| Everything But A Partridge in the Pear Tree: Holiday Gifts for Pets |
| Written by Steve Dale | |
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Here are some new holiday gift ideas. (Don’t let your pet read this – you want this to be a surprise)  photo by Dr. Sheldon Rubin
As real light bulbs don’t make for an appropriate holiday snack, the same is true for real turkey legs. But a hard rubber Turkey Chew is safe, and yummy if you happen to stick some peanut butter inside, $9 to $15, from www.dogmt.com. Oye-vay, those holidays are a pain in the rear for those anti social dogs who don’t like the commotion. Those dogs are perfectly suited to receive a plush Tuchis donkey toy for Hanukah. There’s also Shlep the camel plush toy and the squeaky Mensch Chewish toy who wears a great big smile. These three toys are $9.99 (a piece); available at www.just4pooches.com, 866-895-4364, and boutique pet stores. It’s tough, it’s rough, the Combat Squeaker bone dog toy from the Bamboo Co. is specifically designed for small dogs and puppies, and it floats. It comes in a two-pack set, one bone toy is in a fun tropical print and the other is a holiday snowflake theme, $4.99, online and in stores.
Most toys aren’t purchased to immediately be ripped apart – but that’s what parrots love to do. Candy cane, Santa, and Driedel Polly Wanna piñatas are filled with a mix of banana chips, raisins, pineapple & papaya; each $9 at www.fetchitpets.com, or 805-373-0311.
Men may train dogs, but often it’s the women who train men – train them to think about the gift of jewelry being essential for any occasion. So, why not present your dog with bling for the holidays? Lots of offerings at Phoebe’s Phasions (cq) include red and white beads with a snowman charm, $16 or a necklace of cracked crystal beads with red and green snowball beads, $20. Available on line at www.phoebesphashions.com (866-748-4852). Wearing new baubles, you’ve got to look and sniff your best. A holiday gift pack includes Merry Berry shampoo and conditioner, and Cool Yule freshener and detangler (all products are DEA-free, pH balanced and environmentally safe), $11.99 from pet stores, www.pet-living.com/vetbasis/index.htm, or call 888-414-7387. ‘Tis the season for your dog to party – but in the north those paws can get wet, and ice-balls might form in the pads. Check out what the manufacturer maintains is the world’s only disposable rubber dog boot. No zippers, no straps, and the rubber prevents Fido from slipping on the ice. Also, a great idea for those working search and rescue dogs. Prices range from $6 to $8 for a box of a dozen. A list of retail outlets is at www.pawsdogboots.com, or call 917-602-5731.
Ferrets should also dress for the holidays. A ferret Santa suit (attaches with Velcro straps) includes a matching hat, $14.50 at www.ferretstore.com, at pet stores, or call 888-833-7738. Eat It
For Kosher pets, check out the Kosher Pet’s Hanukah dog treats, complete with extra olive virgin oil (apparently for Kosher pets who like an Italian flair), $9; online and in selected pet stores. Sending a greeting card to a pet, well, it’s thoughtful. Sending a Crunchkins Cards shows you really care. Who needs to read when you have an edible 100 per cent rawhide card; $4.95, www.crunchkins.com or 760-328-1799. Read about more products and pet news at www.appma.org. |
It’s shocking news, holiday lights your pet can play safely with. In fact, they may be unsafe for you – they smell so good, you might even want to chew on this candy cane smelling Orbee-Tuff Bulb. It looks like a Christmas tree light, except it’s a dog toy you can drop treats in. Available in red, green and white (the white glows in the dark – which may help Santa to find his way); $9.95 and at most pet stores and 
If you’re unsure about how frogs are connected to Christmas (Muppet movies perhaps?), this cheerful little frog (dog) toy ribbits "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" whenever he's squeezed, $13.50 at 
Cats deserve toys toy for the holidays too; this one is a reindeer with a red nose, black antlers and a pouch for stuffing catnip inside, $5.50 at 
You don’t want your pets to tear up their Christmas stockings. These stockings are literally works of art from Stephen Huneck’s Gallery. There are several whimsical choices, for example, a depiction of a Labrador saying ‘hi’ to Santa by sniffing at a personal place; and that stocking reads, “Seasons Greetings.” Hope Santa isn’t offended. Stockings are $24 a piece; 
Pink isn’t your typical holiday color, but it is, after all, trendy. Dress your pooch for the holidays with a knit winter hat with embroidered snowflakes. Aside pretty in pink, light blue for Hanukah and Christmas red hats are available in various sizes, $14.99. Available at pet stores, 
There’s nothing quite like turkey and cranberries for the holidays. Sadly, dogs choke each year on splintered turkey bones, but this turkey is safe and specifically for dogs. Real Food Toppers offers 100 per cent natural freeze dried turkey with cranberries, without any artificial ingredients. Other flavors include Pure Chicken Breast, Pure Wild Salmon, Pure Beef Liver and Country Pot Pie. Each 4 oz re-sealable bag re-hydrates to about one pound of fresh, real food by simply adding water; each is $14.99. Sold at independent pet retailers, at | < Prev | Next > |
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