When the holidays roll around and the gifts start piling up under the tree, we often suddenly realize that maybe we shouldn’t leave Rover and Fluffy out of the gift-giving fun. In fact, a survey by petMD found that 86% of pet owners include their furry friends in the holiday present exchange. But what to get as gifts for your pet? Sure the standard bone or mouse will probably suffice, but those don’t seem very exciting.
Here’s a list of holiday gifts for your dog or cat (or other pet!) that are sure to please both you and your furry pal:
Dog Treat Launcher: this amazing contraption holds a handful of small treats, and upon the press of a button launches one through the air for your eager pup to catch (if he can!). Available at a variety of major retailers for under $10, including The Container Store.
Yoga Mat for Cats: Ok, yes, this one does sound a little far-fetched but if you’ve ever tried to do yoga with your feline hanging around, you’ll understand what a great idea this is as a cat gift. The catnip toy keeps kitty’s interest while you focus on your own Asanas.
Winter Coats for Dogs. Baxter Boo has a really cute selection of coats for dogs so your pet will be ready for snow, rain, or just to look cute!
Sherpa Puff Ball Pet Bed: this deliciously soft and squishy mini beanbag from Brookstone is the perfect cat gift. The zippered Sherpa cover means cleaning will be a breeze. You’ll probably wish this was made in your size.
Boutique Dog Treats: customized treats like the ones from Bing’s Bark Bakery that say “Top Dog” are not your normal dog gift. Super tasty and super cute, you might want to share these with dog-loving friends. Your dog may object, though.
Catnip Caves: though the name sounds big and fancy, these are merely catnip-infused versions of your feline’s favorite hiding spot – yup, paper bags. The catnip keeps them interested and the bag, well, no explanation needed. All cat owners understand the paper bag. Available through Amazon.
Small Pet Critter Cruiser: the whole family will get a kick out of the gerbil or hamster taking a cruise in this pink running wheel mounted on top of a pink sports car. This clever contraption is from PetSmart.
Silk Dog Collar: for a dog gift that both pampers your beloved pup and benefits a worthy cause, go for one of these colorful collars made of repurposed kimono and sari fabric. A percentage of the sales from these beautiful neckpieces goes to help fund therapy animal programs. Now that’s what we call a pet gift! Get these gorgeous accessories from shopnativedogs.com.
Luxury Leash: thanks to the advent of handcrafting retail websites like Etsy.com, boutique pet gifts are easy to obtain and can be fairly affordable. Leashes come in a variety of materials, including leather, are usually customizable for length and other features, and best of all are unique – no more plain big box store leash like every other Joe Smith Pet Owner has! We like the ones shown from PupPanache on Etsy.
No matter what you decide on as a gift for your pet this holiday season, they will still love you just as much. And that’s the real gift.
