Christmas time can be confusing for pets, they don't comprehend the meaning of gift giving and with the house full of extra people they can get confused and anxious. However, by selecting a few appropriate gifts you can make both a dog and a dog lover very happy. Here are my gift suggestions for 2011. I'm providing links to sources, but many of these can also be found at your local pet retailer.
The most important thing you can give a dog is something that they will enjoy and that's good for them.
- A Kong is my favorite Christmas gift. (And every owner will need it come April when my book comes out full of creative Kong stuffings.) Kongs are a hard rubber toy that encourage a dog to chew providing mental stimulation and a side dish of dental hygiene. http://www.kongcompany.com/
- Deer Antlers: I'm still stuck on chewing. This is a great treat harvested from deers that have left them behind in the forest. A little softer than bones so they are less likely to crack teeth but still provide hours of chewing. My only suggestion is to buy larger than you think you'll need. http://tinyurl.com/7jkvr44
- Bamboo Toys: These are longer lasting toys that are good for tug of war, fetch or just lounging and chewing. http://tinyurl.com/7kzfffm.
- Treats: My only caution here is to buy treats that are made in the USA. Please do not buy the duck or chicken strips made in China as over 70 pets have recently died after consuming these products. I found some great rolled, longer lasting treats last week at Trader Joe's that were made in the USA.
- A comfy bed: LL Bean makes some of the nicest beds with a wide assortment. They also have free shipping and are currently offering a $10 gift card when you spend $50. http://tinyurl.com/llbeanbeds
- Raised feeding stations are great for larger breed dogs and senior dogs. We have one that stores dry food in the base that is not only functional, it looks great. Here's a great one from Cabela's http://tinyurl.com/dogfeedingstation
- Placemats: also at LL Bean are the waterhog placemats that can be personalized. These are helpful for dogs that tend to dribble all over the floor.
For dog owners you might consider the following gifts:
- Lights that can attach to leashes will help keep both your friends and their dogs safe while we're waiting for the dogs to get longer.
- If you know somebody who likes to hike or camp, check out the collapsible dog bowls at REI. http://www.rei.com/category/40003712
- Is your friend's Christmas sweater covered in dog fur? Check out the furminator that helps eliminate the undercoat and reduces the amount of hair dogs shed. We have one and I cannot believe how much hair I can get out of Raleigh and Chloe. (It's not so useful for dogs like our Chihuahua, Duncan.) http://www.furminator.com/?gclid=CKSvi6rw-6wCFWU0Qgod7xiQSQ
The one thing your dog wants more than any gift is to spend time with you and to explore the neighborhood. So when you finish up your Christmas shopping, take some time to admire the Christmas lights in your neighborhood and take your dog for a long walk.
Happy Holidays from our pack to yours. (The picture above is Baxter trying on Duncan's homemade sweater.)
For more information about Santa Paws is coming to town go to this article more about Santa Paws is coming to town
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