How to Host An Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs (& Free Printable Sign)

Serena Faber Nelson Founder & Pet Lifestyle Writer

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.

Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

Is it just us, or does an Easter egg hunt for dogs sound like THE most dog-friendly fun you can have at Easter?

Dogs love to sniff and explore…it’s an egg-cellent enrichment activity for them, not to mention part of their natural canine instincts.

And anyway, who says Easter egg hunts are just for kids only? Dogs love searching out hidden tasty treasures around your home or yard just as much.

Think of your dog-friendly Easter egg hunt as a fun dog enrichment game your pup will LOVE, while you get to sit back and watch the entertainment unfold (while you’re chowing down on your own choccy eggs of course!)

If you’re thinking of hosting a dog Easter egg hunt (whether it’s for your pup only or all your dog’s besties!) here’s a few handy tips to make it a fun, safe and hoppy day to remember.

And don’t forget to download our free printable Easter egg hunt sign below!

RELATED: Free Printable Easter Bunny Dog Bunting

How to Host an Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs in 4 Steps

#1: Prepare the dog treats for your Easter egg hunt

Let’s get this out of the way first: never give chocolate to your dog.

Chocolate isn’t safe for dogs as it contains a compound called theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. It can make your pup very sick and cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. So steer clear!

Having said that, you can give your pupper dog-safe chocolate. We’re talking about none other than carob chocolate for dogs – perfect for making homemade dog Easter eggs!

Here are some more fun and delicious Easter dog treat recipes that are perfect for your dog Easter egg hunt:

• DIY Bunny Face Dog Easter Biscuits – shaped like a bunny and SO cute!
• Homemade Easter Egg Dog Cookies – if you love colourful Easter eggs!
• Oven-baked homemade liver dog treats
• A small amount of peanut butter in a hidden or homemade apple Kong dog toy
• Your choice of quality dog treats
• Small pieces of cooked chicken, cabanossi or cheese

#2: Let’s decorate! Get your free Easter egg hunt printable sign

Just like any celebration, your Easter Egg hunt needs a few fun and festive decorations to get everyone egg-cited!

Did we mention these decoration ideas are SO easy and inexpensive too…?

• First, download our free Easter Egg Hunt printable sign below. Print on an A4 sheet of card paper and place it in your yard.
• Next, download and print our ultra-adorable dog Easter bunting. Hang it under trees, or drape across your party table. There are so many ways you can decorate with it!
• Charm every-bunny there with a super cute and easy Easter costume! Perfect for dogs, kids (and even us big kids!) check out our DIY Bunny Ears Headband tutorial – it takes just 2 minutes to make.

#3: Plant the treats

Give your pup a dog puzzle or slow feeder to keep them busy. Then, with your dog safely tucked away, hide some of their favourite dog treats throughout the yard.

Remember that hiding the treats is a fun way to stimulate your dog. So the trickier hiding spots you find, the better! If your dog has a ‘dig’ area or sandpit, try burying some of the more durable treats deep in there to keep them busy.

Another handy tip is to count the amount of treats you’ve hidden, to make sure they’re all found and eaten.

You don’t want leftover treats luring in other visitors to your yard!

#4: Release the hounds!

Let the fun begin! Release your pup and watch them search for all the yummy Easter dog treats you’ve hidden.

You might have to help your pup find the first treat so they can sniff it out and get the hang of the game.

And if you’re hosting a dog-friendly Easter Egg hunt with other pooches, make sure there is plenty of space for them all to explore without being on top of eachother!

Safety tips for your dog easter egg hunt:

• This one’s simple, but it needs to be said – if you’re hosting your dog-friendly Easter egg hunt at home, make sure you have a fenced-in yard.
• Don’t overdo the dog treats. Just like us humans, too many treats is never a good thing!
• If you’re having a children’s Easter egg hunt, do this at a separate time to ensure no dogs accidentally eat the kids treats, and vice versa.
• Take your dog for a walk afterwards to make sure they burn off the treats and enjoy some quality time with you.
• Again, never ever feed your dog human chocolate. This includes Easter eggs of course!

Happy hunting – wishing you all a fun dog-friendly Easter!