Gift ideas for pets
And a few thoughts for the human companions
NEW YORK — More than half of dog owners and nearly 40 per cent of cat owners buy their pets gifts for Christmas or Hanukkah, says the American Pet Products Association. Some ideas: n Pet Toys: Flatties, some that squeak, are always popular, said Mardi Larson, a spokeswoman for PetSmart. And they can be cheap. For the holidays, PetSmart has some with Christmas motifs, like a bright green dinosaur in a Santa cap.
“Pets just love to destroy their toys. Flatties are safe because they have no stuffing,” Larson said.
You can’t go wrong with balls. Lots of balls. Or go for durable toys in sturdy nylon or rope. Consider safety in such things as sewn-on doodads or other swallowable bits.
n Pet Beds and Bedding: Face it, a pet’s bed is part of home decor. You might as well find one that looks reasonably good as a gift. Choose one with a holiday theme for an added festive feel.
PetSmart.com has beds, cosy blankets and toys at all price points.
Oprah chose as one of her Favourite Things of 2016 the Charles Fradin Home Customizable Pet Blanket. It’s a 60-by-54-inch, microfleece printed with an original hand-drawn image of said pet. Head to Amazon.
n For Humans: Gift your animal-loving human a paw pendant, or head to one of the sites that will customize using a pet’s actual paw, including 4pawsforever.org. At Uncommongoods.com, there’s a woman who will make you a pendant from a mould of your pet’s nose. Look for other customizables there, including pet portraits and pillows that look like your dog.
There are kits available for your pet lover to make a paw print mould to turn into a tree ornament or garden stone.
How about a throw? PetSmart.com has a red one selling strongly that’s emblazoned with: “I Just Want to Drink Wine & Pet My Dog.” US$29.99 At Originalterritory.com, there’s a 30-by-40-inch fleece that reads: “Naps are Better with a Dog.” US$19.99.
Friendshipcollar.com offers a collar for pets and matching bracelet for the human. In a range of designs and prices. n Pet Clothes: Widely available. PetSmart.com sells tiny Santa and elf looks for Guinea pigs, complete with pointy hats.
They’ve also got a Santa with snorkel and goggles for a fish tank, in place of fish attire.
n Cats and Dogs: How about a holiday scratcher, the one that looks like a Christmas tree or the one that looks like a sleigh at PetSmart? Lots of these things exist so don’t sweat it.
There’s one scratcher shaped like a DJ’s turntable that really spins. It’s adorned with stickers of cat smiley faces, paw prints, photos of fishshaped cat treats, and faux band stickers, including “RUN DOG.” Flat pack cardboard. No glue necessary for assembly. US$35. Widely available from a company called Suck UK. Search for DJ Cat Scratch Turntable.
Holiday stockings are a thing for pets, including one filled with cat balls that comes with a purple feather toy that’s part of the company’s holiday collection.
Another for dogs from PetSmart says: “Bones, Bones and more Bones!”
There are plenty of little sweaters and collars that are gifty, too, at just about any place that sells pet stuff. You don’t have to spend a lot.