If you’re like most dog owners, you’re always on the look out for an opportunity to party with your pooch. Whether it’s chowing down on a Thanksgiving meal, building snowmen out in the snow, or exchanging valentines on Cupid’s annual holiday of love, it’s always fun to include your dog in the celebrations too. But with so few holidays in the calendar year, sometimes you need to look a little further afield for an opportunity to get your party groove on with your best canine pal. Searching for a reason to throw a party your fave pooch can tag along to? Why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your dog?
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that is observed yearly on May 5th. This particular date has been reserved as the occasion to celebrate the 1862 victory of the Mexican army over the French in the Franco-Mexican war. This triumph occurred during the Battle of Puebla.
Though the holiday traditionally belongs to the country of Mexico, it is not as often observed there. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a prominent celebration during which Mexican culture and the history of the country is showcased.
How is Cinco de Mayo Celebrated?
There are many different ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but the most common activities revolve around food, fashion, and fun. You can set the stage for an amazing party by downloading some traditional Mariachi band music for your guests to enjoy. Nothing sets the stage for a Mexican celebration than this style of music so indicative of its country. Just be sure you have a spot for a dance floor as Fido and your friends will want to cut a rug to some of Mexico’s most popular tunes!
No Cinco de Mayo party would be complete without food. There are lots of different recipes you can choose from; however, guacamole, tortilla chips, and margaritas are a must to get any Mexican-themed party started. The internet is full of excellent, authentic recipes you can try that include ingredients that are easy to source at your local grocery store.
Some people really like to go all out and deck themselves in the finest Mexican apparel they can find. Dig out that old sombrero from your last trip to Cancun, don your sandals, and your best tropical-looking shirt, and you’ll look ready to hit the beach even if the weather isn’t quite ready to cooperate!
How Can I Include My Dog in the Cinco de Mayo Festivities?
While a party seems like a must when it comes to celebrating Cinco de Mayo right, what else can you do to include your pooch in the fun?
Here is our list of fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo that include your dog.
- Prepare some traditional Mexican food.
While some Mexican foods are no-no’s for dogs such as guacamole or anything avocado or onion-based, there are lots of tasty Mexican dishes your pooch can enjoy. Why not make your dog his very own taco a la canine for him to sample? Just be sure to go easy on the meat and cheese to prevent any upset tummies.
Keep the heat to a minimum if you plan to share with your pup. Hot and spicy food can give your pooch an upset stomach and possibly lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
- Invite friends over for a party.
While it goes without saying that a party is a must to celebrate this festive holiday, why not invite some of Fido’s friends to come along too? You can even send out fun invitations to your pooch’s pals to double your fun!
Plan a few fun parlor games the dogs can enjoy such as a scavenger hunt in your backyard or crank up the tunes and let the dogs join in on the dance floor.
Be sure to leave lots of water out as partying makes Fido a very thirsty boy!
- Support a Mexican dog rescue.
Want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a way that makes a lasting difference? Why not do some research and find a Mexican dog rescue that could benefit from your donations? Every little bit helps; so even a small gift of money or a parcel of toys or food will be much appreciated. This manner of recognizing the day allows rescue dogs to benefit and gives you and Fido a feeling of satisfaction that you have done something substantial to help dogs in need.
- Learn more about a Mexican dog breed.
Believe it or not, several dog breeds trace their origins back to Mexico. While you likely already associate the Chihuahua with this country due to his frequent, endearing appearances on Taco Bell commercials, the Xoloitzcuintli is also a canine of Mexican descent.
Take some time to learn more about these two distinctive Mexican breeds and their origins. Give yourself some bonus points if you can learn how to spell the names of these two distinctive dog breeds and reward Fido with an extra treat or so too…after all, he WAS there to provide moral support for the learning process.
- Take a trip to the pet store.
Today’s dog toys are available in all shapes, sizes, and colors. And many of them even have themes! Many popular online retailers have introduced lines of dog toys focusing on items you would find in Mexico. Fido would agree that a fantastic way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo includes a trip to the pet store!
Stop in to visit your favorite pet shop to check out the Mexican-themed toys on display. Perhaps you’ll find a nice cactus, bottle of tequila, or stuffed burrito that your pooch can play with all day long. You may find that Cinco de Mayo quickly becomes your pup’s favorite holiday of all.
Yes, celebrating Cinco de Mayo can be a lot of fun. But it’s even better when Fido gets to join in too. Plan your Cinco de Mayo celebration today!
