Its holiday gift giving time and of course you don’t want to leave your animal companion out of all the fun. But are you wondering what to get for the animal who has everything? Read on for some ideas that are sure to leave your furry friend feeling merry and bright.
The first step to picking out the perfect gift for your favorite animal is the same as the first step in shopping for your favorite person. Ask yourself: what is my animal’s personality? What do they love to do? What are some of their favorite things? An energetic puppy is going to love a different gift than a slowing down senior dog. So look through the following suggestions to find the gifts that will be right for your animal.
Old Standbys
Walk into any pet store and you’ll find an array of toys for all kinds of animals. Tug toys, balls, chase toys, squeak toys, and crinkle toys are great choices to keep your animal busy having fun. Make sure to buy the right size and type for your animal for safety.
Brain Toys
Interactive puzzle toys are fun and stimulating for animals, giving them a good brain workout while they play. Drop treats inside the puzzle and let your animal figure out how to get them out. These come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, so make sure you get one that works for your animal’s size and personality.
Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are the gift that keeps on giving all year round. Every month, a new box full of toys and treats will arrive at your door to thrill your animal companion and keep her from getting bored. This is also a great way to replace old, worn out toys that may be loved but have been chewed to the point of being a choking hazard. There are a variety of subscription boxes to choose from, so shop around to find the one that is right for you.
Homemade Toys
Before you throw away worn out clothes or household goods, try to see them through your animal’s eyes. Those old jeans look like a great chew toy when cut into strips, braided, and knotted. Tough denim can keep even the strongest chewer occupied for hours. You may see leftover yarn from a knitting project, but your cat sees something fun to pounce and chase. Make chase more interesting for your dog by cutting a hole in an old ball (tennis or lacrosse balls work well) and threading a rope through the hole. Your dog will have a ball he can chase as well as a tug toy for a game with you. If you’re extra handy, you even can build your own dog agility toy out of old PVC pipes. Maybe make a few shapes and set up a dog obstacle course in your yard.
Safety Items
These may not be as fun for your animal, but they are still important items for her to have. A warm sweater and booties can keep your animal safe in cold weather, tags are vital to bringing her home in case they get lost, and a reflective or light up collar will make them easier to spot in the shorter days of winter.
Treats
We all indulge in some extra treats during the holidays, so why not let your animal companion in on the fun? Just be sure that the treats are healthy and wholesome. And don’t overdo it. You don’t want to give your animal the gift of a larger waistline. We love giving our cats and dogs Earth Animal’s No-Hide® Chews for hours of safe chewing fun. Earth Animal’s Chicken Cutlets with Brushed-On Benefits® give our animals a delicious treat that is also healthy and provides extra goodness from Agility to Calm and just about everything in between.
These ideas are sure to give your pet a happy holiday, but the best gift of all is spending lots of time with you. So after all the gift giving is over, be sure to cuddle up with your animal and enjoy the special bond you share with your best furry friend.
