Holiday Gift Guidance: Buying Gifts for Dogs, Cats and Birds

Tis the season to shop for your pet, and I can think of a few shop-a-holics including myself who love to buy gifts for their adorable animals. With five dogs, two cats and two birds, I have had a lot of experience on the subject. So, before browsing the great selection of pet gifts online, think about toys for your pet’s size, breed and personality.

Giving Your Dog a Gift

If you want to buy a gift that a dog can really enjoy, then consider a toy. Puppies like toys that are cuddly and soft or toys that they can really chew on or carry. For them, purchase a Holiday Gift Pack like the ones at PetSmart. 

For adolescent canines, purchase toys that can stimulate them like busy box toys that release treats like new Premier’s Rip ‘N Tug toy lined with fabric fastener that the dog can rip into. Inside is a pouch that can be filled with Fido's favorite treats. 

For breeds that like to chew, Jax & Bones Good Karma Rope Toys are a blessing. 

For Retrievers that like to fetch or Terriers that like to play shake and kill games, Flappy Dog Toys are the great choice for all dogs because they come in unique fabrics for different activities (like for cuddling, chewing or crinkling) and feature a size for every breed!

Senior dogs like to lounge, so a Crypton orthopedic bed or Throver is the pawfect choice.

Giving Your Cat a Gift

For cats, purchase toys that enhance your feline’s natural instincts to hide, run, chase, bat, scoop, pounce and jump, like Neko Flies Holiday Gift Pack. Your cat can be gifted with a 22’’rod with a Kragonfly attachment and a Kittycada attachment.  

Additionally, l am purchasing Eco-Pouncers (wooly mice) from Honest Pet Products around the house. I like to hide them and have my cats hunt them down. By doing this, you are helping nurture the skills which make your cats great hunters, and are also keeping them happy and fit.

For cats that need to keep busy while you sleep, consider the Our Pets At Night Toys. They light-up and can keep your pets busy for hours without interrupting your night’s sleep. 

Every cat needs an active center, so this year my two Himalayans will receive the PurrTreesort, a beautifully designed replica of a tree which they can climb.

Giving Your Bird a Gift

Toys bring fun and exercise to a bird’s cage. Rope toys come in all sizes, but make sure your feathered friend has his nails trimmed regularly to prevent accidents from happening from snagged rope.

Good choices for large birds include sturdy, un-dyed or vegetable-colored wooden toys strung on closed-link chains or tanned leather thongs and rope tops. (Check out these custom-made toys here.) Mirrors, not recommended for larger pet birds because they may easily break them, are great for smaller birds who can easily become enamored with their handsome reflection. 

When buying the perfect presents for pets, purchase gifts that are suitable, safe and fun. Happy holidays!