Plan a Pet-Friendly Movie Night

Want to plan a night of movies, snacks and more with some furry friends? We've got the perfect ideas for a pet-friendly movie night right here. Want ideas for great animal movies? Check out Animal Planet Top 10 Animal Movies of All Time.

RSVP
Location is Everything
Be Seated
Let There Be Treats
Looking Good, Feeling Good
Shopping Resources

RSVP
Consider the guest list. A good mix will include dogs familiar with one another as well as a few new friends. Just make sure that all guests — people and canine alike — are comfortable in new settings and enjoy meeting new dogs. It'll take some advance planning but make the invitations special by getting dog biscuits or treats made with the words "Woofie Night" and pop the treat in the mail along with the invite. Or take a photo of your pet(s) -- like the family holiday greeting card -- and send them out as the invitations. (Kodakgallery.com and Shutterfly.com are both great options.)

Location Is Everything
An indoor/outdoor setup is the key to a successful movie night for pets and people alike. Since it'll probably be evening, decorate the yard with twinkly lights for festive flair and get the party started outside. With more room to roam, it's the best place to introduce pets to each other and minimize territorial stress. Kick up the fun by bringing home a flashing or glow-in-the-dark ball and lead the pack in a rousing game of fetch before popping in the first flick. When it comes to well-behaved pets, exercise is half the battle. (Nature will probably call. Don't forget to stock the area with plenty of water dishes and bring out the plastic bags.)

Be Seated
When you're ready to bring the party -- and the pack -- inside, make sure there is plenty of space for dogs to sit near owners. Whether it's chairs for people and floor space for pets, you may need to rearrange a little. Invite owners to BYOC, i.e., "bring your own cushion" (for fluffier comfort).

Let There Be Treats
Popcorn and candies for people. Plenty of delicious snacks for pets but no chocolate ... ever. Order treats ahead of time from a doggie bakery (Three Dog Bakery has many locations and a great Web site), go with Greenies, or make your own. To be on the safe side, go organic if you can. By all means bring a Kong toy for every pooch, stuffed with cheese, peanut butter, bread or another treat -- make it more fun by coordinating the pet treats with what the humans are eating. Most importantly, be sure to have more than enough to go around!

Looking Good, Feeling Good
Make it a costume party. The pet with the best-looking getup reminiscent of a movie wins! Have separate prizes for best costume based on a comedy, drama, cartoon and more.