I have always adored my animals and I have a dog and a cat at the present time however over the years I have several dogs and cats and every holiday season it seems only fair that the animals should be including in the holiday.
Gift giving to one of your pets isn’t for everyone but I have always made sure they get some kind of new bone, toy or other item that they would like.
Here are just a few ideas that I hope will help you this holiday season and many seasons to follow.
For your canine friend there are a ton of items ranging from toys to snacks and of course their favorite meal selections.
My dogs have always loved a variety of chew toys, squeaky toys and they now have toys that you can stuff with peanut butter for the dog to really enjoy getting a treat from. They also love snacks there are dietary concerns with any food or snack that you would give your pet however dogs love chew bones, rawhides, canine made cookies and other nibbles that are made with good tasting ingredients that your dog will enjoy. I usually buy the natural ones because I feel the cheap and off brand ones don’t give any nutritional value. Another popular item is soft bedding, blankets, brushes, leads and other items that your dog will enjoy.
My feline friends have for the most part enjoyed the same kind of items but here are some examples. Picky eaters have their preferences when it comes to snacks and food items however I am sure you have already found what your cat enjoys but at Christmas time it is always good to get them a few newer ones and try to introduce them to little nibbles of things they haven’t tried. Toys filled with catnip are good gift giving for you cat. Not to mention, cats love toys with feathers and smells. My cat has a fancy for small balls but of course so does my dog. They both seem to love laser tag also so getting a small laser light is a great way for them to run and get some exercise. Cats also love grooming items and mitts and combs are a favorite, along with beds and cat trees so they can climb.
I recently got my dog a small little version of a four poster bed; it was of course nabbed by my cat who weighs in at a very obese 20lbs. My dog on the other hand is only 10 lbs. So that was an easy fight for my cat to win.
I think people with animals typically do spoil them; however there isn’t anything wrong with a little love and attention. My kids have even bought my dog outfits that he isn’t that interested in wearing but makes for cute pictures anyway. For the most part your pets will enrich your life in many ways and the whole idea is that you in turn must enrich their lives. Don’t overly spoil and lavish your pet because they would prefer the attention more than any toy or munchable. Remember indoor pets need exercise so take them for walks and allow them outside time to run and exercise. Cats have sedimentary lives and like mine is a great example with age they tend to pack on pounds for sheer lack of exercise but we are trying to work on his diet and the laser tag comes in handy also.
Take your canine friend to do activities with you they love the beach, dog parks, neighborhood functions like outside street fairs and walking along store fronts. The more you socialize your pet the better for their well being and likewise you will have one on one time with them. Cats are more independent animals however they also love bonding time and are easily trained when worked with often.
Other pets have needs and likes and dislikes. I think that most any animal lover and owner knows his/her pet and their favorite things. Just as birds like to be talked to and horses love to be brushed.
Remember also safety is of utmost important when dealing with walks. If your dog is not good with kids or other pets always maintain good control over their surroundings. If your cat is not good with birds or other small animals always take that into consideration when purchasing other animals for your household.
Most safety tips can be found on the internet or at the Humane Society. The main safety tip is to remember that you know your pet and you must be a responsible pet owner at all times.
References for this article include: Humane Society, Doctors Foster and Smith and PETCO.
