Adding a birthday to the Google Birthday calendar who isn't a contact

I about tore my hair out over this same issue, but finally figured out an easy work around for it that can be done in Google Calendar either on a PC or an Android phone.

On Android phone: Create an event, e.g., "Fido's Birthday." Then go to that event and tap to open edit. Under the date and time you will see "Does not repeat." Tap that. You can change it to repeat annually. Save, and... Voila!

On Google Calendar on a PC, same thing. Create the birthday as a one day event, then go back in to edit it. Right under the date and time (upper left) you will see check boxes for either "all day" or "Repeat." Check "Repeat" and use the drop down menu to select "Yearly." Save, and you're done.

Your dog's birthday is now on your Google Calendar. :-)

If you want someone to show up on Google's Birthday calendar, they have to be a contact. https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/calendar/zrmzE_ZlGbY