Spot feature on BringFido allows users to share pet-friendly events, places to stay, activities, and restaurants.

Are you hosting a dog-friendly Easter event? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by iStock/kiko_jimenez.