The big game is coming! Regardless of what team you are cheering for or if you are into football or not…there are ways your pooches can celebrate the pigskin in a safe, fun, and enjoyable way. Fidose of Reality proudly presents your down by down play book for the Ultimate Super Bowl Game Day for Dogs!!
Penalties: Things NOT To Do With Dogs Around
Noise: If you are having a Super Bowl get together, ask your guests to keep the screaming at the screen to a minimum. It has been scientifically proven that dogs can hear much better than we can. Dogs have the ability to hear at higher frequencies, too. Sudden loud noises or yelling by strangers at a bright box (the television) will be confusing and disturbing for dogs. This applies to noise makers and horns, too.
Open Doorways: With guests coming and going, dogs might decide to bolt. Many dogs will not run away and are trained to stay inside, but use caution with guests as they arrive and depart. A sudden increase in foot traffic may cause some dogs to get nervous.
Offsides: Apparel for Dogs
This time of year, stores and online shops are filled with football jerseys and cute little pigskin pooch outfits. Some dogs are simply not into wearing clothes, especially if they don’t wear them the rest of the year. Consider a team collar or leash or even a bandanna worn under supervision. For dogs, like our Dexter, who don’t mind the apparel, have fun and get those selfies online!
2-Point Conversion: Safety
Prying eyes and paws are likely to try and sneak snacks for their own “quarterback keeper” game play. If you are serving a buffet to guests, consider keeping the food high up and in one room. While guests are snacking and munching on game time favorites, keep your dog(s) clear of any snack attacks.
Inform guests that dogs are not to get table food or snacks from the adult buffet.
Roughing the Passer: Beware
Aside from the usual suspects of food that dogs should not eat, one of the items that makes its presence known at Super Bowl parties is guacamole, which is contains avocados. Avocados can be toxic to pets, though the exact amount is unclear. It is best to keep dogs away from guac.
Two big liquid no no’s also include alcohol and caffeine. Ask guests to keep their liquid beverages out of Fido’s reach.
Wings are an all-time favorite on game day but do NOT give them to dogs. In an article for petMD on Super Bowl foods not to give your dog, Dr. Ernie Ward, founder and President of Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, shared, “One buffalo wing has almost 160 to 200 mg of sodium…. “That’s about the amount of sodium recommended for a 20-pound dog in a day. Feeding a dog too much salt can cause high blood pressure and can contribute to kidney and heart disease.”
Halftime Fun: Food
Fortunately, there are plenty of fun ways to engage dogs in Super Bowl Sunday and have a party of your own! If you are anything like me, you love to treat your dog and splurge from time to time (some of us more than others, present company included). Here are ideas for what to feed Fido and his football fan friends for Super Bowl fun:
Rachael Ray’s Quiche for Dogs: Anyone who knows me and/or follows this blog knows I am far from the world’s greatest cook. My dog, Dexter, has tried this quiche recipe thanks to his Auntie Christine Aiello, and he ruffs it. This is great for a treat, but always be sure the ingredients are those your dog can tolerate and won’t cause digestive upset. It makes a nice serving and people can enjoy it, too. (it’s a little flat for my palate, but my dog loves it)
Dog Anise Football Cookies: My pooch loves anise cookies, and this is a fun alternative to the human version. Best of all, they are shaped like footballs and you can have fun decorating them to look like the real thing!
Bowser Beer: I had to see this one to believe it, but it does exist: Fake beer for dogs! It is made from broth from real meat and contains no salt, and the company says that dogs love it.
Marvelous Mutt Meatballs: People have finger foods, and so shall the dogs. These muttballs from dog pro, Arden Moore, serve up a hearty portion for snack time.
Carrot Delight Dog Treat Recipes: My good buddy, Amy Tokic, crafted this recipe that uses a variety of ingredients to both fill dogs up and please their palates.
Grain Free No Bake Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats: If your dog can’t do grains or perhaps you just don’t like baking (hello, that’s me), this is a yummy and easy-to-prepare treat for dogs for which Jodi from Kol’s Notes gets four paws up from our doghouse!
Avoid Injuries
With Super Bowl fever in the air, one of the worst things that can happen to a football player who is headed for the big game is to be sidelined due to injury. Humans are not alone in their propensity to injury, whether competing in a stadium or a light game of touch football. Dogs, too, suffer injuries the same as or very similar to those of professional football players.
Become as well versed of a dog parent as you can and check out Six Football Injuries Dogs Can Get.
Puppy Bowl
If watching puppies traipse up and down the “stadium” field is more your style, then you must watch the With dozens of puppies participating in Puppy Bowl XII, tune in to Animal Planet at 3 pm EST on February 7th to watch funny antics, cuteness with no offsides called, and plenty of water bowl cams in action. If you’ve never seen the Puppy Bowl, we double dog dare you not to make this a yearly event!
What are you doing for Super Bowl Sunday? And are you more excited for Super Bowl or Puppy Bowl?
Carol Bryant
A dog lover of the highest order is how Gayle King introduced Carol Bryant, when she appeared with her Cocker Spaniel on Oprah Radio’s Gayle King show to dish dogs. Carol created and owns the trademark, My Heart Beats Dog® and lives that mantra. A 30-year veteran of the dog world, she is President of the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) and the 2020 DWAA winner for Best Dog Blog.
We are all about the super bowl in our house. We have people over and will be having fun eating & watching the commercials.
That sounds fun, Robin. Does your dog get in on the fun?
We are definitely planning on watching the Superbowl. My daughter was born at halftime on Superbowl Sunday 02/06/05 – she did her dad a huge favor. We always refer to the Superbowl as the SephoraBowl. And I love these tips – one of our dogs has a medical condition that worsens quickly with stress so that always has to be kept in mind.
I am so glad these tips helped. LOL SephoraBowl – how cute is that!
Oh My those outfits are too cute. Love the cheerleading ones. One of our cats loves to sit in the chair nest todad to watch sports.
How cute is that!
Oh my dawg you guys look like you are all set!!
Lily & Edward
Thanks, are you ready for the big game?
We don’t have dogs….but this is a pretty cute post. Guess they didn’t mind the jersey’s??
Dex is so used to it that he even helps me get him dressed hehe
We have been invited to a friends for the big game and I’m so glad we are not hosting the party. We have a little cocker spaniel named Bella and she is pretty high strung. I usually make arrangements at the sitter for her as she likes to be involved in everything we do and is not happy to be shut away in another part of the house. She has no clue it’s for her own good, poor thing. Love the doggy outfits, she would look adorable in any of them!!!
That is such a good idea for your dog to be where she can be calm and relaxed while the party goes on! Have a blast!
What a cute and fun way to get the pets involved in game day! I’m not one for dressing up my beefy dog, those outfits are adorable!
We will definitely be watching the game and the puppy bowl. Now I want to go buy the boys some super bowl clothes! LOL ☺
Hut hut hike and go have some fun and share pics!
Those doggie outfits are adorable lol I don’t think I’m going to get my 200lb St Bernard into one of those very easily, but he’ll still be enjoying the Super Bowl with the family! lol
Your St Bernard could be a linebacker for sure, Jessica 😉
I had no idea that avocado was toxic to dogs.
none. I am going to have to make sure my friend knows. They Love Avocado and eat it often.
Learn something new every day!
Yes and it can be very toxic
Can’t wait for the puppy bowl, I get puppy fever ever year so this is my fix! You make the Super Bowl look likes so much more fun the football! lol Can’t wait to share this, great post!!
Thanks SO much – appreciate that. We love Puppy Bowl and go into lockdown mode on Super Bowl Sunday!
Oh my goodness, love the outfits especially the cheerleaders! Now throw the ball so the dogs can play!
Hahahah okie dokie – just did – thanks for stopping by!
These dogs are just too adorable! I want to find a doggy jersey for my dog now!
I have seen quite a few in PetSmart – have fun! Share a pic with us on our Facebook if you wind up getting your doggy a jersey! 😉
Looks like super fun!
—Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
What a great post, so informative & fun, I love it! I’m definitely trying out some of these great recipies, especially that peanut butter & pumpkin one, my dogs love peanut butter & pumpkin!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Fantastic – let me know how the treats turn out and have fun!
We will be having a few friends over and will be cooking. The dogs will be involved as just pets of course but we’re all going to have fun.
I love your dog and so happy to see you here!
We are not having a super bowl party for this reason. Our dogs could not handle the stress
You are a good mama to realize that and not have the party.
Oh my goodness the pictures are fun and they are awesome!! That’s the way to bring on game day, let me tell ya! 🙂
OH my goodness, that referee shirt for dogs is super cute! I could so see my dog in that for the Super Bowl party we have planned.
That’s a great tip about the yelling! Poor little fur babies ears!
Loved all the picture and great blog! Thanks for all the tips! Schooner and Skipper will be on the couch with us watching the commercials. They will have all of their footballs out to play catching a pass and chase me around the house to tackle them. We will have some snacks to eat.
Adorable photos!!! Happy Puppy (Super) Bowl Sunday!
I never thought about dogs and the Superbowl. The tips you shared here are terrific ones for having big events at home when our pets are present.
This is a fun post. I’m not really into the Super Bowl myself, but I am thinking of doing something dog-themed to accompany the event this year. Probably more of a Puppy Bowl gal. 🙂