Holiday Gift Guide: Pet Edition
December is here and the holidays are quickly approaching. I have always loved making sure my pets are part of the holiday festivities. One of my favorite memories is watching my childhood dog, Belle, open her box of milk bones Christmas morning. Santa always wrapped her gift and left it under the tree for her to find & unwrap (which was very entertaining)! With 3 dogs and 2 cats, it is difficult to come up with unique gift ideas for them each year so I put together a list of gift ideas for your fur baby. Enjoy!
1. Toys
Whether your dog is a working dog and could use a new training dummy or you have a senior pet that enjoys carrying a stuffed animal around, they will be thrilled to have a new toy this holiday season. I personally love the pre-packaged stockings for cats that come with a variety of toys and some even include treats.
2. Collar/leash
The holidays are a great time of the year to replace your pet’s collar, harness, and/or leash. Consider one of the new smart collars with GPS tracking technology, or find a simple collar with a fun design.
3. Sweater
In addition to a new collar, I love buying sweaters for both my dogs and cats. Bodie, my 11 year old lab, does get chilly and really enjoys a sweater in the winter. There are so many cute options and usually I purchase the dog small size for my cats.
4. Dog DNA test
If you have a mixed breed dog, DNA tests are such a fun way to learn more about your fur baby! I love guessing which breeds a dog consists of and having my clients relay their DNA test findings.
5. Self-cleaning litter box
Focusing on cats here (and maybe some smaller breed dogs), these litter boxes are a great addition. No one enjoys scooping and cleaning litterboxes, and these also cut down on odor significantly. Some are even Wi-Fi enabled!
6. Treats
My favorite gift to give to human or animal! I love finding homemade treats sold by small businesses with limited ingredients. I usually pick up some from my local Farmer’s Market but many can be found at Whole Foods and even Etsy.
7. Bed
There are so many different pet beds out there and despite purchasing several for my cats, they always choose my bed or the sofa. For my older lab, he has a high end memory foam bed that he loves. It gives support to his joints and has bolstered edges for him to snuggle up against. My recommendation for dog beds: make sure the cover is removable and washable.
8. Water Fountain
If you don’t already have this for your cat, you need to consider adding one to your home. Cats naturally prefer to drink running water so if there is a fountain present, they are likely to increase their water intake which helps to prevent health issues like urinary tract disease. Dogs enjoy them too!
9. Veterinary clinic gift certificate
What better gift to give than your pet’s health? Gift certificates can be used for anything from nail trims to medications to sick visits and diagnostics such as bloodwork and x-rays.
10. Quality time together
All the toys and treats are fun and enjoyable, but what your pet really wants is time with you. Take time to connect with your fur baby: go on a long walk or hike. Play fetch or just spend some extra time cuddling on the couch. This time of the year can be busy and distracting, but our animals are a great source of relief from all of the holiday stress.
I hope you found an idea or two for gifting your fur baby this holiday season, but most importantly know that you are all they need and spending time together is what the holidays are all about!
– Leigh Hofmeister, DVM